Has your pet been itching or licking more than usual in one area? You might have a hot spot on your hands! These are most common during warm months, but can affect animals any time of year. With the right treatment, your pet will return to normal quickly.
What exactly is a hot spot?
These are itchy, painful skin lesions that lead to excessive licking, scratching, and/or biting of a specific area. The affected area becomes warm, which is why it is given its name. Bugs and allergens are common causes of this irritation.
To prevent hot spots from worsening, try these simple steps:
Identify the Issue
For some animals, the problem is a bug bite or allergens in their environment. For others, it can be an obsessive-compulsive disorder (such as separation anxiety in some pets). Do your best to determine the cause, and if the condition worsens over time, be sure to visit your veterinarian.
Trim the Hair
Around the affected area, the hair will become matted and clumped from excessive licking and biting. Carefully trim the hair around the wound to improve treatment, and let it air out.
Find Your Treatment
Finding the best option for your animals isn’t always easy, but choosing the right treatment can be simpler with your vet’s help. Typically, a topical ointment is prescribed and applied to the hot spot 2-4 times daily until it heals completely.
Continue Treatment
Make sure not to slack off at the last minute on treatment options! Following the prescribed treatment plan is the only way your pet will feel better and be free from hot spots. Unless instructed otherwise by your veterinarian, complete the prescription or continue until the wound is fully healed. If no improvement appears within a few days, contact your veterinarian for possible antibiotic treatment.
Following these common steps, you’ll ensure your fur babies receive proper care and experience quicker, easier healing from hot spots!
