Severe inflammation can lead to secondary bacterial or fungal infections, which might require dog antibiotics to treat, says Dr. “If the itch is so severe the pet is injuring itself to stop it-pain is a deeper sensation than itch if you feel pain, then you no longer feel itchy-they should be treated systemically,” says Dr. More serious cases of flea allergies in dogs don’t respond to localized treatment, so they often require a systemic approach to treatment and medication, says Dr.
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Richter points out there are also many nonsteroidal options available from your veterinarian, such as Cytopoint and Apoquel. “These drugs often have fewer side effects than steroids, but they are not necessarily free of concern,” says Dr. “Unfortunately they have many potentially life-threatening side effects and should be used with caution and only under a doctor's supervision,” Dr. If the inflammation is severe, corticosteroids are often needed, explains Dr. If all of the skin looks red and your dog is itching in multiple places, pet owners should see their veterinarian for some systemic therapy to provide relief.” Go to Your Vet for an Injection When Needed Kitchen says that gels can provide relief, but they “are not going to be effective if the affected area is larger than the palm of your hand. “Veterinarians are also able to prescribe topical medications containing steroids, antibiotics and/or antifungal medications,” says Dr. Richter suggests starting with natural products containing antibacterial enzymes and then talking with your veterinarian about topical prescription pet medication like hydrocortisone if you don’t see results. While there are many products out there for itching, Dr. If the itching is concentrated on a particular spot, topical treatments can be highly effective, as they are easy to apply and can be washed off if the pet has a reaction to them, says Dr. Talk to Your Veterinarian About Topical Medications All of these ingredients can be very helpful when it comes to soothing the itchiness and irritation of flea bites. Kitchen recommends asking your vet about prescription skin and coat care shampoos that contain phytosphingosine (helps repair the skin), chlorhexidine (antibacterial) and climbazole (antifungal). If your dog is really suffering from itchy, inflamed skin, Dr. Richter explains, “The key to bathing these dogs is to allow for 10 minutes of shampoo contact time before rinsing.” Vet's Best flea itch relief shampoo and TropiClean flea and tick bite natural after bath treatment are good examples, as they contain ultra-soothing medicated ingredients that can provide relief. Richter, dog shampoos containing oat proteins, aloe or tea tree oil can also be helpful for itching.
“Pick a soap-free shampoo, if possible, and avoid ingredients such as fragrances, perfumes or insecticides,” she says.Īccording to Dr. Ask Your Veterinarian About Soothing Dog ShampoosĪ cool bath with a mild, fragrance-free dog shampoo can be soothing and help decrease some of the inflammation, says Dr. Here are a few options for helping soothe flea bites on dogs that you can discuss with your veterinarian. Your veterinarian will determine the best course of treatment for the secondary skin infections. “The itch will continue until the infection is treated.” “The itching will also persist if the allergic reaction leads to a secondary skin infection called pyoderma,” says Dr. Jennifer Kitchen, DVM, from VCA Animal Hospitals. Richter.Įven if you’ve already treated the flea infestation, chances are that your poor pup will continue to itch until the inflammation disappears and the skin heals, says Dr. “Some dogs are more sensitive than others, and highly flea-allergic dogs can develop a systemic allergic reaction from flea bites that can last for weeks,” says Dr. “Flea bites are itchy because of antigens (chemical compounds) in flea saliva that dogs can have an allergic reaction to-this is the same mechanism that makes us itchy from a mosquito bite,” explains integrative veterinarian Dr. Flea bites are naturally itchy and can cause even more discomfort if your pet is allergic to fleas.
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