Meet Abby. Abby loves to swim and chill out on the dock. Unfortunately, sometimes these two activities can produce the horrid hot spot–those painful, raw, moist, oozing sores your dog can get on their skin. If your pet has ever had one, I’m sure you can relate when I say hot spots are serious. Although more prevalent in the summer months, hot spots can appear any time of the year, on any breed of dog, at any age because most often these wounds are due to some sort of irritant or allergen that causes your dog to itch, such as fleas, food or treats, swimming or environmental pollutants, or matted, ungroomed fur. Once the skin surface has been opened by the scratching and biting, bacteria enters and infection quickly sets in–a small wound can become a huge wound in less than 24 hours. Don’t delay in seeking veterinary medical attention. Miss Abby’s wounds were clipped and cleaned by our staff and she was sent home with topical treatment, antibiotics, and the dreaded E-collar. Abby is on the road to recovery and we wish her the best!
To help prevent hot spots, keep your pet up to date on flea and tick prevention medicine, rinse your pet with a hose and dry thoroughly after a swim, speak with your vet about allergies, regularly check your pet for skin irritations and treat immediately.
Written by Aimee Gilfillan