Does my Dog Have a Hot Spot?
My dog keeps chewing on her leg and has it raw and
red. Someone said it might be a hot spot. What is
a hot spot? And what can I do for it?
Marty
Huron, Ohio
Hot spots are areas of inflamed skin that develop very rapidly. They are common on the face, trunk, and limbs of dogs.
Many hot spots develop as a result of skin irritation that leads to licking or scratching. The mild self trauma that occurs when a dog works on an itchy site can cause the area to itch more. This leads to a cycle of further scratching and licking. The affected area of skin may be moist and red. Hair loss may occur.
Hot spots develop most often in long haired breeds such as Golden Retrievers and Chow Chows. However, they can occur in any type of dog. True hot spots are rare in cats.
Hot spots are painful and should be treated. Mild hot spots can be treated effectively with topical medications containing antibiotics and cortisone. Larger hot spots generally require veterinary intervention. Very severe hot spots can be life threatening.
Fleas are the leading cause of skin irritation that leads to hot spots. Allergies to food, pollen, detergents or other environmental agents also may contribute to the problem.
Ringworm, mange, a syndrome called acral lick dermatitis and several other conditions may cause skin lesions that look like hot spots. A vet checkup is a good idea for any pet suffering from skin problems.
You have questions. 
I have a 11 month olf bloodhound. When she was 6 months old, she was spayed. About a week later, she became lethargic. I took her back to the vet, fearing an infection. He treated her with ampicillan. Anfew days after that, she started developing neurological symptoms, i.e. walking on the top of her right, front paw. I immeidately took her back to the vet, He placed her on a steroid and Bactrin, She improved, but her symptoms worsened when weaned from the steroid. She was falling, lost the sight in her right eye, was walking on her paw, and seemed to have generalized right sided weakness. He referred her to a neurologist, who did a spinal tap, which showed a virus.-unspecified. The treatment changed to high doses of Batril, Ammoxocillan and steroid. Her condition has improved somewhat, but not a great deal. She is no longer faling or walking on her paw, and has reagained some sight, but since being weaned from the Bactrin, is now rounding. This has been going on two weeks now. We have raised the steriod to 40 mgs twice a day. With very little improvement. We have considered more Batril,,
The original vet has now found another dog that developed similiar symptoms, and wha was in the hosptial at the same time.
Any ideas? suggestions? she is only a baby,…
Erth Dogs natural dog products has a great hot spot treatment. All-natural too.