On a regular basis, your dog is likely to cross paths with any number of sticky situations. No, we are not talking about sticky foods, but a more serious conversation about skin problems, such as dangerous allergies or bacteria that may cause infections you were not anticipating. Where these infections localize are called dog hot spots.
Essentially, dog hot spots are similar to sun spots. They are very involved and pocked rashes that spread all around and beneath your dogs coat, burning and itching up a storm. Not to mention that should your dog begin to scratch one of them, it is not going to strike you as odd. What dog doesn't scratch themselves after all?
However, to lower ones risk of dog hot spots, dog owners can follow few basic rules of thumb to aid the cause. The first, while it is likely to get you a mess in your bathroom and cost you a few extra dollars at a nice pet store, is to properly bathe your dog. By giving it access to a full shower and proper shampoo, you can make the skin tougher and more reactant to unwanted bacteria that just float around. Now, the second word of advice is far more contained, and deals with easily checking over your dog each night. Nothing to intense, just a quick running through the fingers to double check the situation is either normal or non existent.
Granted, one should also be prudent not to mistake a bout of hot spots for just fleas. So many dogs go untreated for their true dog hot spots because they were being treated for a case of fleas they never had.
That said, when you think you have encountered a single hot spot, or a number of dog hot spots, it is extremely important to know exactly what it is you are dealing with.
Because it is so important, we actually, in a manner as urging as possible, suggest you get in touch with some sort of veterinarian. We mean, they did happen to spend most of their life attending medical school and caring for animals with similar problems, and so they probably can't ever steer you wrong. Or at least very rarely will.
A vet will be able to tell you right off if you are dealing with fleas, or if the hives, rash, inflammation, what have you, is the result of a larger issue. If it is, they can usually prescribe you a special cream or medication to eradicate the infection and target the dog hot spots. While the cost of prescription drugs is never the most welcomed circumstance, it is often the most effective, and letting the condition go untreated could allow for a bigger medical expense to enter the door by way of your dog's infection.
Overall though, the situation is not on your vet. While they are a reliable source to use and should be sought out, they do not live in your house and work and live right beside your beloved dog. That said, in order to diagnose dog hot spots sooner, one should take heed of our advice and perform routine checks on their dog's skin. It can only lead to a healthier outcome for all!
Essentially, dog hot spots are similar to sun spots. They are very involved and pocked rashes that spread all around and beneath your dogs coat, burning and itching up a storm. Not to mention that should your dog begin to scratch one of them, it is not going to strike you as odd. What dog doesn't scratch themselves after all?
However, to lower ones risk of dog hot spots, dog owners can follow few basic rules of thumb to aid the cause. The first, while it is likely to get you a mess in your bathroom and cost you a few extra dollars at a nice pet store, is to properly bathe your dog. By giving it access to a full shower and proper shampoo, you can make the skin tougher and more reactant to unwanted bacteria that just float around. Now, the second word of advice is far more contained, and deals with easily checking over your dog each night. Nothing to intense, just a quick running through the fingers to double check the situation is either normal or non existent.
Granted, one should also be prudent not to mistake a bout of hot spots for just fleas. So many dogs go untreated for their true dog hot spots because they were being treated for a case of fleas they never had.
That said, when you think you have encountered a single hot spot, or a number of dog hot spots, it is extremely important to know exactly what it is you are dealing with.
Because it is so important, we actually, in a manner as urging as possible, suggest you get in touch with some sort of veterinarian. We mean, they did happen to spend most of their life attending medical school and caring for animals with similar problems, and so they probably can't ever steer you wrong. Or at least very rarely will.
A vet will be able to tell you right off if you are dealing with fleas, or if the hives, rash, inflammation, what have you, is the result of a larger issue. If it is, they can usually prescribe you a special cream or medication to eradicate the infection and target the dog hot spots. While the cost of prescription drugs is never the most welcomed circumstance, it is often the most effective, and letting the condition go untreated could allow for a bigger medical expense to enter the door by way of your dog's infection.
Overall though, the situation is not on your vet. While they are a reliable source to use and should be sought out, they do not live in your house and work and live right beside your beloved dog. That said, in order to diagnose dog hot spots sooner, one should take heed of our advice and perform routine checks on their dog's skin. It can only lead to a healthier outcome for all!
About the Author:
Jennifer is a canine health practitioner who specializes in dry dog skin treatment. Click here for more information.