Drop them like it's hot! 

What is Pytotraumatic Dermatitis?

Pytotraumatic Dermatitis has many names. It is also known as acute moist Dermatitis or superficial canine pyoderma. The most commonly recognized term is "hot spots." Hot spots are caused by moisture or allergens becoming trapped underneath your pet's hair coat. These cause the skin to become irritated or inflamed for both dogs and cats.

When the weather is warm out, you will notice an increase in Pytotraumatic Dermatitis (Hot Spots) on your pet, your friend's pets, and your pet's pets should they have any of their own.

You may have seen your pet itching more than usual. This excessive scratching, chewing, or licking can be damaging to your pet if treated improperly. These hot spots can show up in as few as ten minutes of chewing or scratching. All pet parents must be prepared to properly handle these situations while improving the quality of life for their pets. These may be unsightly or terrifying to see as a pet parent, so we are here to help guide you.

First, remain calm. These hot spots are not dangerous if you properly disinfect, treat, and prevent your pet from continuing to gnaw or scratch at the affected area. If you feel uncomfortable doing this yourself, we always recommend you seek veterinary care. Your Veterinarian will always provide the best recommendation on how to maintain your pet's health properly.

If you feel comfortable being a do-it-yourself pet parent or have received instructions from your Vet already, have no worries. The spot itself can be treated at home in a place where your pet feels safe and comfortable. It is not recommended to use certain products that may make it worse, or even make your pet feel hurt or become aggressive. Let's go over some things you should NOT do when treating a hot spot.

Do not use something that stings (May cause your pet to attack, be aggressive, or become scared).

Do not use human topicals. Some of these may prove to be toxic for your pet. For instance, Zinc Oxide and be toxic to your pet if they lick it.

Applying Treatment:

 The first step to treating a hot spot is removing the excess hair around the irritation on your pet's skin. Keep in mind that your pet's skin may be raw, or easily irritated. Make sure they feel as safe as possible so you can do what you need to do effectively.

 The second step is to disinfect the affected area. Once you have adequately disinfected your pet's hot spot, you can apply a topical. Again, DO NOT use topicals designed for humans.

 Once you have cleaned, treated, and medicated the affected area, the key is the prevent your pet from making it worse before it heals. These wounds can be wrapped, or an inflated collar (recovery collar) can be placed around your pet's neck to prevent them from gnawing or biting again.

The MOST IMPORTANT thing you should do after this, is treat the source. This means:

• Great flea control all year

• Maintaining your pet’s coat (Cleaning and trimming)

• Cleaning ears

• Antibacterial shampoos can also be used to prevent this issue

Do all this, and you will be able to prevent or treat hot spots. As always, we recommend speaking to your Veterinarian for the best care possible. After all, our Pet Wish fur babies are valued family members. If you need an idea on where to start, here are some products recommended by almost all Veterinarians!