Hot Spots

Does your pet seem to be completely consumed with chewing on himself for what seems like every waking hour? Are the areas where he has been chewing raw, red and very tender when touched? If your animal has one or more of these raw patches then it is likely suffering from hot spots.

The Causes of Hot Spots

Many owners become very frustrated by the persistence of certain hot spots. For some animals a small change in environment or skin conditioning can help heal the spot(s), but for others, the raw areas persistently re-appear no matter what lengths the owner goes to in order to help his or her pet.

Hot spots can be caused by a variety of different things. Some common perpetrators are:

• Fleas: if fleas are causing the hot spots on your pet, it might only take a more effective flea medication to help your animal. But if your pet has a condition known as flea dermatitis, even one flea bite can turn into a hot spot that the pet continues to chew and worsen, despite the absence of the original flea.
• Allergies: when humans have allergies, they manifest as stuffy noses or itchy throats, but allergies in animals often affect the skin. A pet can have allergies to anything ranging from an ingredient in its food to a certain weed in your backyard. Your pet may be responding to discomfort caused by a certain allergen by chewing on its skin.

Contact Us

To find out more about hot spots and what can be done to help alleviate your pet’s discomfort, contact your Austin Vet Clinic today