PetEdge Grooming Question of the Week: Hot Spots

Q. What are hot spots?

A. Hot spots are irritated areas of pet skin where the skin is itchy, inflamed and broken. It is basically a rash that has been licked, chewed on or scratched, causing it to progress into open sores.

Q. What causes hot spots?

A. Hot spots are caused by a variety of factors. They can be hormone-related (some females develop hot spots during every heat cycle), allergy-related (some pets will develop a rash if they are exposed to a particular shampoo ingredient) or grooming-related (clipper burn can often turn into hot spots if left untreated).

Q. How do you treat hot spots?

A. The treatment for hot spots differs depending on the severity of the condition. If the hot spot appears to be infected, consult a veterinarian immediately. A prescription antibiotic might be necessary to clear up the infection.

Less severe hot spots can be treated in a variety of ways.

• Clip the coat around the infected area to let the wound breathe better
• Fit the dog with a medical collar that prevents the pet from licking or biting the wound
• Treat the irritated skin with an anti-itch, anti-bacterial and pain-reducing agent

At PetEdge, we've developed several products that are effective for treating pets with hot spots.

Our exclusive spray is formulated with hydrocortisone to reduce inflammation and itching and lidocaine to numb pain. Numbing the area and reducing the swelling will make the dog less aware of the hot spot, and thus less likely to bit, lick or scratch at it. The spray also has a bitter taste that deters dogs from licking and chewing.

This skin-soothing shampoo is formulated with tea tree oil, a natural antibacterial agent that helps to combat infection and speed up the healing process.

Groomers and Hot Spots

If you're a groomer, be sure to check a dog for hot spots prior to starting any grooming job. If you have a new pet coming in for a first-time groom, ask your client if the dog has sensitive skin. If so, it may help to use a clipper blade with a longer blade cut to avoid irritating the skin with a close cut. If a pet's skin seems to get irritated after bathing, switching to a tearless shampoo might help.

Questions?

If you have questions about hot spots or the products that are used to treat them, please call our product support specialists at 800-PetEdge.