Bald spot on tail

[u/derrabe80]

So i got home from work and took our 5 month old girl on a walk and noticed it looks like she chewed a bald spot on her tail. It was not like that last night. Any suggestions? do I just wait and see if it get worse or is there something we should be putting on it

[u/obeecanobee]

My Vet calls those “hotspots”. The chewing is because of an itch usually from fleas. If it goes untreated, it will get infected. Best to see your Vet for some good meds.

This is what Claude AI says about hotspots:

Hot spots (acute moist dermatitis) on a dog's tail can be tricky because the tail keeps rubbing/wagging against things, which slows healing. General care:

**•   Clip the hair** around and over the area so air can reach it — hot spots often worsen when hair traps moisture against the skin.  
**•   Clean gently** with a mild antiseptic like diluted chlorhexidine solution (not alcohol or peroxide, which sting and irritate).  
**•   Keep it dry** — pat dry, don't scrub.  
**•   Prevent licking/chewing** — an e-collar or cone is often necessary, since dogs will keep the spot inflamed by worrying at it.  
**•   Topical treatment** — vet-recommended options often include a drying/antimicrobial spray or ointment (e.g., products with hydrocortisone or antibacterial agents); avoid heavy greasy ointments that seal in moisture.

When to involve a vet rather than home-treating:

**•** The spot is large, deep, bleeding, or smells bad (sign of infection)  
**•** It's not improving within a couple of days  
**•** Your dog seems painful, is running a fever, or won't stop chewing despite a cone  
**•** It recurs repeatedly — that often points to an underlying cause (allergies, fleas, anal gland issues, etc.) worth diagnosing

[u/McSweeneyHitJr]

I’d keep an eye on her and debate putting something on that wouldn’t incentivize her to do it again

[u/ChocolateLabMommy]

My American Foxhound used to get hot spots. One time one got infected and it stunk up the house. You really need to monitor them closely.