My dog is scratching her back. Is it a hot spot? What do I do?

It sounds like she has a hotspot which could be secondary to allergies and/or an infection. The best thing would be to have your vet take a look at it to determine the best way to treat. She may need an antibiotic, anti-histamine, and or a corticosteroid to treat and your vet can prescribe. If you can't take her to a vet than you could clean the area with an antiseptic wound cleaner but if she keeps scratching the area than it will not heal. Covering the area probably will not work but you could get an E-collar to prevent her from scratching.

Poor girl. This looks like classic allergic dermatitis which is likely due to an adverse reaction to something in her environment. She now has an odor due to a secondary bacterial or yeast infection. She will need to see your vet to have the skin tested to determine the kind of infection, then started on medication to clear this up. She will also need allergy medication to help calm down the itchiness and redness. Two viable options for most dogs with skin allergies are either oral Apoqeul or injectable Cytopoint. There is also allergy testing available through your vet, if you are interested in getting allergy shots formulated for Maggie. Here is more information on skin allergies in pets--> https://veterinarypartner.vin.com/default.aspx?pid=19239&id=4951973 Until you can get Maggie in to be seen by your vet, you can try an over the counter pet formulated spray to help alleviate the itching. A "hot spot" spray or one that contains hydrocortisone would be most suitable for this. I hope that Maggie's skin improves soon! Best of luck and take care. : )

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This looks like a hot spot. This is basically a bacterial infection secondary to self-trauma such as scratching. This is possibly secondary to allergies or another cause resulting in itchiness. I recommend that you have Bella evaluated by your veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. If confirmed a hot spot on examination, then they would start her on antibiotics and something like steroids to decrease the itch. In the meantime, you can use an e-collar which you may get from your local pet store to try to prevent further scratching. Good luck and have a good night!

Looks like your little lady is giving herself some hot spots there. If there is a hot spot forming under the hair then the best thing to do is to remove the hair and cleanse the area with an antibacterial solution. Some dogs require topical and/or oral antibiotics and other dogs benefit from some steroids to stop the itch. Most hot spots are secondary to underlying allergies (inhaled/environmental, food, or flea). If seasonal environmental is most likely. The best way to help her would be to see your family vet to have the areas addressed topically and so that medications can be prescribed to treat any infection and stop the itch. I hope this helps and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

You will need to take your dog to a veterinarian for a skin exam. Your dog could be suffering from an allergy, mites, fleas, a bacterial or fungal infection. each of these requires a different treatment, so it is important to find out what is causing the itch. This does, however look like a bacterial infection, Your vet will do a thorough exam and maybe a a skin scrape. He will then discuss the options with you and then prescribe medications such as antibiotics and possibly an antibiotic/antifungal shampoo.

This presentation could be due to a trauma or localised spot of skin infection (likely to be caused by bacteria and commonly called hot spot). A check up, appropriate disinfection and antibiotics (oral, topical or in a shampoo formulation) are needed to solve the problem. Disinfection can eventually be started at home with very diluted hibiscrub or betadine or salted water baths. Buster collar may be useful as well to avoid licking. Please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further.

This looks like an area of moist dermatitis or a hot spot. She probably had an insect bite or a small injury and has licked the area and made it more inflammed and larger. You need to use a cone or a shirt to stop her from getting to the area so it can heal. I would wash this with antibacterial soap and after rinsing apply a thin film of antibacterial ointment on it. You can also put some cortisone cream on it to reduce the itching and inflammation. Usually these heal quickly if you can prevent her from irritating the area. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for Pearl.