Hot spots (acute moist dermatitis) are rapidly developing, painful skin lesions that cause significant distress and require prompt treatment to prevent escalation and relieve suffering.
Hot spots are acutely painful - the combination of bacterial infection, self-trauma, and inflammatory response creates an intensely uncomfortable wound that dogs compulsively lick and bite, worsening the lesion. The rapid progression from minor irritation to significant wound means that early intervention dramatically reduces the welfare burden. An e-collar to prevent self-trauma is as important as medication in the immediate management phase.