Hot Spots

Have you noticed your dog excessively grooming, licking or even biting itself? It’s important to pay attention to the signs your pet is exhibiting. One of the first signs your dog has a problem might be the development of a “hot spot”—a red, wet, irritated area that arises from persistent chewing, licking, scratching or rubbing. [source] 

If you see signs of this behavior, you owe it to human kind’s best friend to ask yourself a few questions:

Has your dog’s routine been compromised?

Is there any reason your dog may be stressed? Changes in routine or lack of routine can often contribute to symptomatic behavior. A common reason dogs bite themselves is because of high stress or anxiety and even boredom. Humans have similar types of behaviors we exhibit and it’s similarly effective to try to increase physical and mental stimulation. When was the last time you played with your pet?

Are you seeing excessive itching?

This could be dry skin or even dermatitis. It’s also possible that your pet may be suffering from an allergy. Has your pet come into recent contact with materials not introduced before? Have you started feeding it a new brand of food, or feeding it “human food”? Taking a trip to the veterinarian is advised as this could also be a sign of ticks or fleas. This is especially concerning for the household because some ticks spread diseases such as Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever and other illness. [source]

Does your dog seem injured?

Perhaps your dog is in pain. Check for abrasions, bites or other signs of injury. Make a note if there seems to be a painful response and around what area. If you believe your pet to be seriously injured, have him or her examined by a veterinarian. Over-the-counter solutions such as Vetericyn, which is a topical solution for the care of wounds and irritations, might also help.