The development and causes of wet dermatitis
Wet dermatitis starts with local skin irritation or itching, which the dog begins to lick, scratch, or chew intensely. Common underlying causes can include moisture left in the undercoat after swimming and rain, flea or tick bites, otitis externa, or blocked anal sacs.
Constant licking and mechanical rubbing break down the protective layer. Bacteria that naturally live on the skin are given the opportunity to multiply rapidly, leading to the formation of a painful, red, oozing sore.
Recognizing the symptoms
In dogs with thick undercoats and long hair, the initial hot spot is often hidden under the dense coat until the lesion has already expanded significantly. The main sign of infection is the dog's sudden attention to one specific area of the body, such as the neck, hips, base of the tail or behind the ears.
The affected area of skin becomes hairy, red, moist, and has an unpleasant odor. A purulent discharge collects on the skin, and the dog feels a strong sensation of heat, making the area very painful to touch.
First aid and prevention
For the skin to heal, it is necessary that the damaged area is aired throughout the wound and that any licking is excluded. The hair around the lesion should be carefully trimmed to prevent the development of an additional greenhouse effect under the hairs stuck with purulent secretions.
The trimmed and cleaned wound should be disinfected with an antiseptic solution intended for pets, for which products containing chlorhexidine are well suited. The dog should definitely start wearing a protective collar, because licking the wound will nullify all the cleaning work and spread the inflammation to deeper layers of the skin.
Keeping your dog's undercoat dry helps prevent hot spots . This means drying the entire undercoat thoroughly after every swim or walk in the rain. Another measure is to make sure your dog's parasite control is always up to date.
When is a visit to the vet inevitable?
Since hot spots cause severe pain to the dog and can quickly progress to deep pyoderma, a visit to the vet is usually unavoidable. For larger or deeper lesions, the dog may need anti-inflammatory medications, antibiotics, or a special medicated shampoo.
In addition to providing quick pain relief, your vet will also determine the root cause of the inflammation, whether it is the need for parasite control or treatment of chronic inflammation. Eliminating the primary cause is the only way to prevent wet skin inflammation from recurring in the future.
From sources
The article is based on the treatment reviews of the European Society of Veterinary Dermatology and the clinical guidelines for skin diseases of the World Association of Small Animal Veterinarians.
