Hot spots on Dogs:Causes, Treatments &Prevention

Om din hund ständigt kliar, slickar eller biter på samma ställe, kan den ha en hot spot. Även känd som akut fuktig dermatit, hot spots är en hudsjukdom som påverkar hundar. Om de lämnas obehandlade kommer dessa besvärande sår att börja orsaka smärta och klåda, men med rätt vård kan de enkelt behandlas och förebyggas.

Fortsätt läsa för att lära dig mer om orsaker, symtom och tillgängliga behandlingar för hot spots på hundar.

Innehållsförteckning:

• Vad är hot spots?
• Hur ser en hot spot ut på en hund?
• Vad orsakar hot spots på hundar?
• Hur man behandlar hot spots på hundar
  • Hemkurer mot hotspots för hundar
  • När ska man söka veterinärvård
• Kostnad för behandling av hotspot för hund
• Hur man förhindrar hot spots på hundar
• Nyckel takeaways

Proffstips: Hot spots omfattas av vissa husdjursförsäkringsplaner, så länge de inte är ett redan existerande tillstånd. Det betyder att du kan få ersättning för egna utgifter för din hunds hot spot-behandling.

Vad är hot spots på hundar?

En het punkt, även känd som akut fuktig dermatit , är ett vanligt tillstånd hos hundar som orsakar inflammerad hud på grund av en underliggande irritation. När en hund slickar, biter eller kliar sig på en kliande het punkt, blir den inflammerade huden mottaglig för bakterieinfektioner och sekundära hälsoproblem. Hundar kan få hot spots när som helst, men de förekommer oftast under de varma sommarmånaderna - vilket är anledningen till att de ibland kallas "sommarsår".

Hot spots kan lätt spridas över en hunds kropp, så det är viktigt att känna igen symtomen så snart som möjligt. Även om såren i sig inte är smittsamma för människor eller andra hundar, kan den bakomliggande orsaken (parasit- och svampinfektioner) överföras mellan arter. Var därför noga med att kontakta din veterinär om du märker något utöver det vanliga på din hunds hud.

Hur ser en hot spot ut på en hund?

Till en början ser hot spots ut som små, röda hudfläckar men såren kan snabbt förstoras inom några dagar. Det drabbade området kan skada , soppa flytningar och i allvarliga fall blödning . Ytterligare tecken på en hot spot på hundar inkluderar svullnad, håravfall och smärta vid beröring.

Utseendet och storleken på hot spots varierar beroende på plats , som vanligtvis inkluderar nacken, ansiktets höfter eller lemmar. Akut dermatit kan uppstå var som helst på en hunds kropp, men tillståndet är särskilt utbrett i fuktiga områden som är benägna att få bakterieinfektioner.

Om din hund ständigt biter eller kliar sig på en viss plats, eller om du märker en fläck av irriterad hud som verkar knaprig eller inflammerad, ring din veterinär. Att kontakta din veterinär är ännu viktigare om det drabbade området blöder, ökar i storlek eller sipprar med färgade flytningar.

Vad orsakar hot spots på hundar?

Foderallergier kan stå för så många som 50 % av hundarnas hot spots , enligt de senaste uppskattningarna, men du måste prata med din veterinär för att avgöra vad som stör just din valp.

Andra vanliga orsaker till hot spots på hundar inkluderar :

• Loppor
• Insektsbett
• Parasiter (som ringorm och skabbkvalster)
• Säsongs- eller miljöallergier
• Jästinfektion
• Öroninfektion
• Analkörtelinflammation
• Atopisk dermatit
• Överdrivet slickande på grund av stress eller tristess
• A matted or dirty coat
• Moisture trapped within the coat (from bathing or swimming)

Any underlying condition that triggers excessive licking, scratching, or moisture build-up can cause hot spots on dogs. As little as 10 minutes of chewing is sufficient to create acute dermatitis.

Dog Breeds Prone to Hot Spots

Due to their thick coats, some dog breeds are genetically predisposed to hot spots. A few examples include:

• Labrador retrievers
• Golden Retrievers
• Schäfer
• Rottweilers
• St. Bernards
• Tibetan Mastiffs

How to treat hot spots on dogs

The best treatment for dog hot spots depends on the underlying source of irritation in your specific pet. Your vet will need to identify the underlying cause to treat it effectively and prevent it from recurring. Depending on the case, you may be able to provide your pet with relief using natural hot spot home remedies.

Home remedies to treat dog hot spots

Here’s how to treat hot spots on dogs at home:

• Trim the fur around the spot , preferably using clips. If you are using scissors, be very careful not to cut your pet in case they suddenly move or jump. If the affected area is large, it might be a good idea to shave the surrounding fur pending your pet’s sensitivity and vet’s advice.
• Clean the affected skin area using warm water and mild soap, then pat dry with a paper towel or cloth.
• Apply topical ointment to alleviate itching and speed up the hot spot healing stages. Some over-the-counter products you might have at home that you can use include:
  • 1% hydrocortisone cream :this topical steroid is rich in vitamins and highly effective for itch relief
  • Benadryl :diphenhydramine such as Benadryl comes in a topical gel form and may be effective at treating hot spots on dogs with allergies
  • Coconut oil :a natural hot spot treatment that helps soothe the inflamed skin
  • Apple cider vinegar :mix with 50% water to create a hot spot spray that neutralizes itchiness and acts as a natural flea repellent
  • Aloe vera :only use aloe vera for hot spot relief on areas your dog can not lick or bite, as it can cause vomiting and diarrhea if ingested
• Monitor the affected area for signs of healing, such as a decrease in size, moisture, and redness.

Hopefully, your pet’s condition begins to improve, but it’s still wise to visit your veterinarian to understand what caused your dog’s hot spot and how you can prevent them in the future.

When to seek veterinary treatment

If the hot spot does not improve, gets worse, or spreads to other areas, it’s critical to see the vet as soon as possible. Unfortunately, approximately 30% of dogs with hot spots will have some form of skin disease (like a bite wound or deep infection) that requires veterinary treatment, meaning home remedies alone will not suffice.

Your vet will perform a full physical exam and may recommend additional tests, such as an allergy panel or skin scrape to check for parasites. Once they diagnose the underlying cause, they will prescribe a suitable treatment. Most vets treat hot spots with topical medication to control inflammation and decrease itching, and oral antibiotics to treat secondary bacterial infections.

Your vet might also prescribe medicated solutions, wipes, or hot spot sprays to gently clean the affected area daily, as well as an Elizabethan collar to prevent your dog from continually scratching or licking. Depending on the underlying cause, additional medications might be necessary to treat conditions like allergies, ear infections, or flea infestations.

Dog hot spot treatment costs

The cost of diagnosing and treating hot spots on dogs will depend on the severity of the lesion and how often it recurs. For instance, if the lesions appear once or twice a year and they remain uncomplicated, the owner might decide to treat such episodes symptomatically without the need to manage an underlying disease. In that case, hot spot treatment will be less expensive, ranging from $40 to $200 .

On the other hand, if more comprehensive diagnostic tests are required, the expense will increase significantly. This is especially true if allergy testing is needed, which might cost up to $2,000 .

Proffstips: No matter what type of veterinary treatment your pet needs, vet bills can be expensive. However, with the right pet insurance policy, you can protect yourself against unexpected costs and ensure your four-legged friend gets the best care possible.

Hot spot healing stages

Once your vet has started treating the hot spot, your dog will likely improve rapidly. It usually takes between three and seven days for a hot spot to dry out and start to heal. Your pet’s fur should start growing back in about two weeks. If your pup is still having issues after a week or two, be sure to get in touch with your vet.

Unfortunately, if your dog has experienced hot spots once, chances are they might get them again. Taking preventive measures like flea control and proper grooming can help decrease the risk of recurrence.

If your pet experiences chronic hot spots, it might be a good idea to speak to your vet about getting your pup tested for food and skin allergies, joint problems, and hypothyroidism.

How to prevent hot spots on dogs

Good hygiene, regular grooming, allergy management, and flea/tick prevention are all essential to preventing hot spots on dogs . Also make sure your pup is completely dried off after bathing or swimming, especially if they have a double coat or long hair.

If your dog is prone to licking due to stress or boredom, consider increasing their daily exercise or provide them with puzzle toys that will keep them busy and mentally stimulated.

Another way to help prevent hot spots is by using fatty acids supplements. Fish oil is an excellent source of the Omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA that have anti-inflammatory properties and promote a healthy skin barrier. Consult your vet for advice on what supplements are best for your dog and the correct dosage.

Nyckel takeaways

• Hot spots are painful sores that cause the skin to become irritated, red, swollen, and moist. They are usually a result of parasites, allergies, infections, or moisture trapped in the coat. Symptoms include chewing, licking, scratching, and discharge of pus.
• With proper treatment, hot spots will go away in about a week. For more extreme cases, the treatment can take up to two weeks before the hot spot begins to heal.
• If you suspect your dog has a hot spot and you aren’t able to get to your vet right away, try a few home remedies such as apple cider vinegar mixed with water to provide your dog with some relief.
• If left untreated, hot spots can cause severe skin damage, which is why it is very important to contact your vet if you notice these lesions on your dog’s skin.