My dog is still itchy after Bravecto. Can I use Advantage too?

Related Answers from Veterinarians

• Answered By Debi Matlack

  Veterinary Technician

  Published on August 26th, 2015

  They can continue to itch, and, unless you have aggressively treated your dog AND your house and premises, the fleas may not actually be gone. Get your pet on a good topical or oral flea control through your vet. In flea control, you get what you pay for. Also consider asking your vet for a dose of Capstar. It kills the fleas on the pet starting in five minutes but only lasts for 24 hours.
  
  Treat your home environment. If you use a pest control service, tell them you are having a flea problem and they can adjust their treatment. Use a premise spray that also contains an IGR, insect growth regulator. This will keep eggs and larvae from maturing into adults and helps break the life cycle. Also, vacuum EVERY DAY, throwing out the bag or emptying the canister every time into an outside receptacle and spraying the contents with insecticide to kill the fleas you’ve vacuumed up.
  
  Treat your yard, since fleas are opportunistic and will hop a ride into your home on your pant leg without you knowing it. Concentrate on areas under bushes, in the shade. Fleas are less likely to be located in open sunny areas where it gets hot.
  
  If chemicals are a problem for you, you can use borax in your home. Sprinkle it into rugs, into corners and under furniture, use a broom to work it into the fibers and let it sit for hours, days even. It won't hurt you or your cat to have it present. Then vacuum it up, reapply as needed. Food grade diatomaceous earth can be gotten from a health food store and worked into the rugs and corners in the same way as borax. These treatments aren't as fast and effective as chemical insecticides but they can help.
  
  Consider boarding your pet for the day at your vet, to give you the opportunity to flea bomb your house without having to worry about your pet being exposed. They can bathe your pet and give a dose of Capstar while you treat your home.
  
  Be patient, you may have to repeat these steps multiple times 10-14 days apart to help break the life cycle.

  

  22Pet Parents found this answer helpful

• Answered By Mariya Gugel, DVM

  Veterinarian

  Published on December 2nd, 2017

  Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! You are correct in saying that Bravecto kills fleas, the product should work within a few days. However, Harvey can still be itchy from other causes such as a skin infection, sensitivity to food, or an allergic reaction to the flea bites. Fleas are also rather tricky to treat as they persist in the environment - things like carpets, couches, drapes, etc and can re-infest dogs in the home. I recommend vacuuming these areas in your home to try and get rid of any fleas that may still be present in the environment. You can definitely bathe Harvey, I recommend using a moisturizing dog shampoo or a flea shampoo. I hope this helps!

  

  3Pet Parents found this answer helpful