are hot spots caused by fleas
Q-My female dog often gets hot spots, especially in summer. She`s part Welsh corgi and part dachshund. The problem apparently is caused by fleas, although I never see any fleas on the dog. My other dogs never scratch like she does, however. Do you think this could be a skin disorder? A-The most common cause of hot spots in dogs is indeed the flea. But to eliminate the guesswork, the first thing to do is determine just what is causing the itching. First check this dog and your other animals thoroughly for fleas; just because the other animals aren`t scratching doesn`t mean they don`t have fleas. A bacterial infection of the skin (typically caused by staph) develops by taking advantage of the damaged inflamed skin. The infection is often deep in the dog's skin and, in addition to the moist oozing appearance, an odor is often present. Related: Hot spots, bald spots and red spots on dogs. Preventing hot spots. Hot spots are prevented by preventing fleas. The most common methods of flea prevention include topical flea medication and oral flea medication. Some of the most effective topical medications include Frontline Plus and and K9 Advantix II. These products begin killing fleas within minutes. Anything that causes itchiness of the skin can lead to the development of hot spots on dogs. Some common triggers are atopy (allergies to things in the environment such as grasses, trees, weeds, dust mites, etc), food allergies, fleas, mites, insect bites and skin wounds. It`s the biting and scratching that cause the hot spots, not the actual bite or allergy. Make certain that the dog`s ears look clean and healthy because, if the hot spots are near the face, ear infections sometimes develop. If the dog starts getting a hot spot, apply some kind of drying agent to the area. If you do this twice a week and never see any fleas on any of your dogs, the hot spots probably are caused by something else. Other common causes include food allergies, inhalant allergies to things such as pollen, and insect bites (mosquito bites, bee stings, etc.). Fleas may be extremely small, but dangerous things sometimes come in small packages. Guard your dog against the many diseases that fleas carry and transmit. You may think that these tiny pests only make your pet do a little scratching and itching, but fleas actually cause a number of diseases, some of which can be fatal. By not protecting your pets from fleas, you are exposing them and yourself to severe health risks. While usually transmitted by ticks, haemobartonellosis can also be carried by fleas. The disease targets red blood cells and can range from mild to very severe symptoms. If very severe, haemobartonellosis can cause cats to suffer anemia that results in weight loss and a fast heart rate. Flea Allergy Dermatitis. All it takes is one bite from a flea to cause Flea Allergy Dermatitis, leading to hot spots and extreme itchiness for your pet. Dog hot spots are infected patches of circular skin that could soon become a big wound if your pet continues to itch and bite at it. You are here. Hot Spots on dogs: Causes and treatment. Hot spots are an irritating skin condition that affects countless dogs every year. Here, Dr. Henry Cerny, DVM, MS of Yankee Hill Veterinary Hospital, answers some common questions about hot spots.
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