Hot spots on dogs are normally caused by chewing, licking, and scratching of an affected area. This trauma to the dog's skin then causes inflammation and even secondary infections. This then creates a perpetual cycle of itching and scratching since the bacterial infection is another irritant.
When a dog licks the sore spot, it irritates superficial nerve endings in the skin which stimulates more itching followed by more licking, biting, and scratching. This lick-itch-lick cycle is the basis for the self-trauma that causes hot spots. Hot spots can dramatically increase in size in a very short period of time. Pet owners may go to work after noticing a pinpoint area of redness and come home at the end of the day to find a raw lesion the size of a pancake.
What Causes Hot Spots
Hot spots are usually caused by a dog scratching an itch so vigorously, that it creates an open wound. There are many “triggers” that can cause the initial itch such as:
• Allergies including food allergies or inhalant allergies that cause itching
• Reactions to insect bites from fleas, mites, or other small insects
• Ear infections (from dogs scratching at their ears)
• Primary skin infections may incite the dog to scratch an area so much that a secondary hot spot forms
• Dogs with unkempt hair coats bite at tangles, creating open wounds. Matted fur prevents air from reaching the skin and retains water after a dog swims or gets caught in the rain, resulting in the skin staying wet. This sets up a perfect environment for a hot spot
• Boredom - bored dogs lick areas that are easily accessible. When they lie down, the feet and forearms are right under their faces so hot spots often occur there
• Orthopedic problems. Dogs with arthritis or back problems tend to lie down much of the time. Lying on one side creates abrasions over pressure points, like hips or hocks (ankles), where bony protrusions have little muscular padding, especially in elderly dogs with diminishing muscle mass. When the dog licks the abrasion, a hot spot erupts. Dogs also lick or chew at degenerating joints much like people rub a sore knee to relieve the pain, creating hot spots in the process.
• Anal gland inflammation. Infected or impacted anal glands are painful and annoying. Dogs lick the area around the rectum and can cause hot spots under or on top of the tail.
Blood toxins resulting from chemicals in the diet, infection, over-sensitivity in the nervous system or some other sort of metabolic stress, will set up conditions where such impurities are deposited just under the skin which then becomes locally unhealthy, sensitive and irritated.
Treating Hot Spots
The goal in treating a hot spot is to stop the trauma and prevent the development of a deep skin infection, so the first step in treating hot spots is to stop the self-mutilation. Using a Cone collar to stop your dog from chewing at the hot spot or covering the area with a bandage to act as a barrier can be useful ways to prevent your dog from causing more damage whilst trying to treat the affected area.
McDowells Product
Our blood cleansing mix contains various alterative herbs that are high in iron and sulphur and work through the Kidneys, Liver, Lymphatic System and Bowel to detoxify the blood. Other herbs in combination are included to assist in driving impurities out, clearing the skin once and for all.
The mix includes concentrated herbal extracts of Echinacea, Garlic, Horsetail, Nettle, Pine Bark, Red Clover and Violet Leaves along with the Bach Flower Crab Apple.
A course of the Hot Spot Program, which includes our infect-a-clear yeast and Allergy products, for the full blood cycle of 12 weeks, should clear 'hot spots' or skin sores found on your dog.
