My dog has a sticky, pus-like patch of hair. Is it a hot spot?

Related Answers from Veterinarians

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  Answered By Destini R. Holloway, DVM

  Veterinarian

  Published on

  This area looks like either a puncture wound or a hot spot. I would suggest taking Albus to your vet to have this area shaved properly (without hurting the pet or worsening the skin underneath), cleansed (typically either Betadine diluted 50:50 or Chlorhexidine 3% solution diluted) and then placed on oral antibiotics to get this to heal. I would not apply anything topical (especially no Neosporin) to this area, especially if there is a puncture wound seen underneath, once the hair is shaved. You can cleanse it with the solutions named above if you cannot get him in to a vet right away. Then leave the rest of this wound management up to your vet so that this heals completely. Best wishes with your pet Albus and I hope you get this resolved soon. Take care.

  

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  Answered By Lauren Jones VMD

  Veterinarian

  Published on

  Poor Albus! This skin lesion looks most suspicious for a bacterial skin infection or hot spot (acute moist dermatitis), but could also be related to ringworm or mange. Ideally, Albus will need to go to his vet for evaluation, but until you can take him to the vet, you can try clipping the sticky patch of hair and cleaning the skin with an antiseptic solution (chlorhexidine or betadine). If he is licking or scratching at his skin, put an e-collar (cone) on Albus to prevent further damage to the skin. I hope this helps and that all goes well!

  

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  Answered By Ann Dion, DVM

  Veterinarian

  Published on October 20th, 2018

  Hello and welcome back! I believe it looks like a hot spot. As mentioned this is a skin infection. Treatment for hot spots include: - shaving the area with a 40-blade so that the hair is very short - cleaning the area (in hospital we use chlorhexidine scrub solution that is diluted) - oral antibiotics are usually required, Cephalexin is the drug of choice for most skin diseases - E-collar to prevent further damage and further moisture It looks like pyoderma from the picture, however an exam in person will be able to confirm this or not. I recommend you go to your vet. Best of luck with Bear.

  

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  Answered By Laura Johnson VMD

  Veterinarian

  Published on August 12th, 2018

  Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Poor Joey! Thanks for the pictures! It looks like a hot spot which is a superficial skin infection. They pop up and spread quickly. They are raw and tend to be painful to the touch. I do recommend a vet take care of this. I shave all the hair off the area, clean it and send the owner home with oral antibiotics, a steroid taper or apoquel and a medicated spray. The area usually heals in 5-7 days with that plan. I wouldn't bathe him and I would take him to the Vet Monday. If you have clippers and he will let you, you can shave the fur away and clean it. I wish you the best!

  

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