How to Treat Hot Spots on Cats

Have you noticed a raw, red, hairless sore suddenly pop up on your cat’s skin? It could be a hot spot. Cat hot spots are itchy, painful and need prompt veterinary attention. Here's what to do if you think your cat has one. See our full guide: https://www.chewy.com/education/cat/health-and-wellness/cat-hot-spot-treatment What Are Hot Spots on Cats? Also known as acute moist dermatitis and pyotraumatic dermatitis, hot spots on cats are superficial skin infections that occur suddenly. A hot spot happens when a cat licks, chews, scratches or bites their skin enough to make it raw. When the skin is irritated, bacteria overgrowth can create dermatitis, a full-blown skin infection. What Do Hot Spots on Cats Look Like? Hot spots appear suddenly, are very itchy and have the following qualities: Get bigger very quickly Well-defined edges Redness Hair loss Weepy, moist and raw skin Painful Hot spots typically show up as one single lesion, but there can also be multiple hot spots. Hot spots can also be hidden by matted hair. What Causes Hot Spots on Cats? Hot spots on cats aren’t primary skin diseases; they are almost always an indicator of an underlying skin disorder. Causes of hot spots in cats can include: External parasites, including fleas, mites and ticks Other stinging or biting insects, such as mosquitoes, bees or ants Allergies Contact dermatitis from hypersensitivity to a detergent or cleaning product Overgrooming from stress, anxiety or compulsive disorders Overgrooming from joint pain or anal gland pain Overgrooming a wound Ear infections and/or ear mites When to Go to the Veterinarian for Hot Spots These skin lesions are usually painful, and in general should be treated by a veterinarian as soon as possible. The hot spot may cause scarring and is painful for your cat, so take your cat to the vet if it hasn’t improved within a day and seems to be getting worse—or your cat won’t leave it alone or you are worried. Hot Spots on Cats Treatment Every veterinarian has their own way to treat hot spots, but in general, treating cat hot spots involves a five-step process: Removing all the hair on and around the hot spot with clippers Cleansing and drying the infected skin Testing (if necessary) to diagnose the cause Applying a topical medication to reduce pain and inflammation Administering antibiotics (if necessary) to fight the bacterial infection Fitting the cat with a recovery cone or shirt that will prevent them from licking/scratching the hot spot How Long Does It Take for Hot Spots to Heal? Depending on the underlying cause, hot spots can heal in as little as a week or they can take much longer. Your veterinarian will help manage your expectations. Most hot spots resolve quickly once the underlying cause is resolved. Can I Treat Cat Hot Spots With a Home Remedy? If you notice a hot spot on your cat, you may be tempted to treat it at home with over-the-counter human medications such as cortisone cream or triple antibiotic ointment. However, human OTC products are usually not strong enough to stop the pain or itching. In addition, most cats will lick the medication off as soon as you apply it. This can cause further issues when a cat consumes medication, as many human products have ingredients that are toxic to cats. Cat hot spots can get worse quickly, as the cat will continue to bite, chew, or scratch itchy or painful skin. For all of these reasons, home remedies are not recommended for cat hot spots. If you notice a hot spot on your cat, go to the veterinarian the same day if possible. If you can’t, call your veterinarian for advice on how to manage the hot spot until you can get an appointment. How to Prevent Hot Spots on Cats The best way to prevent hot spots on cats is to avoid exposing them to things that cause hot spots. This can include: Consistently using flea and tick prevention on your cat to prevent flea allergies Working with your local veterinarian or a board-certified veterinary dermatologist to diagnose and treat other allergies If your cat has seasonal allergies (atopic dermatitis), options for treatment include avoiding the allergen, immunotherapy, antihistamines or other prescription-strength allergy medication If your cat has food allergies, work with your veterinarian to conduct a food-elimination trial and/or feed your cat a therapeutic, hypoallergenic food Have ear mites and/or ear infections treated promptly Provide environmental enrichment and appropriate resources to your cat to reduce stress Talk to your veterinarian about pain control for joint disorders that might cause over-grooming Consider giving your cat a high-quality fish oil supplement, which has been shown to benefit skin health Take your cat to the vet annually to catch any problems early #chewy #chewtorials #hotspots #cats #cathealth