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My puppy won't stop itching; what's causing this persistent skin issue?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Labrador Retriever | Male | unneutered | 3 months and 1 day old | 22 lbs

My 3 month old lab puppy scratches all the time. I have been to the vet and he said mange the first time. Puppy pyoderma the second time and he is back to mange again. My dog is not losing his hair and my other dogs are not catching mange, if that is what he has. I have changed his food, wash his blankets in just hot water, given him antibiotics, steroids, Benadryl, 2 different internal flea and tick meds and he gets no relief. He gets fish oil, coconut oil, raw goats milk and he still itches.

3 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Joy Fuhrman, DVM, MBA, CPA

Veterinarian

Published on September 7th, 2017

The only way to definitively diagnose mange (Demodex) is by skin scrapings which should be repeated every 2-3 weeks during treatment until 2 negative skin scrapings are found. Make sure that the flea and tick medication prescribed will also treat mites (milbemycin or moxidectin) and keep in mind that the dosage frequency is different for mite treatment than it is for flea preventative. Treatment needs to continue for 1-2 months after there is a negative skin scraping. Steroids are usually contraindicated in treatment of Demodex. Demodex mites are not contagious to other animals so your other dogs may not be affected.

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Rebecca, DVM
Veterinarian
Poor Finn. Skin problems can be frustrating. There are two types of mites that can cause mange and only one is contagious. Labs also tend to be prone to allergies or stops, especially more dilute colors like chocolate labs or silver labs. If Finn isn't responding to therapy you may want to discuss referral to a veterinary dermatologist or allergy work up next.
https://vcahospitals.com/montgomery-road/services/primary-care/allergy-and-itchy-skin-relief

I hope Finn is better soon. Thanks for using PetCoach.
0Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Daniel Fonza, DVM
Veterinarian
Hi there and thank you for using Pet Coach! Commonly, puppies with mites will develop secondary skin infections such as pyoderma. This skin infection can make them quite uncomfortable. Generally, I like to have my puppies with mites come back for multiple visits every 2-3 weeks for repeat skin scrapings post-treatment to ensure the mites are no longer present. If you have not been going in for recheck appointments to see if the mite infection is resolving, I would recommend doing this and continue treatment for mites until Finn has 2 negative skin scrapes (test used to check for mites). If the mites have resolved and so has the skin infection, it might be time to visit a dermatologist for a second opinion, especially if Finn has gone through all of the treatments you have mentioned. On a side note, if Finn is still infected with skin mites, he should not be given a steroid as this can lower the immune system and make the mites worse. I hope this helps! I hope Finn finds relief soon! Please feel free to contact me with any other questions or concerns you may have. I am also available via phone or text consultation.
0Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Smart Picks for Smart Questions

Related Questions

Why is my dog's skin red and itchy after demodex mange treatment?

It isn't uncommon for dogs going through mange therapy to initially get itchier as the mites die and cause inflammation. However secondary infections are also very common with mange. It is common for a dog to be on antibiotics and perhaps an anti-itch medication in addition while being treated for the mange. You could call the veterinarian that prescribed the mange treatment to discuss antibiotics and/or medication to help with his itching. Sometimes a topical shampoo helps but often oral medications are needed.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My dog has mange. Is it scabies or demodex? What's the treatment?

Demodicosis and scabies are caused by 2 different mites, Demodex and Sarcpotes, respectively. The only way to diagnose and differentiate between these mites is by a veterinarian performing a skin scraping. This technique essentially scrapes away the top few layers of skin cells and bit of blood just under the outermost cells so that the sample can be examined microscopically. The mites are diagnosed during this microscopic exam and can easily be distinguished. There are two different prescription based medications for each mite, but must be given under close veterinary supervision. If you are concerned about mange, Jack should see his vet for both diagnosis and treatment. I hope that all goes well!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

My 5-month-old beagle has recurring itching and scabies. What helps?

Prescription monthly Nexgard flea and tick preventative also kills mange and is approved for a 4 month old dog (monthly Simparica and Bravecto every 12 weeks also work off label to kill mange but are labeled for dogs 6 months and older). She can be just on monthly Nexgard without the ivermectin therapy but both are safe as well. I recommend inquiring with your vet about monthly Nexgard for Winter and seeing if she may have underlying allergies as well which can predispose dogs to getting mange. Prescription Apoquel pills or monthly Cytopoint allergy injections Injections are both very effective in treating itchiness from environmental allergies (typically characterized by paw licking, scratching, chronic anal gland issues, chronic ear infections). Good luck!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Food & Nutrition

My puppy has patchy skin & suspected demodex. Home remedies aren't working.

It probably is demodectic mange. I suggest you talk to your vet about putting him on Nexgard or Bravecto. Both are oral flea tablets that coincidentally also treat demodex. Easy to do and relatively inexpensive. They are prescription drugs though so you need to get them from your vet. So much easier than all the things you are doing and it works better. Hope this helps. Best wishes.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My 3-month puppy scratches, bites, has bald spots. Mites or allergy?

Unfortunately, if you are unable to take her in for diagnostic testing, the best thing you can do is use the drugs that were provided to you by your veterinarian already. Demodectic mites and/or fleas would definitely be the top differential for these symptoms in a pup of this age. Often multiple treatments with Revolution or a drug like it will be required to get the symptoms under control. Sometimes, even if the symptoms are resolves, continued treatment Revolution is recommended for another couple of rounds to make sure there are no residual mites still living on the body's surface. I would agree that a grain allergy at this age would be highly unusual but certainly not impossible. Hope this makes sense.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My dog's demodex keeps returning. What are my treatment options?

Mara needs the medications to treat the mites. Some dogs do need lifetime treatment. The good news is that many dogs will respond to the new oral flea and tick medications such as Nexgard and bravecto which may clear or keep demodex in check. Mara should also be spayed- demodex has a genetic component so she should not have puppies but beyond this each heat cycle stresses her immune system and makes an outbreak more likely. Grain free is not necessary, while it shouldn't hurt her it is a marketing gimmick by food companies and not based on medical research. Please schedule her a veterinary visit asap to get her treated, the skin infections that accompany demodex are severely painful. http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My dog has chronic skin issues and itching. Vet didn't help. What can I try?

KEO certainly sounds uncomfortable! Skin issues can be difficult to manage and can take a very long time to improve. Since KEO's skin issues have occurred since he was a puppy, I am curious if he has ever had a skin scraping for Demodex mites. This mite can be transmitted to puppies from their mother. Other causes of chronic itchiness include allergies to food, environmental changes, fleas, or other insects. KEO's head shaking could indicate ear mites, but dogs more commonly develop bacterial and/or fungal (yeast) ear infections. Make sure that KEO is receiving a high quality flea and tick preventative (such as Nexgard, Bravecto or Advantix) regularly and bathe him every 1-2 weeks in a gentle oatmeal shampoo. Otherwise, there are no effective at home remedies for this situation. I understand your concerns for KEO's comfort, but at this point, it sounds as though your best bet is to take him back to the vet for a recheck exam. Excessive itching can cause a skin infection, which requires prescription antibiotics and anti-itch medications. Ear infections require prescription ear medications based upon the type of infection present. If he is diagnosed with Demodex mites, he would need prescription medications to treat these. I hope that all goes well!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

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