Hot spots on dogs are fairly common occurrences in the summer particularly on breeds with heavy coats that live in a humid environment. Hot spots are bacterial infections that drive the dog crazy. He will chew at it or lick it until the hair falls out. In short, he will not be a happy puppy.
If left untreated the skin can become ulcerated and start oozing puss and develop into a serious infection.
The best way to prevent hot spots on dogs is to give them a summer haircut. The bacteria grow because the heavy coat limits the amount of ventilation the skin gets and a humid environment is like a health spa for bacteria. By giving the dog a close cut you not only increase the ventilation which in turns dries the skin, but you're going to make the puppy more comfortable now that he's not carrying around that winter coat.
While dogs with heavy coats are the typical victims of hot spots, any dog with a less than robust immune system can suffer the same thing. Make sure the food you are feeding has a vitamin E supplement and preferably an omega 3 supplement as well to keep his system up to par.
If your dog does develop a hot spot and you catch it while it's still moderate you can treat him at home.
Shave the spot and the hair immediately around it and then wash it with a 1 to four mixture of apple cider vinegar (the real stuff not the distilled kind) and water. The vinegar will help dry out the skin and also kill off the bacteria.
Just because you've cleaned it doesn't mean your dog isn't going to bite or lick it so it's best to put an Elizabethan collar on him until it heals. You can also ease the itch and burning by giving him an oatmeal based shampoo when you bathe him. These are available commercially or you can make one yourself.
If the hot spot becomes red and inflamed you need to get him to the vet for professional care and some real antibiotics as there may be some other underlying problem than just a simple bacterial infection.
So the key to preventing hot spots on dogs is getting rid of the environment that encourages bacterial growth. Give him a close cut for summer and keep him regularly bathed and odds are he won't end up wearing that ridiculous collar.
If left untreated the skin can become ulcerated and start oozing puss and develop into a serious infection.
The best way to prevent hot spots on dogs is to give them a summer haircut. The bacteria grow because the heavy coat limits the amount of ventilation the skin gets and a humid environment is like a health spa for bacteria. By giving the dog a close cut you not only increase the ventilation which in turns dries the skin, but you're going to make the puppy more comfortable now that he's not carrying around that winter coat.
While dogs with heavy coats are the typical victims of hot spots, any dog with a less than robust immune system can suffer the same thing. Make sure the food you are feeding has a vitamin E supplement and preferably an omega 3 supplement as well to keep his system up to par.
If your dog does develop a hot spot and you catch it while it's still moderate you can treat him at home.
Shave the spot and the hair immediately around it and then wash it with a 1 to four mixture of apple cider vinegar (the real stuff not the distilled kind) and water. The vinegar will help dry out the skin and also kill off the bacteria.
Just because you've cleaned it doesn't mean your dog isn't going to bite or lick it so it's best to put an Elizabethan collar on him until it heals. You can also ease the itch and burning by giving him an oatmeal based shampoo when you bathe him. These are available commercially or you can make one yourself.
If the hot spot becomes red and inflamed you need to get him to the vet for professional care and some real antibiotics as there may be some other underlying problem than just a simple bacterial infection.
So the key to preventing hot spots on dogs is getting rid of the environment that encourages bacterial growth. Give him a close cut for summer and keep him regularly bathed and odds are he won't end up wearing that ridiculous collar.