Hot spots in dogs – signs and what to do
Contact a vet todayContact your vet today if you think your dog has this – it can become serious. A hot spot is a patch of sore, infected skin.
What you can do now
- Contact your vet today.
- Note when it started, how often it happens and what else you see.
- Take a photo or short video to show the vet.
- Keep fresh water available.
Don't
- Do not give any human medicine.
- Do not wait if it gets worse.
What it is
A hot spot is a patch of sore, infected skin that can appear anywhere on the body and typically looks red, angry and wet.[1] Hot spots respond very well to veterinary treatment.[1]
Signs
Causes and risk factors
How vets treat it
- Clipping the fur around the hot spot
- Cleaning the area
- Daily cleaning at home
- A medicated shampoo
- Antibiotics
- Medication
What the experts say
“Overview. A hot spot is a patch of sore, infected skin. Hot spots can appear anywhere on the body and typically look red, angry and wet. Fortunately, hot spots respond very well to veterinary treatment. Contact your vet if you think your dog has a hot spot.”
Not sure how serious it is?
OkPaw asks a few quick questions about your pet and tells you in 30 seconds whether it can wait. Free on Google Play for Android.
OkPaw is on Android now – an iPhone version is on its way.
Common questions
What is a hot spot?
It is a patch of sore, infected skin.[1]
Where can hot spots appear?
They can appear anywhere on the body.[1]
When should I contact a vet?
Contact your vet straight away if you see a hot spot developing.[1]
Sources
How this page was made: written with the help of AI from the sources below, then checked claim by claim against those sources. Urgency levels follow OkPaw’s fixed safety rules. It is guidance, not a diagnosis. How we write our pages
Kennel Cough