How Can I Treat My Dogs’ Hot Spots Naturally?

How does one treat a hot spot on a dog? Are there natural remedies for dog hot spots? These are some of the pressing questions on people’s minds today regarding their dogs and dog hot spots.

According to Small Animal Dermatology by Drs. Muller and Kirk, a hot spot on a dog is also called acute moist dermatitis, moist eczema, and pyotraumatic dermatitis. Acute moist dermatitis is an acute and painful inflammation which develops in a localized area and is the result of self-inflicted trauma to the skin. It involves a secondary bacterial infection which can be superficial or deep. Dog hot spots are fairly common and often occur over the rump area, although they can occur any where on the dog’s body. The condition exists in any breed but is more commonly seen in dense-coated breeds such as Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, Old English Sheepdogs, Collies, Newfoundlands, Saint Bernards and German Shepherds. Treating hot spots on dogs can be a challenge when looking for a dog hot spot natural remedy.

These skin lesions occur very rapidly and usually follow trauma to the skin that has some inciting cause. For example, a dog with flea bite allergies can start to lick and scratch and bite at an area until a hot spot develops. Other factors that can cause a dog hot spot to develop include insect bites, bee stings, tick bites, a skin cut, wound or abrasion, a skin parasite (mites), irritated anal sacs, contact dermatitis, or inhalant allergies. Basically, anything that causes the dog to start licking at itself in the same area of skin. This trauma results in a well demarcated area that is red, moist, painful, oozing and infected i.e. the term moist dermatitis. Acute means that it happens suddenly or recently. The area usually has hair loss as a result of the skin being licked at, scratched at or bitten at. Lesions that are not addressed immediately often become matted, crusty and very infected.

Another possible inciting cause of dog hot spots can have a behavioral origin. There are some dogs that become so bored or lonely or even stressed that they inflict damage onto themselves. Once again, the constant trauma of licking, scratching or biting causes the skin lesion to appear. This type of situation often requires the expertise of a veterinary animal behaviorist and needs to be addressed promptly as well.

HOW TO TREAT HOT SPOTS ON DOGS

Treating hot spots on dogs may involve a visit to the veterinarian. There your pet may be sedated or anesthetized in order to shave and clip the area of hair and evaluate the extent of the lesion. Often times the area becomes matted because of the dampness and pus and can be covering up a more extensive lesion. The area is then cleansed with an antiseptic solution and dried. Often times the veterinarian may prescribe oral antibiotics, topical sprays or salves, and/ or special shampoos. In very severe cases it may also be necessary to utilize an Elizabethan color to prevent the dog from getting to the area.

A natural remedy for dog hot spots that can be of benefit is Dr. Rose’s Remedies Skin Treatment Salve or Spray. It has anti-inflammatory properties, as well as, antibacterial and antiseptic effects. All the ingredients are natural and human grade. It contains no artificial preservatives or colorings and is steroid and gluten free. Cases have shown that it can also reduce itching. A natural remedy for dog hot spots is very hard to come by, but you are fortunate to have found the best natural topical remedy for dog hot spots! Treat dog hot spots with Dr. Rose’s Remedies Skin treatment Salve or Spray! Get some by clicking here.

NB: My approach to acute moist dermatitis (“hot spots”) is to treat the underlying immune hypersensitivity homeopathically. Species-appropriate nutritional support and adjunctive topical treatments such as Dr. Rose’s salve and spray are very useful.–Dr. Jeff