Dog still itching after flea meds, scratching one ear. What can I do?

An oral flea preventive such as Nexgard or Simparica will help with chiggers, and it is safe to give in conjunction with Frontline. You may need to see your vet to get something stronger than Benadryl to control her itching however.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This is likely due to allergies and until these are improved, he will continue to itch. It really comes down to figuring out what is causing his allergies so that they can be treated or the specific allergen avoided. There are many things that can cause allergies though in most cases they can be broken down into 3 big categories: flea, food and environmental allergies. Allergies are usually worked up in a stepwise fashion starting with flea allergies as this is the easiest and cheapest to take care of. If not on a flea preventative, then it would be a good idea to get started on one. If already on one then it would be a good idea to change to something else (there are many new products out in the market). If not improved in 1-3 months then it is time to move on and check for food allergies by switching to a novel diet (new protein and new carbohydrate). If that does not seem to be the issue then you are left out having to check for environmental allergies which require blood and/or skin tests. Allergies can be very frustrating to deal with at first but so rewarding at the end when we are able to treat them effectively!

I don't think that the wounds you are describing are caused by chiggers. Fleas are still a possibility, I have found that products containing Fipronil do not work very well for flea prevention. I would also be concerned about mites, bacterial or fungal skin infection, or even cancer. I think it is time for Icis to see a vet so that she can get a diagnosis and some comfort. Benadryl will only help with itching if it is caused by an allergic reaction from histamine release, which does not seem the case. Dish detergent baths can be very irritating and drying to the skin, I would recommend a hydrating dog shampoo instead. I rarely use epsom salt baths for skin problems in dogs for similar reasons, it is much better used when there is swelling in the paws.

This is probably an allergic reaction due to an insect bite or a plant outside. those reactions tend to resolve within 48 hours without treatment. if the itchiness becomes too severe or if your dog is lethargic, take Chico to the vet in order to get an antihistamine or steroid injection which will stop the allergic reaction.

High quality flea preventatives are very effective, so I would be surprised if your dog is itching from fleas. Different flea preventatives utilize different mechanisms of action to kill fleas. Some preventatives work by killing the flea after it bites, so it is not unheard of to see one rare flea. The important part is that the flea is killed before it has a chance to reproduce and lay eggs. The next time you see dirt on your dog, try to put it onto a white paper towel and moisten it slightly. Flea dirt becomes a reddish-brown color when wet. If you do not notice a significant color change, it is just regular dirt. The dandruff may be appearing as a result of skin sloughing when your dog itches. Allergies to a wide variety of environmental influences and food are a common cause of itching in dogs. Consider discussing this intense itching with your vet because dogs can develop skin infections by introducing bacteria or yeast from excessive scratching.

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.

Chronic ear and skin infections may have an allergic component as stated by your veterinarian. It may be fleas, but the likelihood is reduced with regular flea control. Even then though, in a sensitive dog, one flea bite may be enough to cause a serious allergic reaction. The steroid (Prednidale) and antibiotic (Rilexine) are temporary fixes, treating just the symptoms but not the underlying condition. There are also environmental allergies and food sensitivities that may responsible. The sheer number of potential allergens is what makes diagnosing allergies so frustrating. Discuss allergy testing, hydrolyzed diets and food elimination trials with your veterinarian. A consult with a veterinary dermatologist ma be indicated. You should also discuss antihistamine use, either seasonally or year round, with your veterinarian. Atopica and Apoquel are prescription medications that may help treat allergies and can be dispensed by your vet. Consider adding an essential fatty acid supplement, such as a fish oil, to Irish's diet to promote healthy skin and coat. The EFAs may also help some with the itching and inflammation. DermCaps or EicosaCaps are two recommended products.