How to Treat Dog Hotspots

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     Dog hotspots normally occur when your dog continuously licks, bites and worries at one particular area of his body. Common causes of this are flea or insect bites that are irritating your dog or, if the skin gets wet or grazed, bacteria can get in starting off an infection. Also, if your dog does not have enough zinc in its skin, he will also be more susceptible to infection.

Dog hotspots are not lethal but can be irritating, uncomfortable and painful for your dog and, if not treated in time will only get worse. Symptoms include constant chewing, biting and licking, hair falling out, red, weepy areas that may exude pus. They are more common on dogs with longer hair; this is because moisture gets trapped next to the skin and can dry up in clumps, causing itchy areas that your dog will want to get rid of.

Treating hotspots is not difficult and is not a long term job. Depending on how quickly you spot the problem depends on how much treatment your dog will require. Firstly you need to ensure the affected area is clear of any loose hair and dirt. Clip the hair around the affected area and wash the wound gently with cool water. Gently pat dry, do not rub as this will hurt your dog.

Use a medicated shampoo on your dog twice a week. Look for one that contains colloidal oatmeal and oils such as Aloe Vera, spearmint, tea tree, or lavender as these are proven to have a beneficial effect on your dog's skin. This will help to sooth the irritated area helping it to heal up and will lessen the chance of further infection.

In between baths you should use a topical treatment on the area of the hotspot. Again, look for something with the above ingredients. As these are natural ingredients and are gentle on your dog's skin they are ideal for everyday use. Also look for product that include Zinc PCA as this is excellent in helping your dog's skin to repair. You may also need to purchase a cone for your dog to wear to stop him from attacking the affected area further.

Your dog should be groomed 2 or 3 times per week, especially if it is long haired. This will remove any dead skin and loose hairs that may cause the irritation. This also serves to distribute the oil secreted by the sebum glands evenly through the coat of your dog, ensuring that it doesn't dry in clumps on his skin causing further irritation and infection.

Adding extra enzymes and nutrients to your dog's food will also help his skin to repair and build up against further infection. You can purchase combination packs that include a shampoo, topical treatment and an enzyme formulation for his food. Using a complete combination like this will ensure that your dog receives the best treatment for his condition and ensures against future outbreaks. It also works out much cheaper to buy the products in this way.

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Are you looking for more information regarding dog hot spot treatment? Visit http://www.evolutionsupply.com/dog-hot-spots.html today!