Itchy Doggy

[carlydiamond]

So I'm pretty sure the dog has fleas due to the non-stop scratching although when I look closely through her black and white fur, I can't see anything.

I've tried the dropper twice, two weeks apart as recommended, and bathed her in flea shampoo, but she's still scratching like a demon.

Although I've had dogs before, they all managed to avoid fleas. Can anyone advise next steps? Should I try the tablets? Or is it vet time?

I would go through the vet to honest , it's not worth the aggro when you have fleas or ticks in the house .

I think some of the older treatments aren't so effective any more are they?
Try Bravecto.

Might not be fleas, could be a skin condition or allergy so definitely worth a visit to the vet rather than pumping her full of chemicals that could even aggravate it. What breed is she?

The scratching my dog does you would think she had fleas 24/7 but it's actually an allergy and when antihistamine doesn't work the vet gives her Apoquel which is fantastic but not cheap

My pug has been on apoquel and steroids for dermatitis. She was really suffering bless her and I have to be careful it doesn't flare. Might not necessarily be fleas.... I think you would be able to see them?

Thanks for replying and apologies for delay. I've been to the pet shop and they reckon, like a pp, that dogs had enough treatment and it's probably an infestation somewhere perpetuating the itching. But he said flea bombshell should be a last resort as they're not nice. So a bit confused what to do next really!

Sorry- should say, DD and I did spot one or two, so def fleas!

Be aware that allergies, causing itching, are increasingly common in dogs. As @Stomacharmeleon said, it could easily be an allergy and resulting dermatitis causing the itching and your dog may well need Veterinary care. I have 3 dogs, the youngest is only 6-months-old. She and my 9-year-old both have skin allergies 🙄

Thanks @AnnieSnap and others who mentioned allergies. I made an appt at the vet and he immediately said he couldn't see any fleas, so after bombing the house and washing all bedding/sofa covers and coughing up £60, she's now being treated for an allergy 😳.

She has tablets which have stopped the itching and I just have to try and identify anything she might have eaten differently in the last 3 weeks, or change of washing powder etc.

@carlydiamond it can make matters a bit easier if you have a blood test to see if they are allergic to certain foodstuffs etc. I’m waiting for Florapup to get a bit older because apparently their immune system needs to mature and that takes to a year old. Colin the 9-year-old was tested years ago. He is not allergic to any foods, his allergies are to certain pollens and house dust mites.

Thanks, I wasn't aware you could do this. Have just found a little black bug or two on doggo again so now wondering how right the vet was 🤔

The explanations are not mutually exclusive though.