The Dog Skin Problem That Is an Issue in the Summer

Have you ever heard of hot spots on dogs? No, we are not talking about the fire hydrant or the dog run. Hot spots on dogs, also known as summer sores, is also called acute moist dermatitis, pyotraumatic dermatitis, and moist eczema.

Hot spots are a nuisance

According to PetMD, hot spots on dogs "can seemingly appear spontaneously anywhere on a dog's body; the surrounding area can rapidly deterioriate too." In addition, "this moist, raw skin disorder has a variety of causes but the most consistent factor is bacteria."

The hot spots often occur when your pet licks, scratches, or picks at a particular part of his skin and fur excessively. This trauma can result in an infection, inflamed by bacteria. There is a reason for the moist in the acute moist dermatitis description. PetMD says that "anything that irritates or breaks the skin can create the environment for bacterial contamination if the surface of the skin has but only a little a bit of moisture on it."

The site says that some of the things that can add moisture include a bath, a swim, or walking in the rain. And guess what? There are plenty of opportunities for a dog to get wet in the summer, of course, being sweating in the heat, running through the sprinkler, or jumping in the pool.

Not only that, but the initial injury could be caused by a summertime related issue. For example, if a dog scratches at a flea or tick, they could get infected, and that could cause a hot spot. Other things that could cause the hot spot to start, according to Dr. Rose's Remedies, 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 will make a dog excessively scratch itself. This is similar to the way a human can get a bad infection on the skin by scratching an itch to excessive. Of course, many of the above-referenced issues are a factor in summer, of course.

What you can do to treat hot spots on dogs

The first step to do, whether it is yourself or the vet, is to shave or clip the affected area and give it air. It is also important to clip the fur because it could be getting matted and added to the infection. Then some sort of antiseptic cleaning material is used to clean the area. Sometimes the vet may give you some prescription product. If the hot spot is severe, and the dog keeps on licking it, you may have to put an Elizabethan collar on your dog to help the hot spots heal.

You may also want to use an at-home topical remedy to help the hot spots. There are a variety of natural salves and sprays that can potentially heal the spots. Good luck for you and your dog.