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 Pet Central
Q&A
Q: Barley, our 2-year-old
Labrador retriever, has hot spots on his face. To prevent scratching,
we’ve used an umbrella guard. Our vet has also provided ointments. We
think the problem is due to an allergy, and we think it’s hereditary since
Barley’s mother had hot spots on her face. What causes the spots? And
how can we help Barley? -- S.F., Cyberspace
A: "Hot spots"
is an all-purpose term to describe an inflamed sensitive patch of skin
that irritates dogs, so they scratch, bite and/or chew there. Having hot
spots, per se, is not a diagnosis; there are many potential reasons for
them.
According to veterinary
dermatologist Dr. Lowell Ackerman, of Scottsdale, Ariz., hot spots around
the face can be due to fleas, ringworm, mites, inhalant allergies or food
allergies. To the extent that allergies may be a cause, Mom may indeed
have passed this problem on to Barley. You’re correct to promptly treat
the hot spots with a vet’s supervision. However, unless you deal with
the underlying cause, they’ll return again and again.
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