Dogs are considered to be man’s best friend. They become part of your family and not as domesticated animals or pets. You give them love, care, and protection from all harm that might come. You spend time playing and training them with new tricks.
It does get hard sometimes as they can be unpredictable, which leads to different problems. Even with those, we still find our furry friend worth having with us.
Playing time with your canine friends can be fun, especially during the summer, where it’s always good weather. As exciting as it can be, there’s a possibility that your fur babies can get hot spots. It occurs when they continuously scratch a part of their body, leading to bruises that can get infected.
You should not take hotspots lightly as it can cause pain to your dog. The great news is that there’s already a cure to heal their hotspots. There’s a home remedy that you can use, and that’s apple cider vinegar. Don’t worry, and we’ll guide you from the start to the steps to apply the vinegar to your furry friend.
What Is A Dog’s Hot Spot?
Hot spots are also called as moist dermatitis wherein some parts of the dog’s skin become swollen and get infected. It starts with small spots that are moist and red. If left unattended, it will be infected with bacteria that will cause itchiness to them. It can cause pain to them if they continue to scratch or chew that part of their skin.
What Causes Hotspots?
Various things can cause hot spots on your fur friend. Below are the factors that you should be aware of to prevent your dog from getting worse cases of hot spots.
• Parasites
There are external and internal parasites that can cause those hot spots. External ones are fleas and ticks that are common, especially to those on dirty areas or streets. Internal parasites are heartworms and tapeworms that eats its host’s nutrients. Both can cause itchiness, which leads to frequent scratching that will cause hot spots.
• Dirty Coat
Playing at the park can get your dog dirty, and hot spots can develop when that happens. It’s important to do regular bath time to clean their coat and prevent hot spots from occurring.
• Stress
External or internal physical factors are not just the ones that cause hot spots. Stress also plays a part in developing hot spots. If a dog is stressed, they will scratch or chew on their skin frequently that triggers those spots.
• Skin Irritants
The same thing with humans; there are certain chemicals that can cause irritations on the dog’s skin. Soaps, shampoos, dyes, dandruff are common things that can cause those irritations. Such strong chemicals can form hot spots on their skin and cause pain on your furry babies.
• Food Allergies
You should know that there are foods that your dog is allergic from. Allergy from foods can have worse effects on them, including vomiting, diarrhea, and skin conditions such as hot spots. It’s better to see a vet to know what kind of diet you should give to your dog.
What Are The Symptoms Of Hot Spots?
As an owner, you should be aware of the symptoms of hot spots. If a dog has spots, he could frequently be scratching a part of his body. It also causes swelling and redness around the area of the spot. It’s usually seen at the head, hips, and limbs, but it can occur anywhere around the dog.
Apple Cider Vinegar As A Treatment
Now that you’re aware of the causes of hot spots, you can prevent it from happening to your dog. The question is, what if your dog already has hot spots? What treatment should you do to heal those bruises that can cause pain to them?
There are different medications to heal your dog’s hot spots. One, is you go to your vet to have your fur baby check for the bruises or other skin infections. Certain medicines can be costly, so we’ll teach you how to use a product available at your house. Yes, we’ll use your apple cider vinegar as a treatment for your furry friend.
Now, follow the steps below to apply the vinegar onto your dog. Before anything else, do not directly use the apple cider vinegar to the infected skin. It will just burn your dog’s skin and cause pain to them. If you plan on using the vinegar for other purposes to your furry baby, make sure to add water.
1. Make sure that the vinegar you’re going to use is unpasteurized. It’s because that pasteurization is a process that requires heat, and that kills the good bacteria which we need. You can also buy an organic apple cider vinegar to ensure that they are not pasteurized and no added chemicals.
2. After finding the right apple cider vinegar, pour it in a bowl and mix equal parts of water.
3. Get a piece of cloth or cotton buds and dip it in the container. You can also use a bottle sprayer if you have one.
4. Find the hot spot and clip or trim the hair to expose it. You only need to remove the hair enough for the wound to be exposed and easier to put the vinegar.
5. Gently apply it to the bruises using the cloth that you dipped in the bowl. If you are using a bottle sprayer, then make sure to spray it close on the wound.
6. You can apply it a couple of times until the spot heals.
Apple cider vinegar has a lot to offer when it comes to the health of your dog. They can be used to clean ears, improves digestion, and heal wounds. Even if there’s a home remedy for hot spots, it’s important to go to your local veterinary clinic for check-ups on your canine friend.
Do you know other home remedies for hot spots? Please feel free to share it with the rest of us in the comment section below!
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