My dog has stubborn fleas and skin scabs. What gentle treatments work?

It probably is skin irritation from the fleas. Kobey may have a flea allergy. The Seresto collar is great! Good choice! The only other thing I would do is treat the environment - in the house and the yard for fleas. I like these products. https://www.walmart.com/ip/Adams-Yard-Garden-Spray-32-0-FL-OZ/44432720 https://www.walmart.com/ip/Adams-Flea-and-Tick-Control-Home-Spray-24-oz/44432722 Finally I would use this medicated shampoo on him. Not a flea shampoo but this one that has medication to help heal his skin and relieve itching. https://www.walmart.com/ip/Veterinary-Formula-Clinical-Care-Hot-Spot-and-Itch-Relief-Medicated-Shampoo-for-Dogs-and-Cats-16-fl-oz/24885757 I hope this helps. Best wishes!

Hi, thanks for using PetCoach! Poor Molly! I do not think it’s a reaction to the topical flea medication. It looks and sounds like a bacterial skin infection. Molly should see your vet for an exam and if they agree be prescribed an oral antibiotic. You can try the below shampoo. Bathe her twice weekly and allow the lather to sit on her for 10mins before rinsing. Good luck! https://m.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=27975

Unfortunately fleas do not live on the dog, but only hop on to feed and then they hop off and stay in his environment (your apartment!) until it is time to feed again. So you need to treat all pets in the household as well as the environment (which contains the fleas, their eggs and larvae). Flea treatment:  1) Get some flea medication such as a Flea spray or a spot on from a pet shop or your veterinarian and apply monthly (which you have done already) 2) get flea powder, put some in your vacuum cleaner bag and vacuum your house and furniture and also non-carpeted areas frequently to remove flea larvae and eggs which live off house dust., Dispose of the bag in the trash outside. Hot-wash all the pet's bedding, If you do this diligently for a few months you will get rid of the fleas. Flea products: Spot-ons: Advantage, Advantix Advantage Multi Frontline (ticks as well) Bravecto spot on (ticks as well) - for cats, in tablet form for dogs Nexgard Revolution Tablets: comfortis (will only kill fleas once) Collar: Seresto (ticks as well) House spray: Indoorex

Treat the environment, both inside and out for fleas. then you can do a seresto collar that will last about 6 months to help repell the fleas from getting on him and give a bravecto tablet that will last for 3 months and kill an fleas that get on him. It is proven that good flea control must be utilized for at least 3 months straight to break the life cycle of the eggs to eliminate the problem. His skin does seem inflamed and infected so your vet may need to see him to give him antibiotics and possibily steriods to contorl the itching and clear the infection until the fleas get under control.

Hi, thanks for using PetCoach! Fleas usually cause red irritated skin and hair loss. This MIGHT be from the fleas so you can monitor him for 2 weeks to see if it improves. My feeling is that is is unrelated. I would bathe him in the shampoo below weekly for 2-3 baths and leave the lather on for 10 mins before rinsing and I would add in a Omega 3 fish oil to improve skin and coat health. Fleas get really bad Aug-Oct so be diligent with your prevention. Good luck! https://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=19121 https://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=21564

Sounds like she not only has fleas, but likely a flea allergy as well. Poor thing! Fleas can be very hard to get rid of as various life stages can remain present in the environment. Treatment focuses on several factors: 1) A good flea preventative such as Simparica or Trifexis. I prefer oral medications as they allow you to bathe your pet as necessary 2) Capstar- this will kill all fleas on your pup in a couple of hours, but has NO preventative quality 3) Cleaning of the enviroment- vacuum often. Wash bedding in hot water. Use a flea bomb in your home. It can take 3 months to truly eradicate them from your home 4) A medication to provide relief from itching. I prefer Cytopoint which is a once monthly injection that halts the inflammatory response in the body with very few side effects. Apoquel is an oral medication that is also a good choice. A low dose of a steroid is also an option, but has more side effects such as excessive drinking and urination. The key with fleas is to treat all of your animals,and your home concurrently. Be patient and persistent. I am sorry you are having to deal with this!

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Poor Leo! Fleas are nasty and can be resistant sadly to holistic remedies as well as most of the topical flea preventatives. I recommend the new oral flea and tick preventatives. I like Nexgard or Simparica which are both monthly or Bravecto which is one pill every 3 months. I also like the Seresto collar which repels the fleas and ticks as well. It also lasts 8 months. The orals listed above will be quicker than the collar. Also be sure to treat all the animals in the house. I hope this helps and I wish Leo a speedy recovery!