Can I safely treat my dog's hot spots at home without a vet visit?

Hot spots are most commonly treated by clipping the hair from the affected area, cleaning it thoroughly, and giving prescription medication including antibiotics and/or steroids to treat the underlying problem - usually allergies, fleas, or skin mites (mange) with a secondary skin infection. I would recommend taking Max to the vet for an exam to get the necessary medication to treat his hot spots.

Hi there and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Based on the picture, it does appear that this could be a hot spot. I typically recommend using products that soothe and treat infection. What I would recommend would be Well & Good Hydrocortisone spray (at Petco) and Miconahex + Triz spray and apply both of these twice daily until resolved. If there is no improvement within 7 days, I would recommend taking your dog in to be seen by a veterinarian so that the most appropriate diagnostic and treatment recommendations can be made. I hope this helps!

Unfortunately, by law it is illegal for the experts at PetCoach to recommend giving a prescription drug without seeing the animal in person first. That's because doing so requires a veterinary client patient relationship which cannot be achieved via an internet forum. In addition, the experts cannot say for certain if a specific drug is safe for Cleo. Typically antibiotics are not given to treat hot spots unless there is a secondary infection, treating them requires a steroid cream that is available by prescription only from the vet. I would take Cleo into the vet first thing Monday to have the hot spot treatment. In the meantime, you can give her an Epsom salt bath to see if that gives her temporary relief, and put an Ecollar on her to keep her from licking at it and making it worse. You can get an Ecollar from a pet store or make one at home: http://dogsaholic.com/care/homemade-dog-cone.html

I like to trim the hair around the hot spot to open up the skin to the air. Then wash it with antibacterial soap to remove the discharge. After drying it then apply thin film of antibacterial ointment on it. You can also apply some cortisone cream on it to reduce the itch. It's best to use a restraint collar to prevent licking and scratching so it will heal. Make sure there are no fleas or ear infection as these can cause itching resulting in hot spots. If they are severe and you are unable to get them to heal then I would bring Princess to your veterinarian for treatment. They may give an injection to prevent scratching and an oral antibiotic to heal the skin infection. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for Princess.

A definite NO on the hydrogen peroxide! 1. It is best to shave the hair around the affected area if at all possible. If you don't have clippers you can use scissors to shorten the hair - just be careful you don't cut him. If you can't shave or trim the hair don't stress too much about it. 2. You can clean and treat all in one step with these medicated pads. Twice a day. ( https://www.chewy.com/pet-md-chlorhexidine-antiseptic-dog/dp/146635 ) 3. If he is really itching you can also apply this topical hydrocortisone spray after the wound is dry from the using the pads. Once a day should be enough. ( https://www.chewy.com/zymox-enzymatic-topical-spray/dp/125742 ) If no improvement after about 5-7 days then you should have your vet check him out. Sometimes oral antibiotics are needed to clear these up if they are bad enough. Hope this helps. Best wishes.

We provide advice only on Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. For any treatment for your dog, you need to go to your local vets. Steroids are the most commonly used medications for severe skin allergies so I assume your dog gets steroids injection. This medication is provided only by the vets, so you would need to see your local veterinarian if Princess has another skin problems.

That looks like a pretty nasty hot spot. Hot spots are caused by chronic moisture against the skin (which is common with a collar or something else wrapped around the neck). The best way to treat a hot spot is to clip the hair from the area so that it can fully dry out. You will need to use buzzing clipper, not a razor or scissors. You can try an OTC pet antimicrobial spray, but often prescription sprays or ointments work a little better since they contain a steroid and real antibiotics. You may also have to get creative in finding ways to prevent Peyton from scratching this area, as that will delay healing and can damage the skin. You can try socks, dog booties, or bandaging the feet to cover the nails. Unfortunately, due to the location, he won't be able to use an e-collar. If the hotspot isn't looking better in 48 hours, I would recommend that you have Peyton checked out by a vet.