My dog is still itching after bath, flea meds, and Benadryl. Help!

Related Answers from Veterinarians

• Answered By Megan, DVM, CVA

  Veterinarian

  Published on January 7th, 2018

  Poor Bentley! This could be caused from allergies, mange, fleas, fungal infection, bacterial infection and much more. You can try Benadryl and then bathing him in a medicated shampoo like a chlorahexidine shampoo. See link below for Benadryl dosing. If he isn’t improving I would have your vet take a look at him. Your vet will be able to determine the cause and get him started on the proper meds like possible antibiotics or stronger allergy meds if needed. I hope this helps!
  
  https://www.petcoach.co/canigive/dog/benadryl/

  

  2Pet Parents found this answer helpful

• Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

  Veterinarian

  Published on January 1st, 2017

  Unfortunately, by law it is illegal for the experts at Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to recommend using any drug, including OTC drugs, without seeing the animal in person first. That's because doing so requires a veterinary client patient relationship which cannot be achieve via an internet forum. In addition, the experts cannot say for certain if a specific drug is safe for your dog, or that it is the correct drug for your dog's symptoms. Bentley should see a vet for his itching so that the cause of it can be diagnose in order to treat him properly. This itching could be caused by fleas, mites, ringworm, or allergies. If he isn't up to date on his flea treatment, he will need a spot on treatment such as Advantage or Revolution. You will need to disinfect the environment as well. The vet can do blood tests, skin scrapings, and use a Wood's lamp to diagnose allergies, mites, and ringworm. Once the cause of the itching is found, the vet can prescribe the appropriate treatment. I recommend taking him into the vet tomorrow.

  

  1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

• Answered By Kevin Sanada, DVM

  Veterinarian

  Published on October 25th, 2017

  We cannot advise medication (legally and ethically) on Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach, but I can give you some ideas about how to help this problem. Itchy skin is often due to the following things:
  
  1) Allergies - this can happen suddenly and is usually due to an environmental (i.e pollen) cause.
  
  2) External parasites - fleas, lice and mites can all cause intense itching. It's good to check her for fleas and get treatment if needed.
  
  3) Over-bathing, or using the wrong product for bathing - Bathing too often can cause the skin to get dry and irritated. Dogs should normally be bathed no more than once a month with a shampoo that is labeled for dogs. If you bathe more than that, or use a shampoo or soap that is meant for people, then you could be damaging the normal protective barrier of the skin.
  
  It's worthwhile to take Heidi to the vet and find out the cause of the itching prior to giving any medication. One safe thing you can do for itchy skin, is give a bath with cool water using an oatmeal or aloe shampoo. You can get these shampoos at the pet store.
  
  I hope this helps and Heidi gets better soon.
  

  

  1Pet Parents found this answer helpful