The Dog Lover‘s Guide to Treating and Preventing Hot Spots
As a veterinarian and lifelong dog lover, I know firsthand how distressing it can be to see your beloved pup suffering from painful, oozing hot spots on their skin. Also known as acute moist dermatitis or pyotraumatic dermatitis, hot spots are localized areas of bacterial skin infection that arise when a dog‘s natural bacteria overpopulates irritated, inflamed skin. The resulting lesions can be very itchy, uncomfortable, and unsightly for your pooch.
If you‘ve ever dealt with hot spots before, you‘re not alone. Studies show that an estimated 1 in 4 dogs will develop at least one hot spot during their lifetime, with certain breeds like Golden Retrievers, Labradors, and Rottweilers at increased risk. Fortunately, there are many safe and effective over-the-counter treatment options available to help soothe your dog‘s skin and promote rapid healing.
In this ultimate guide, I‘ll share everything you need to know about identifying, treating, and preventing hot spots in dogs. You‘ll learn about the most common underlying causes of these skin lesions, what signs to look for, when to see your vet, and my top product recommendations for fast, lasting relief. Armed with this information, you‘ll be well-equipped to keep your dog‘s skin and coat looking and feeling its best.
What Do Hot Spots Look Like?
Hot spots are fairly easy to recognize once you know what you‘re looking for. These skin lesions can pop up quickly and spread rapidly, so it‘s important to check your dog‘s skin daily and catch them early before they worsen.
Typical signs of hot spots include:
- Red, inflamed, moist patches of skin
- Oozing sores or scabbed-over lesions
- Localized hair loss over the irritated skin
- Excessive scratching, licking, chewing or rubbing at the affected area
- Crying out or wincing in pain when the hot spot is touched
- Unpleasant, pungent odor coming from the wound
Here are some photos showing what hot spots at various stages can look like:
[Insert photos of mild, moderate, and severe hot spots]Hot spots can develop anywhere on a dog‘s body, but most commonly appear on the:
- Legs
- Paws
- Flanks
- Hips
- Face, especially the cheeks or chin
- Rear end
- Tail base
While any dog can get hot spots, breeds with thick undercoats like Golden Retrievers, German Shepherds, Labradors, Rottweilers and Saint Bernards may be more prone to developing them. This is because dense undercoats can trap moisture and heat against the skin, creating an ideal environment for bacterial overgrowth.
What Causes Hot Spots in Dogs?
At their core, hot spots are caused by self-trauma – a dog licking, chewing, scratching or rubbing at their own skin to the point of creating an open, raw wound. But what triggers this self-destructive behavior in the first place?
There are many potential underlying causes of hot spots in dogs, including:
- Allergies (flea allergy dermatitis, food allergies, environmental allergies)
- Parasitic infections (fleas, ticks, mange mites)
- Moisture trapped in the coat (from swimming, bathing, or humid weather)
- Bacterial or yeast skin infections
- Pain (from insect bites, ear infections, anal gland disorders, arthritis, etc.)
- Boredom or stress that leads to excessive licking
Regardless of the inciting cause, all hot spots tend to follow the same progression. When a dog‘s skin becomes irritated, they start to lick, chew, or scratch at the bothersome spot for relief. However, this self-trauma just makes the skin increasingly more inflamed and itchy, leading to a vicious cycle known as the itch-scratch cycle.
As board-certified veterinary dermatologist Dr. Alice Jeromin explains, "A hot spot starts because something is irritating to the skin, but then it perpetuates because of the self-trauma. The dog licks because it‘s itchy, but the licking makes it itchier. It‘s a difficult cycle to break."
Without treatment, hot spots can rapidly worsen and spread as bacteria infect the raw, open skin and release irritating toxins. Some dogs can go from a small red bump to a large, oozing wound in a matter of hours. And if left unchecked, hot spots can occasionally progress to more serious staph or MRSA skin infections over time.
To avoid these complications, it‘s crucial to identify and treat hot spots as soon as you notice them developing on your dog. The faster you can intervene with soothing, antimicrobial therapies, the quicker your pup will feel better and heal.
How to Treat Hot Spots on Dogs at Home
The good news is, most mild to moderate hot spots respond well to prompt at-home treatment using over-the-counter products. The goal is to soothe inflammation, combat bacterial overgrowth, and promote healing of damaged skin to break the itch-scratch cycle.
Here are some simple steps to treat uncomplicated hot spots at home:
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Trim the hair around the hot spot with clean grooming clippers, so you can better visualize the entire lesion and allow topical medications to penetrate properly.
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Clean the hot spot with a gentle antiseptic solution like chlorhexidine or betadine. You can also try rinsing with mild saltwater to disinfect the area. Pat dry.
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Apply an over-the-counter hot spot treatment to the lesions as directed. Look for products that contain soothing, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory ingredients such as:
- Hypochlorous acid (Vetericyn)
- Chlorhexidine (Curaseb)
- Hydrocortisone (Vet‘s Best, Zymox)
- Aloe vera (Bodhi Dog)
- Calendula (ResQ Organics)
- Manuka honey (ResQ Organics)
- Essential oils like tea tree or lavender (Vet‘s Best)
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Place an e-collar or inflatable collar on your dog to prevent them from licking the hot spot and disrupting healing. You can also try covering the area with a light, breathable bandage.
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Continue applying the hot spot treatment 2-3 times daily until the lesion has fully healed. Healing often occurs within 7-10 days with diligent care.
In addition to using topical treatments, there are several other natural remedies you can try at home to soothe your dog‘s hot spots:
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Apply a cool compress: Wet a clean washcloth with cold water and hold it against the irritated skin for 5-10 minutes several times a day. This can help reduce inflammation and itching.
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Brew an oatmeal bath: Grind up plain oatmeal into a fine powder and sprinkle it into a lukewarm bath. Let your dog soak for 10-15 minutes, then rinse and dry them thoroughly. The oatmeal helps soothe irritated skin.
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Use coconut oil: Gently rub a small amount of 100% virgin, cold-pressed coconut oil onto the hot spots once or twice a day. Coconut oil has natural antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.
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Make a manuka honey salve: Mix together equal parts manuka honey and coconut oil, and dab a thin layer onto the hot spots 2-3 times daily. Manuka honey is known for its potent antimicrobial activity.
While these DIY remedies can be used in conjunction with OTC medications for an extra boost, they shouldn‘t completely replace veterinary treatment for large or deeply infected hot spots.
With any at-home hot spot treatment, it‘s important to monitor your dog‘s skin closely for improvement. Hot spots should start to visibly heal within a few days. If the lesions continue to worsen or spread despite your best efforts, it‘s time to see your veterinarian for stronger interventions.
Top OTC Hot Spot Treatments for Dogs
To save you time and guesswork, I‘ve compiled a list of my top 7 over-the-counter hot spot treatments for dogs. The following products have a proven track record of quickly and effectively soothing inflamed skin, fighting bacteria, and promoting healing. Here‘s how they compare:
| Product | Active Ingredients | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vetericyn Plus | Hypochlorous acid | Non-stinging, safe if ingested | None |
| Vet‘s Best | Hydrocortisone, tea tree oil, aloe | All-natural, anti-itch | Strong odor |
| Curaseb | Chlorhexidine, ketoconazole | Combats bacterial/yeast infection | Can be drying |
| Zymox | Hydrocortisone, enzymes | No antibiotics needed | More expensive |
| Vet Formula | Hydrocortisone, lidocaine | Numbs pain fast | Contains alcohol |
| Bodhi Dog | Aloe, neem, calendula | Organic, non-irritating | May not work for infection |
| ResQ Organics | Manuka honey, coconut oil | Soothes & moisturizes | Messy to apply |
As a veterinarian, my personal favorite is the Vetericyn Plus Antimicrobial Hot Spot Spray. This revolutionary product contains hypochlorous acid, a safe yet potent antimicrobial agent produced naturally by the immune system. Hypochlorous acid has been shown to kill a wide range of bacteria, viruses and fungi on contact, without harming healthy tissue.
I love that Vetericyn is completely non-toxic and won‘t sting or burn even the most inflamed skin. It‘s also safe to use around the eyes, ears, and mouth, making it ideal for treating facial hot spots. And because it‘s tasteless and odorless, you don‘t have to worry if your dog licks the product off their fur. With daily use, most of my patients‘ hot spots dry up and resolve within one week.
Another product I frequently recommend is Zymox Enzymatic Hot Spot Gel for hot spots that aren‘t responding to gentler treatments. Zymox contains a potent combination of natural enzymes that destroy the cell walls of bacteria to combat stubborn infections. The 1% hydrocortisone also helps reduce redness and inflammation to soothe your dog‘s itchy, angry skin.
The unique enzyme technology is highly effective against hot spots without the need for harsh antibiotics or steroids. The only downside is that Zymox tends to be pricier than other OTC options, but most dog owners agree the fast results are worth the cost.
At the end of the day, the "best" hot spot treatment is the one that works for your individual dog with minimal side effects. It may take some trial and error to find the best formula for your pup, but rest assured, relief is possible with consistency and care.
When to See Your Vet for Hot Spots
As a rule of thumb, it‘s always best to have your dog evaluated by a veterinarian at the first sign of hot spots. Even if you plan to treat the lesions at home, your vet can confirm the diagnosis, rule out any concurrent skin diseases, and guide you towards the most appropriate OTC therapies.
However, there are certain situations where you should seek immediate veterinary care for your dog‘s hot spots. Call your vet right away if you notice any of these red flags:
- Hot spots that are very deep, painful, or bleeding excessively
- Lesions that are rapidly worsening or spreading despite at-home treatment
- Green, yellow, or foul-smelling discharge oozing from the sores
- Excessive hair loss, crusting, or flaking of skin around the hot spots
- Fever, lethargy, decreased appetite, or other signs of systemic illness
- Hot spots that develop in the same areas repeatedly (may indicate an underlying allergy)
Your vet can prescribe stronger medications like oral antibiotics, anti-itch drugs, and anti-inflammatory pills to clear the infection from the inside out. In severe cases, sedation may be necessary to safely clip and clean large or exceptionally painful hot spots. Your vet can also run tests like skin scrapings or blood work to uncover allergies, hormone imbalances, or other health conditions that could be contributing to your dog‘s skin issues.
The Bottom Line
As a veterinarian and fellow dog lover, I know firsthand how upsetting it can be to see your furry friend suffering from hot spots. These itchy, oozing skin infections are not only unsightly, but downright painful and irritating for your pup.
The good news is, hot spots often clear up quickly with prompt treatment using over-the-counter topical therapies. By taking a proactive approach with daily grooming, skin checks, and addressing any underlying issues, you can keep your dog‘s skin and coat healthy, comfortable, and free of dreaded hot spots.
When in doubt, don‘t hesitate to call your trusted veterinarian for guidance. Together, you can develop a customized treatment plan that works best for your unique pup. With a little extra TLC and the right tools in your arsenal, you can help your dog feel better and get back to living their best life by your side.
