My dog has scabs and sores on face/neck after flea contact. What's next?

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

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.

Those are superficial bacterial infections on Barley's neck. There are many different reasons why this can happen. Sometimes its just a random bacterial infection. It could also be related to fleas. If it continues to come back as a chronic issue, then I would suspect allergies or a thyroid condition. If she only has a few lesions, many times these will heal easily. I would recommend to put her on an oral flea prevention such as Simparica or Comfortis to be sure that fleas are not related. I would also recommend to wash her in a medicated shampoo twice weekly for 2 weeks. If she is very itchy, you can try an over the counter antihistamine. If Barley is very uncomfortable or if the lesions are getting worse, the veterinarian will have antibiotics and stronger medications to clear up her skin. I hope the s helps and thank you for using Pet Coach!

Hi and thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! It looks like M has a skin infection. It is likely an allergy to the flea bite. A flea bath will kill the fleas for 24 hours but it is not an ideal long term resolution. She needs an oral or topical flea prevention every 30 days. You should treat all the pets in the home. She well need to see a vet for oral antibiotics and possible steroids to relieve the allergy. Good luck and kisses to M!

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

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! It is difficult to know without an examination. However, this is possibly due to a severe infection or even a growth is possible. I would highly recommend that you have her evaluated by a veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. Good luck and have a good night!

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! These skin lesions are likely pyoderma or superficial bacterial infection. Your veterinarian can prescribe an antibiotic and a medicated shampoo to treat them. The main thing is checking to see if there is any indication that she still have some evidence of fleas that could be causing these secondary bacterial infections in which case your veterinarian could consider something like Capstar to get rid of as many fleas as possible at once. Good thing is that these lesions are likely to resolve uneventfully. Good luck!