So recently we posted a little bit about the plague of pups, hot spots. And we also talked about the two types of coats, and why it's often not a good idea to shave down a double-coated dog. Well, here's how the two meet: late summer and early fall are the prime times for hot spots in double-coated dogs! Double whammy!
Why? A couple of reasons: wet weather makes hot spots more likely, and goodness knows we've had our share of rain lately; fall allergens (especially pertinent to you snow-birds) cause itching which causes licking which causes... (yeah, you got it); and third, double-coated dogs are entering their fall shedding season, which means a build-up of old hair. All that means the poor skin underneath is ripe for bacteria, irritation, and infection. So make sure you're keeping your pup clean (wash allergens away with a Scenthound Express), combed and brushed (keep that old hair coming out and those mats away), and try to keep your pup dry, especially in the ear area, at the base of the tail, the belly, and on the haunches -- the places hot spots are most common.
So stay in, play tug o' war, and keep cool, dry, and allergen free in these Dog Days...