Vet's Orders: How To Manage & Prevent Hot Spots

Dr. Nicole Barnard, BVSc

Understanding Hot Spots: Acute Moist Dermatitis

"Hot spots," clinically known as acute moist dermatitis, are rapidly developing, painful skin sores that appear seemingly out of nowhere. They are most common in thick-coated or long-haired dogs, occurring less frequently in cats, and tend to spike during hot, humid weather.

A hot spot typically starts with a minor, superficial skin injury or trapped moisture beneath the haircoat. When moisture is locked against the skin, normal skin bacteria begin to multiply in the fluid. This bacterial overgrowth triggers localized inflammation, causing the skin to ooze more fluid, which in turn fuels further bacterial growth. This creates a rapid, painful cycle. Within just a few hours, a perfectly normal patch of skin can transform into a large, raw, reddened lesion coated in a pus-like discharge. While highly uncomfortable and excruciatingly sensitive, standard surface hot spots are not life-threatening and heal exceptionally well when addressed correctly.

A hot spot is a secondary symptom, meaning something had to initiate the scratching, chewing, or moisture trap in the first place. Common underlying causes include:

• Skin Parasites: Flea bites, ticks, or microscopic mange mites.

• Environmental or Food Allergies: Intense itching that drives self-trauma.

• Coat Issues: Heavy hair mats or foreign materials (like grass seeds or burs) trapped close to the skin.

When you bring your pet in, your veterinarian will focus on getting air to the skin to halt the infection. They will safely clip the hair using professional electric clippers at least an inch beyond the sore and gently clean away the discharge with a mild antiseptic. Because these lesions are excruciatingly sensitive, your vet may use mild sedation to keep your pet completely comfortable during this process. Once cleaned, they will apply specialized drying antiseptic or antibiotic sprays, and if a deeper skin infection is present, they may prescribe a course of oral antibiotics.

Everyday Do’s & Don’ts for Pet Parents

• DO maintain strict parasite control. Keeping your pet completely free of fleas is one of the easiest ways to prevent the initial scratch.

• DO groom regularly. Consistently brush thick or long coats, ensuring you remove foreign plant material before it turns into a dense mat.

• DO monitor the healing process. Within the first 48 hours of starting treatment, the sore should look "quieter", i.e. less red, with significantly less fluid oozing. Complete scabbing and skin healing usually follow within 7 to 10 days.

• DON'T use scissors at home. Attempting to cut the hair over a fresh hot spot with scissors is a very common cause of severe accidental skin cuts. Always let a clinic handle the clipping.

• DON'T touch the sore directly. Avoid touching a fresh hot spot with bare fingers, as this introduces new bacteria and causes intense pain. Always use medical gloves if applying medication.

• DON'T apply medicine to an unclipped sore. Putting creams or sprays directly over the fur without clipping and cleaning first will trap the infection and make the lesion spread.