Why is my dog itching and flaky on flea meds after seeing one flea?

Bravecto is generally a very good product and at this point, especially with not seeing any fleas, it’s unlikely that they are the cause of itching. I don’t recommend to apply another product or to give the Bravecto early. Pets can be itchy for many reasons. Itching on the feet can be a sign that she walked through a chemical or plant that may be causing an allergic reaction. Also try to recall if she has had any new foods or treats as that could cause itching too. Lastly, environmental allergies can flare up when our homes are closed up in winter time with the furnace circulating large amounts of dust, dust mites and other indoor allergens. At home you can start her on an omega 3 fatty acid supplement for dogs, this will help improve skin health. You should also call you veterinarian and ask about antihistamines or if they think she needs something stronger. Bathing her in a oatmeal dog shampoo and conditioner can also help decrease itchiness. Most dogs can be bathed once a week. I hope this is helpful and please feel free to post any additional questions.

If you’re noticing increased itching in that area and you found a flea, you may try switching the flea prevention to see if that helps. Fleas can become immune to products. The top products on the market are oral products such as Nexgard and Simparica. Most pets can use these products but you should talk with your veterinarian before switching. They are administered once a month and at this point appear to work very well. If the itching goes away, then you know it was related to flea bites. Best of luck.

Fleas live in the environment, not on the dog. They just on the dog to feed, and jump off when done. If you haven't disinfected your home, that may be why Sunnie is still itching and you are starting to itch. Wash his bedding in hot soapy water, and vacuum the furniture and carpet surfaces. You can use a spray to kill fleas in the house, such as Indorex, or a flea bomb would work well to kill the fleas in the home. If this doesn't help, then I'd be concerned it could be something else contagious going on like mange or ringworm. Then I would take him back into the vet, and have you see your doctor. Best of luck.

Scratching is one of the most common signs of fleas for many pets but can also be caused by a variety of other conditions. Fleas are tiny black insects that walk through a dog’s fur. Adult female fleas lay 40 to 50 eggs per day, which can fall off of the dog into the surrounding environment. So many eggs can contaminate the environment, to the point where the majority of fleas present are living in the environment with only five percent of the fleas living on the dog. Sometimes fleas can be identified easily with the naked eye or with the help of a flea comb. Fleas provide telltale evidence of their presence by leaving flea dirt behind, which resembles specks of pepper. In order to differentiate between flea dirt and run-of-the mill dirt, some of this debris can be smashed on a damp white paper towel and will turn a reddish-brown as a result of digested blood. Fortunately, fleas can be treated and prevented at home with a number of different high-quality products, such as Credelio, Nexgard, Bravecto, Simparica, Comfortis, Trifexis, AdvantageMulti or Revolution, which are available with a prescription from your veterinarian. Other good quality options include Advantix II or Capstar, which are available over the counter. Regular, consistent use of these products is the most important aspect of treating an existing flea problem, as well as preventing future issues. Consult with your veterinarian about the best choice for your individual dog. ### Capstar is a trademark of Elanco or its affiliates.

It is hard to say what is causing Bacardi's problems. The third picture you included looks like pus, which would indicate infection and would need antibiotics to treat. Some dogs can be allergic to fleas, and it may only take 1 bite to make them itchy all over. If you are seeing scabs from where you applied a flea medication or flea collar, it may be irritating the skin so I would recommend removing it and bathing with dog shampoo thoroughly. Causes of itching in dogs include fleas or flea allergies, mites, or skin infection. The hair in the second picture looks like normal shedding to me, but if you feel it is weird for Bacardi, it could be caused by inflammation or from the extra itching she is doing right now. You can try a shampoo like Dechra MalAcetic Ultra Shampoo, but if it doesn't respond in a day or two, Bacardi should be seen by a vet as she may need oral medications to control the itching.

Fleas live on the surface of the skin, and a live flea will definitely move if you try to touch it. A dead flea would be easy to pick up and remove from your dog's skin. It can be difficult to differentiate flea dirt from regular old dirt - if you comb some of the dirt and put it on a white paper towel and then wet it with water, flea dirt will turn red because it is digested blood. Flea eggs are too small to see without a microscope. A flea comb can make it easier to find both adult fleas and flea dirt - run the comb along your dog's back near the base of the tail since this is typically where fleas like to hang out. Also, if your dog is not on a flea preventative I'd recommend talking to your veterinarian about recommendations.

If he has a flea allergy than it will probably take a little bit of time for the itching to resolve. You could ask your vet for an anti-histamine or a corticosteroid to help relieve the itching. Make sure to use a monthly flea prevention, like NexGard, Frontline, Advantage, etc every month to prevent him from getting fleas again.