What is a Hot Spot?

A hot spot (acute moist dermatitis) is a wound, usually caused by the dog chewing and or licking at an area on his skin that is irritated. This may be due to allergies, insect bites or some kind of irritant such as chemicals i.e. shampoo, cologne, carpet cleaners, I have been told that topical flea treatments can cause a hot spot. I'm sure anything is possible. If a hot spot is left untreated, it will become moist and infected so you want to clean the spot. You can start by clipping the hair from the area to allow it to dry. The area of dermatitis is then cleaned with an antiseptic. After you have dressed the infected area try to keep the dog from continuing to scratch or chew the hot spot, easier said than done but, try. If you need help, visit your vet. He might start your dog on a short course of corticosteroids to relieve the itchiness and decrease the inflammation of the area. Antibiotics are also prescribed to treat the infection present in the skin and in some cases a topical astringent can be used to help dry up the sore.
NuVet Plus works wonders on Hot Spots to heal and protect against the ravages of free radicals that attack your pet throughout its life. So if hot spots are a problem in your pet's life, try NuVet Plus.