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My dog has a hotspot. What can I try at home for the irritation?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed | Male | unneutered | 10 months and 24 days old | 30 lbs

I think my dog has a hotspot. Is there anything I can try at home? First picture is yesterday. 2nd is after 24hrs of gold bond.

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3 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Daniel Fonza, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on March 12th, 2018

Hi there and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to address your concern. From the picture you provided it does look as though there is quite a bit of redness / irritation. I would recommend using Sentry wound ointment, which you can find at PetCo or online. You can apply this twice daily to the area. If there is no improvement after 48-72 hours, I would recommend having this examined by your veterinarian so that the most appropriate diagnostic and treatment recommendations can be made. I hope this helps! Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns and I would be more than happy to help you further.

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Other Answers

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    Answered By Maria DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on December 12th, 2017

    This looks like a hotspot. I would recommend bringing Jasper to a veterinarian to clip the area and clean it up. If it appears like a hotspot I would also recommend oral antibiotics and potentially topical medication to help. This can be caused by allergies but also something may have irritated Jasper's skin and just from him scratching at it can cause a hotspot. I wouldn't put an elizabethan collar on him right now since the lesion is on Jasper's neck. I would call your veterinarian and make an appointment for the earliest they have since the more he scratches at it the worse the lesion will get. Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

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    Answered By Mirissa Duncil, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on September 5th, 2017

    Hi and thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! From what I can tell in your pictures it could be a hotspot forming-if that is the case it may be an allergic reaction to something (a sting, bite, other environmental allergen). You can start by using a triple antibiotic ointment 2x daily on the spot-may sure your pet does not scratch the area or ingest any of the medicine. If it persists or worsens, you may have to take her in to see your regular vet for a good checkup and make sure that nothing more serious has come from it. I hope this helps!

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