Pet Care

June 2nd, 2026

Hotspots In Dogs

What is a Hot Spot?

Hot spots, also known as pyoderma, are superficial skin infections, that develop from bacteria multiplying on the skin’s surface, causing the skin to become irritated or damaged. These skin infections often begin when a dog repeatedly scratches, chews or licks at an area of skin. Hot spots will start as red, inflamed areas of skin that may be itchy, moist and painful to the touch. As the infection progresses, the area may start to have pus, hair loss and scabbing.

What Causes Hot Spots?

 Hot spots can be caused by anything that irritates the skin, which causes excessive licking, scratching or chewing. Common causes of hot spots include…

  • flea, fly or other insect bites
  • allergies
  • excess moisture on the skin
  • thick or matted fur
  • minor skin injuries or scrapes

What to Watch For

In the warmer months, bug bites, moist skin from swimming, and allergies increase the likelihood of skin irritation, increasing your dog’s risk of developing a hot spot. To help make sure you catch hot spots early, be sure to watch your dog for…

  • frequent scratching, licking or chewing
  • red, irritated skin
  • patches of hair loss
  • moist or oozing skin
  • crusts or scabs
  • areas that are painful to the touch
  • rapid enlargement of the affected area
If you notice any of these symptoms, please call the clinic to make an appointment and feel free to put a cone on your dog to prevent licking, scratching or chewing at the area, which would increase the severity of the hot spot.

Treatment

When coming to in to the clinic for a hot spot, the doctor will start by shaving and cleaning the affected area with antibacterial soap. Once the area is clean, the doctor can examine the hotspot and determine the severity of the affected area. The doctor will then prescribe treatments as they see fit. This may include antibiotics, anti-inflammatory medications, steroids to reduce swelling and itchiness, medicated shampoos or mousses, and a cone to prevent licking and scratching. 

A new treatment option available for hot spots is Phovia®. This treatment is a non-invasive light therapy used to help treat hot spots and other skin infections in dogs. A specialized gel is applied to the affected area and illuminated with a blue LED light for two minutes. The illuminated gel creates fluorescent light energy that penetrates the skin, helping to reduce inflammation, stimulate the body’s natural healing process and support tissue repair. This procedure is done twice weekly and the non-invasive nature of the procedure makes it well tolerated by most dogs. Phovia’s® ability to promote faster healing and reduce discomfort, makes it an excellent choice of treatment, especially for pets that are sensitive to antibiotics.

Prevention

To help prevent hot spots, it is important to…

  • use regular flea and parasite prevention
  • frequent grooming
  • proper drying after bathing and swimming
  • treating allergies and skin conditions promptly
  • monitoring your skin for