Could pink circles, hair loss, and black grit on my dog be fleas?

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! It is hard to see the skin in your pictures but it looks like a rash or comedones. If the reddish black things on her skin flakes off or are loose, wet them on a white tissue. If they melt away to a red streak that is flea poop. Flea dips and shampoos are NOT preventatives for fleas and the fleas that hatch on the carpet will jump right back on the pet. Fleas do not lay eggs on the pet but on the carpet. Bed bugs do not live on animals. I recommend a flea preventative like oral Nexgard, Simparica, Bravecto or topical Advantix ii or the Seresto collar. If there are no live fleas or flea dirt then she likely has a secondary skin infection or rash from an allergic reaction the the fleas. I would have her seen by your Vet so she can be provided relief. Also it looks like she has a paw infection which could be from environmental or food allergies. Good luck!

If you are seeing flea dirt on Bruce then it's likely with hair loss and based on those pictures that he has flea allergy dermatitis. However, There are other causes of these changes that include food and environmental allergies. I'd recommend taking Bruce to see your veterinarian as it is common to have secondary bacterial skin infections with flea allergy dermatitis. You will also need to use a quality flea preventative like Bravecto, Revolution, or Advantix. Flea preventative should be consistent as it can take as many as 6 months for fully eradicate a flea problem. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach and I hope Bruce's skin is better soon!

There are a number of things that could cause redness and hair loss in a particular area like this. The most common possibilities would include allergies (food allergies, or an allergy to something in the environment), fleas, or a bacterial or fungal skin infection. If Jackson isn't already on a good quality monthly flea control medication like Revolution or Advantage Multi, this is the first thing that I would suggest. If you're positive that he doesn't have fleas, I would recommend having him examined by a vet when you are able to - he/she can do some simple skin tests if needed to help diagnose the problem and get him started on appropriate medication to treat it.

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Poor Baby Girl! I think what your describing can still be fleas, especially if you are seeing small black things running around on her skin. Or if you are seeing black squiggley flecks that when wet on a paper towel 'melt" to bloody streaks (flea poop). Flea baths and topical flea treatments do not work as well to prevent fleas from jumping back on the dog. Frequent bathing strips products like Frontline, Advantage/Advantix and Revolution. I have seen dogs infested with fleas where Frontline is used. The fact that Baby Girl has sores makes me recommend that you have her examined by your Vet .She has to be uncomfortable and likely needs antibiotics and something to relieve the itch (prednisone or apoquel). The Vet can check her well for fleas and prescribe a more effective flea preventative (Nexgard, Bravecto, Simparica, Seresto Collar). I hope this helps and I wish Baby Girl a speedy recovery!

It's possible it's dirt or debris that Charlie laid in. Flea feces can also look like this. Collect a few of those dark colored flakes on a clean white paper towel and apply a few drops of hydrogen peroxide. Then gently rub it around. If the towel turns reddish or rusty colored, it's flea feces. It looks like Clay does have a few lesions so a skin rash or infection is very likely. Your veterinarian can help to treat this rash effectively. I hope this helps and please feel free to post any additional questions.

I am sorry to hear about Freckles. The black crusts could be flea dirt, which is digested blood left behind by the fleas (if you place it on a paper towel and wet the black debris and it turns a rust color then it is likely flea dirt). We can also get skin infections resulting in crust and debris in dogs. I would recommend an examination by his vet if he is very itchy. He may need oral medications, or a topical treatment such as a medicated shampoo like Duoxo Chlorhexidine may be needed.

The best way to determine if the dark specs are 'dirt' versus 'flea dirt' is to collect the specs on a clean white paper towel and apply hydrogen peroxide. If it turns rusty colored, it likely flea dirt. Flea eggs are very small and you are not likely to see those with the naked eye. Also, the best place to look for fleas is on the lower back and between the hind legs on your dog. If you determine that you are seeing fleas or evidence of fleas, I would recommend talking to your veterinarian about switching flea products. Hope this helps.