Hot spots, also known as “pyotraumatic dermatitis” or “superficial pyoderma” are skin infections caused by an overgrowth of skin’s normal bacteria.
Dogs suffering from hot spots lose hair in circular patches that can be swollen and red, and can be extremely itchy with smelly pus, leading to persistent itching, biting and licking of the spots. These spots may also be very painful, which has led some dogs to become aggressive and nip or bite you when the area is touched. Hot spots are commonly found on the feet, flanks, legs and rump, and can also be seen on the ears, neck and chest.
Treatment varies depending on who is consulted. Conventional veterinarians tend to prescribe antibiotics and cortisone. Both medicines help to abate symptoms, but they do not effectively tackle the underlying issue. As a result, the hot spots often return. These remedies may have side effects including damage to the joints and immune deficiencies, and they can also be a contributing factor to osteoporosis.
An alternative treatment for hot spots is to trim all the hair to about one-half inch from the spot, and apply hydrogen peroxide for one or two minutes to thoroughly clean the wound; dab the area dry with a clean towel or gauze. It is normal to see foaming. Allow this to air dry on its own. A scab may form, but do not apply any ointments or cream. If the spots are very itchy, you may choose to put an Elizabethan collar (also known as E-collars) on your dog to prevent your furry friend from scratching to allow the skin time to heal.
While hydrogen peroxide treats the symptoms, the root cause may be fixed simply by feeding your dog a raw diet. Food can often lead to allergies that manifest in the form of mild to very severe symptoms on a dog’s skin. This is sometimes the case with cooked commercial, dry or canned food. Affecting the internal and external organs, inappropriate food can trigger a countless number of infections, diseases, and conditions.
There is also the risk that a dry or canned food diet will result in repeated recurrence of hot spots. A raw diet may serve as a deterrent, preventing hot spots and their return once remedied. The switch from dry and canned food to a raw diet has cured many dogs previously suffering from repeated bouts of hot spots. When one of my own dogs recovered from hot spots using this approach, I was inspired to research the merits of raw diets.
