Hotspots in dogs

A hotspot is a localized skin inflammation that you can recognize by a dog that is extremely itchy in one specific spot. The animal continuously bites, licks, and scratches this area. When you check the dog's skin, you will notice a bald, red, and moist spot. The skin is clearly irritated and very itchy, as the dog does not leave the area alone. It’s time for a visit to the vet; the dog probably has a hotspot…

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How can a dog get a hotspot?

A hotspot is a localized skin inflammation caused by the dog itself. This happens because the animal keeps licking, scratching, and/or biting an itchy spot.

There are various ‘culprits’ that can cause this itch, for example: parasites (fleas or ticks), an insect bite, or a (food) allergy. Stress can also be a cause of a hotspot. Some dogs that suffer from stress excessively bite and lick one spot, causing a hotspot.

Any dog can get a hotspot, but some breeds are more sensitive to it. These are breeds with a thick, woolly undercoat, such as Golden Retrievers, Bernese Mountain Dogs, Akita Inus, or Leonbergers. If the coat care for these animals is lacking, the skin can become irritated and itchy. Also, when these dogs swim often and their coat dries slowly, this can cause skin irritation.

What is a hotspot?

Licking, biting, and scratching damage the top layer of the skin. But it doesn’t stop there. Bacteria that are always present on the skin, but normally cause no problems, now cause an infection in the damaged skin; this is called a hotspot. This localized skin inflammation causes even more itching, causing the dog to lick and scratch again; resulting in a hotspot that grows bigger and bigger.

It is a vicious circle: the hotspot itches, the dog scratches it, the hotspot expands and causes even more itching, making the dog scratch even more.

How do you treat a hotspot on your dog?

To heal a hotspot, it is necessary to break the vicious circle, starting with stopping the itch. Additionally, it is essential to clean and keep the hotspot clean. The best option is to visit a vet. A vet will take several steps:

• The vet will remove the fur around the hotspot and then clean the area with a disinfectant, such as Betadine,
• A dog with a hotspot may get a collar so it cannot reach the irritated skin, or a sock if the hotspot is on one of its legs,
• The vet may also give medication to relieve the itching,
• Treatment of the localized skin inflammation will consist of an *ointment or, in severe cases, antibiotics.

*Treatment of a hotspot may involve applying a corticosteroid ointment. Corticosteroids are effective against inflammation and the associated symptoms.

Make sure the skin stays clean and dry after treatment, otherwise the healing process will slow down. Furthermore, it is necessary to identify and eliminate the cause (parasites, stress, etc.) of the hotspot; this way you prevent the formation of a new hotspot.

How can you reduce the chance of a hotspot?

• Treat a dog regularly (preventively) against ticks and fleas,
• Dogs that swim often should be treated more frequently against ticks and fleas,
• Brush a dog with a thick and woolly undercoat regularly,
• Choose a diet that supports the skin and coat, (for example Riverwood Scottish Salmon & Whitefish with Herring) or provide salmon oil alongside the food (see here Riverwood Norwegian Salmon Oil).

Now you know what a hotspot is and how to reduce the chance that your dog will get one. Nutrition also has a big effect on the quality of a dog’s skin and coat. Riverwood Scottish Salmon & Whitefish with Herring is specially developed for dogs with skin and/or coat problems. Check out the product Riverwood Scottish Salmon & Whitefish with Herring.

Many dogs already enjoy Riverwood every day. Would you also like your dog to enjoy our delicious foods and are you curious which variant suits your dog best? Answer a few questions here and order a discounted trial pack directly.