13/10/2026
🔥 HOT SPOT WARNING: Check under that coat! 🔥
Spring is here, and with it comes one of the most common (and most painful) skin problems we see: hot spots.
A hot spot is a patch of red, moist, infected skin that can flare up in a matter of hours. The tricky part is that it often brews under a thick coat, so by the time you notice it, it can already be large and very sore.
Who’s at risk?
Any dog can get them, but we see them most in Golden Retrievers and Labradors, especially in spring, when allergies, humidity and dense coats combine.
What to look for:
🐾 Damp, matted or sticky patches of fur
🐾 Your dog licking, scratching or chewing one spot over and over
🐾 Red, weeping skin, sometimes with a bad smell
🐾 Your dog flinching when you touch an area
Why it gets worse fast:
The itch makes your dog chew, the chewing damages the skin, and the damaged skin gets more infected and itchier. Severe hot spots can be as painful as a nasty burn.
How we treat them:
Because they’re so painful, most dogs need sedation so we can gently clip the hair, clean the infected skin and see how far it has spread. Treatment usually includes antibiotics and anti-itch medication to break the itch–scratch cycle so the skin can heal.
Our tip: Run your hands through your dog’s coat regularly this spring, especially around the neck, cheeks, hips and base of the tail. If you find a damp or sore patch, don’t wait. Early treatment means less pain for your dog! 💛
📞 Concerned about a spot on your dog? Give us a call on 59415994
