My dog keeps itching raw spots despite flea meds. What's wrong?

It is difficult to tell from the picture but this looks like it may be a spot of local skin infection. This infection, along with the fleas, is likely what is making her so itchy. I would recommend getting Dove on a good oral flea prevention. You may want to also try giving her some benedryl to help stop the itch. If Dove is continuing to bite despite all of this the you will need to take her to the vet to be checked out. I hope this helps. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Best of luck.

Charlie Ferreira looks like she may have a chronic bacterial/yeast skin infection +/-mange (from skin mites), likely secondary to chronic inflammation from environmental and/or food allergies. I recommend seeing a new vet perhaps, and starting her on an oral flea/tick preventative such as Simparica, NexGard, or Bravecto that also treats mange and will cover the cause of flea allergy dermatitis if she does have fleas. In addition, she may benefit from a 2 week course of an oral skin antibiotic such as Simplicef, a medicated antibacterial/antifungal shampoo such as Malaseb twice weekly for 1-2 months, and either a daily/year round allergy pill called Apoquel and/or a monthly allergy injection such as Cytopoint. Gradually switching her to an allergy diet such as Hills z/d or Royal Canin Ultamino at the same time or within a week symptoms don’t improve on NexGard, Simplicef, Malaseb and Apoquel will likely give you the best chance of resolving her discomfort and symptoms. Good luck!

Poor Pepper! Since it sounds like the antibiotics have not fixed the problem, I would recommend taking her back to the vet for a recheck exam. She may need some diagnostic testing, such as a skin scrape, to help diagnose what is causing the itching. Prescription medication like a short-term course of prednisone may also be needed to relieve the itching, in addition to treating whatever underlying problem is causing it. In the meantime, you can try using a topical hydrocortisone spray labeled for use in dogs (you can get this at most pet stores) to help relieve some of her discomfort until you can get her back in to see the vet.

Poor Achilles! I would stop putting peroxide on it, as it actually damages tissues and interrupts the healing process. It sounds like this spot is really itchy to him, and it could be caused by fleas, mites, ringworm, or allergies. If he isn't up to date on his flea treatment, he will need a spot on treatment such as Advantage or Revolution. You will need to disinfect the environment as well. If he is up to date on his flea treatment, I recommend taking him into the vet for an exam tomorrow. The vet can do blood tests, skin scrapings, and use a Wood's lamp to diagnose allergies, mites, and ringworm. Once the cause of the itching is found, the vet can prescribe the appropriate treatment.

Ouch, poor Rose! Some dogs are allergic to fleas and can become intensely itchy, which can then lead to the development of a bacterial skin infection, which only amplifies the itch cycle. You did the right thing by starting Rose on flea prevention (K9 Advantix II is my favorite OTC topical), but a flea collar is unnecessary. Be sure to continue using topical flea prevention monthly to prevent flea eggs from hatching to larvae and reproducing. With the redness on Rose's skin, it is highly suspicious that she has developed a skin infection, which requires antibiotics for resolution. There aren't any over the counter medications available to to help with her itching or skin infection, so Rose will need to go to the vet. The vet will be able to prescribe the best medication (likely antibiotics and anti-itch medications) for Rose to remedy this issue. I hope that she feels better soon!

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! From the pictures, it appears Riley has a skin infection known as a hot spot. She will need to be seen by a veterinarian to determine the underlying cause and get treatment for the infection and itching. Hope this helps!

Poor Duchess sounds very uncomfortable! If she isn't on a flea treatment program such as a monthly spot on treatment, then she certainly could have fleas even if you don't see them. Weekly baths do not provide any protection again fleas. It could also be allergies, but food allergies are actually rare in dogs so it could be environmental allergies or a flea allergy as you suggested. The only way to know for sure is to have her seen by a vet, and I'd recommend taking her today since she sounds so itchy. The vet can diagnose the cause of the itching and the best way to treat it. As for the drugs you mentioned, unfortunately, by law it is illegal for the experts at Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to give the dose information for any drug, including OTC drugs, without seeing the animal in person first. That's because doing so requires a veterinary client patient relationship which cannot be achieved via an internet forum. In addition, the experts cannot say for certain if a specific drug is safe for your dog. I can say, do NOT give sudafed to her, that is not safe drug at all for dogs. Good luck with the vet, I hope this helps!