My dog is itching from small bugs. Are they fleas? Should I see a vet?

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! It is hard to see the skin in your pictures but it looks like a rash or comedones. If the reddish black things on her skin flakes off or are loose, wet them on a white tissue. If they melt away to a red streak that is flea poop. Flea dips and shampoos are NOT preventatives for fleas and the fleas that hatch on the carpet will jump right back on the pet. Fleas do not lay eggs on the pet but on the carpet. Bed bugs do not live on animals. I recommend a flea preventative like oral Nexgard, Simparica, Bravecto or topical Advantix ii or the Seresto collar. If there are no live fleas or flea dirt then she likely has a secondary skin infection or rash from an allergic reaction the the fleas. I would have her seen by your Vet so she can be provided relief. Also it looks like she has a paw infection which could be from environmental or food allergies. Good luck!

This looks like an area of infection and inflammation of the skin, probably from itching excessively. Sasha needs to be seen by a vet so she can be prescribed some antibiotics and possibly some itch medication. Your vet can also make a recommendation for a good flea control for Sasha. I hope this helps. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Best of luck.

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! It sounds like Rocko has been miserable despite therapy. Skin issues are some of the most difficult to manage sometimes. There are a few, less-common diseases that could be going on in his case to include things like auto-immune disease. At this time, it seems Rocko needs to be referred to see a veterinary dermatologist to get a more pointed treatment plan. I would recommend contacting your vet and asking if they think referral is the next step. Your vet may have another next step prior to referral such as soon biopsy before sending for referral, but I hope something gives him at least some relief in the meantime. A sedative may even be appropriate to help break the itch-scratch cycle. It is hard to see whether the bug is the correct size to be anything to cause an issue, but it most closely resembles a flea. Even with prevention, some dogs are so allergic, a single bite will cause an outbreak of allergies, so environmental cleaning with vacuuming and, sometimes, consulting an exterminator, can be necessary in addition to year-round flea prevention for all of your dogs and cats. I hope this helps!

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Unfortunately it sounds like something is biting him (like fleas, flea baths and dips only last a few hours to 1 days and do not prevent NEW fleas from jumping back on), or skin irritation from bathing or grooming or full anal glands. Sometimes gassy intestines or stomachs causing cramping will also make dogs jump up quickly. I would check his skin well for irritation or live fleas. I would use a long lasting GOOD flea preventative like the oral medications Nexgard, Simparica, Bravecto or the Seresto collar. I wish you the best!

Hi, thanks for using PetCoach! Poor Kobe! He looks as though he should be miserable. That location on the back is classic for fleas. I would check closely for that. Some dogs are flea allergic and it only takes one flea bite to cause an allergic reaction (from flea saliva). I would use a good flea and tick preventative on both your dogs. I like the Seresto collar or any of the oral medications (Nexgard, Simparica, Bravecto). Kobe should see a Vet to ease his suffering. You can find low cost veterinary clinics with in some SPCA's. He ideally needs antibiotics and steroids. You can try Benadryl and the medicated shampoo below. https://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=18832 https://www.petcoach.co/canigive/dog/benadryl/ I wish Kobe the best!

Hi and thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Sorry to hear about Hunny and your other dog. Fleas can be difficult to find but the easiest way is to get them to roll onto their backs and look in the thinner haired areas of the body. You can also purchase a flea comb which can trap flea dirt (small pieces of flea poop/digested blood) that looks like pepper or it traps adult fleas and other stages if present. Another method is brushing or petting the hair in the opposite direction of hair growth and look right down onto the skin level. Fleas like to hang out around the rear part of the dog near the tail and rump. Examine those areas closely. If you find some black pepper looking objects, place those on a paper towel and wet it. If the spots turn reddish than that is flea dirt. I haven't seen cases of lice in dogs but cats tend to have more lice especially ones that are wild or community cats. Dogs can also get ticks and mites which your veterinarian can help to identify. I would go to your vet and let them evaluate Hunny and make recommendations based on the physical exam. Flea/tick products vary widely depending on what the owner likes, geography, what your veterinarian likes, etc. They can direct you to the best products. Also, we are in a high allergy season in late summer with weed pollens. Dogs like people can be allergic but if both dogs are itching, they leads one to assume external parasites like you mentioned and I discussed. Good luck with Hunny.

Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! It looks like Bruce’s feces has tapeworm proglottids (or sections) in it. These are transmitted by fleas (when dogs eat them) which are likely to be causing Bruce’s itching. I recommend starting him on a monthly flea control product such as FrontLine and a flea shampoo. He should be seen by a vet to confirm the presence of tapeworms and receive appropriate deworming. Your vet can also examine Bruce for any other underlying conditions that may be causing these symptoms. You should bring a stool sample from your puppy to speed up the diagnosis. I hope this helps and that Bruce gets better soon!