Why is my dog scratching, biting, and has bumps after flea treatment?

It sounds like Charlie maybe having an allergic reaction, which is very common in her breed. Allergic reactions can be caused by many things, such as insect bites, food, or environmental allergens. We may not find out what she is allergic to, but a vet can help with the symptoms. Other possibilities can be a skin infection, which also requires veterinary attention. Hope she feels better!

Looks like your little lady is giving herself some hot spots there. If there is a hot spot forming under the hair then the best thing to do is to remove the hair and cleanse the area with an antibacterial solution. Some dogs require topical and/or oral antibiotics and other dogs benefit from some steroids to stop the itch. Most hot spots are secondary to underlying allergies (inhaled/environmental, food, or flea). If seasonal environmental is most likely. The best way to help her would be to see your family vet to have the areas addressed topically and so that medications can be prescribed to treat any infection and stop the itch. I hope this helps and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

Hello. Is it possible that Charlie was bitten by something like a tick? This just looks like an acute inflammatory reaction. If you have some hydrocortisone cream, I would just rub a bit into the skin several times a day. If you do not have any cream, then please visit your Petco who will have several brands, including Zymox which is a very good product. If the area worsens or just does not seem to be healing, please consult your veterinarian. Thanks for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Skin problems in dogs are usually secondary to allergies. Due to the her having dry skin on her backside, and the history of fleas, I think that Samantha has a flea allergy. Flea allergies tend to make dogs lose hair and become very itchy on the back 1/3 of their body. The key to getting rid of fleas is to make sure that you treat the environment where Samantha is as well as her. The fleas that you can see are only the tip of the iceberg. Most of the flea life cycle is in the carpet , bedding inside and grass outside. There is a stage of the life cycle that can not be killed with pesticides. So- it is important to treat the dog and environment and then repeat it in 3-4 weeks. If your dog has a flea allergy, it is important to keep them on a monthly flea prevention because even one flea bite will make them itch. If your fleas are truly gone and you have Samantha on a regular flea prevention, she could have another allergy like an inhalant allergy. I would recommend a visit to the veterinarian to figure out what is going on with her abdomen. Bumps could be a sign of a bacterial infection. Your vet may be able prescribe a treatment to get her feeling better. The thing to remember about allergies and skin problems in dogs is that there is not one magic treatment that works on all dogs. It will require team work between you and your vet to determine what works best for Samantha. Don't get frustrated if the first thing doesn't work, go back in for a recheck and try the next treatment.

There are a few causes for the bumps you are seeing. Fleas are still a possibility. Bravecto is an excellent preventative, but it can still take 3 months for all of the fleas in Elli Mae's environment to die. She could still have a bacterial infection. Sometimes these infections need a second antibiotic or a longer round to effectively treat. I have occasionally used antibiotics for 3-4 weeks to get infection under control. Unfortunately, apoquel does not work very well on an as-needed basis. It works much better when given regularly. It is typically prescribed for twice daily use and tapering to once daily use. It is safe for long-term use. You can also try a medicated shampoo as a treatment, like Dechra DermaBenSs Shampoo which will help to flush the follicles. If the problem continues for another week, I would recommend a re-check with your vet.

Hello. I am sorry that Bailey has these issues. Often-times fleas/tick infestations can lead to secondary infections which need antibiotics to treat. This could be the 'bumps' on her side- they could be little pustules of infection. Without seeing her we cannot tell for sure. Also, after removing parasites it can take some time for the skin to calm down enough for the itching to stop. If she was covered in fleas/ticks, it is also possible she also has mange, which may require different medication to treat. The scabs and fur loss/thinning is likely due to itching/scratching and self-trauma from the irritation. Keep her clean and dry, and if you can bring her to a vet to ensure all of the parasites are gone, and to check if antibiotics are needed. Flea treatment also needs to be repeated every 2 weeks for 3 treatments, to ensure you kill the fleas that have hatched from the eggs (the eggs survive your bath). Good luck with Bailey!

I recommend you get him checked by your vet - it is likely the damaged skin has become infected and very painful, hence the biting and snapping towards the area. It is likely he will need antibacterial and antifungal washes and possibly antiinflammatory medication to allow the skin to heal. An omega fatty acid supplement and rigorous flea prevention (including household flea spray to kill the eggs and larvae) are also recommended