Hot spots are one of the most common skin conditions in dogs and one of the most frustrating to treat. They can seem to crop up out of nowhere and be very difficult to deal with. But, if managed correctly, they can be treated and even prevented.
What Are Hotspots?
Hot spots are an area of skin inflammation and bacterial infection. Many times it will begin with a small red area and you may mistake it for an insect bite. However, it will grow worse quickly and spread, eventually developing into a hot, red, oozing, and painful lesion
How Does Your Chihuahua Get a Hot Spot?
When what begins as a red spot is irritating and causes your Chihuahua to begin scratching, licking, or chewing on the infected area. This causes inflammation and secondary bacterial infection. This only causes the area to be even itchier and it becomes a cycle of itching and scratching. What this means is that any condition that causes your Chihuahua to feel itchy has the potential to become a frustrating hot spot. There are many potential causes, some common ones are:
- Parasite
- Flea allergy
- Food allergy
- Atopic dermatitis
- Ear or skin infections
- Anal sac disease
- Contact irritants (environmental)
- Stress or bordom (resulting in excessive licking)
- Dirty or matted coat
- Trapped moisture from swimming or bathing
Many of these become chronic and can lead to recurring hot spots if they are not properly treated right away. The most important factor in preventing a hot spot is identifying and treating the underlying cause of the hot spot. It’s the only way you can prevent future hot spots.
Hot spots also happen most often during warm weather or high humidity. If your Chihuahua is frequently wet from playing in the backyard baby pool during the summer or from frequent baths he is more likely to develop a hot spot. This is because excess moisture is held against the skin by their coats.
A Chihuahua should only be bathed once a month unless they get very dirty between baths. Wipes between baths are also a good idea. Bathing too often can not only trap moisture against the skin it can also dry out the skin and strip it of the necessary natural oils. This in turn can cause excessive scratching that can develop into a hot spot.
What Are The Symptoms of A Hot Spot?
There are many skin conditions that have similar symptoms so it is a good idea to consult your veterinarian to determine if it is indeed a hot spot or some other skin condition. Hot spots are usually easily spotted by areas of redness, swelling, and hair loss. They can occur anywhere, however, are found most often on the head, limbs, and hips. The area is moist and may discharge pus or fluid. This can lead to crusting and matting of the surrounding hair. Hot spots are very painful and very itchy. They will grow rapidly as your Chihuahua continues to scratch, lick, and bite the area.
How Can A Hot Spot Be Treated?
The first step is to visit your veterinarian. It may be tempting to wait and hope the hot spot will resolve on its own. However, the sooner it is treated, the better. Before it can be treated and prevented from reoccurring, your veterinarian will need to determine the underlying cause. They will examine your Chi and may recommend some additional testing. For instance, a skin scrape to look for parasites. Once the cause is determined, your veterinarian can prescribe the appropriate treatment.
Other treatments:
- Clipping the hair around the area to prevent matting.
- Using a gentle aniseptic solution such as chlorhexidine.
- Bathing with a chlorhexidine shampoo for dogs.
- A prescription for a topical or oral antibiotics to treat secondary bacterial infections.
- Prescribing topical or oral steroides to control inflammation and decrease itching.
- Prescribing allergy medications to stop the underlying cause of itching.
- Medicated wipes or solutions to gently clean the area daily.
- Using an Elizabethan collar (e-collor or cone) to prevent continues scratching.
The good news is, once treatment has begun, most dogs improve rapidly. Sometimes it will resolve in 3-7 days after the beginning of treatment.
How Can You Prevent Hot Spots?
The best way to prevent them from occurring in the first place is to figure out what exactly is causing your Chihuahua’s itching. Parasite prevention, treating skin infections, and managing allergies are essential to stop scratching and preventing trauma to the skin. Good hygiene and routine grooming also may help. If your Chihuahua swims, plays in a baby pool, or if you must give frequent baths, be very sure that the coat is thoroughly dry afterward.
If you feel your Chihuahua is licking due to stress or boredom, increase their daily exercise and playtime. This will eliminate the urge to lick out of boredom. Using mentally stimulating puzzle toys or slow feed bowls is also a good way to keep your Chihuahua stimulated even when you can’t play with them. The best way to keep your Chihuahua stimulated while you are away is a stuffed Kong. Stuffing a Kong with healthy treats will keep them mentally stimulated and happy for hours. Your Chihuahua will love the activity and he will be happier for it too.
Omega-3 fatty acids are a great way to healthy skin. These have anti-inflammatory properties and can promote a healthy skin barrier. This will make your Chihuahua less susceptible to allergens and infection. Topical aloe vera can also help to soothe and reduce itching. You must be very careful that your Chihuahua does not ingest the aloe or is not able to lick it off because this can cause vomiting and diarrhea. When you put aloe very on his skin in a spot where he can reach, be sure to cover it with a bandage or an e-collar
Conclusion
Hot spots are itchy and painful for your Chihuahua and can easily become a recurring nightmare if not addressed and treated quickly. Fortunately, if managed quickly your Chihuahua’s hot spot will heal quickly and will not result in permanent damage.