WHat to do about dog with bad fleas and dry skin?

My friend has a small breed dog about the sixe of a poodle. She has used many types of flea treatments, including Hot Spot,Frontline, and the good ole flea shampoos. The problem is he is still digging like crazy and no fleas are to be found. She says she has used products to treat dry skin and nothing ha helped the poor dog. He is not allergic to fleas either so I am out of reasons and ideas. If anyone has suggestions please share your advice!!

WHat to do about dog with bad fleas and dry skin?
I am guessing he may have a skin disease such as mange. Take him a vet for some expert advice and treatment.


But other than that theres not much you can do without a vet.


If you do spot anymore fleas its likely that they are jumping back onto him from furniture in the house. Fleas can nest anywhere, mainly in rugs or skirting boards. Make sure you treat the house aswel as the dog or the situation will just be ongoing. The treatments you've used are usually really effective exspecially frontline. Try give him a good bath and brush as much of the flea dirt out. And when applying the treatment make sure you are doing it correctly. Part the skin on the back of the dogs neck and smear on the liquid. Make sure he stays dry!





Here are some skin diseases found in dogs :





http://www.nzymes.com/Articles/dog_skin_...
Reply:May be an allergic reaction to one of the meds or shampoos. Pets can be just as sensitive to the ingredients in medications and other products as people can. Ask the vet or your local pet or health food store for a gentler and all-natural shampoo or ointment for the itch. Perhaps the vet can perform an allergy test.
Reply:Capstar it really works, no fleas in 30 miniutes!





http://www.medi-vet.com/Capstar.html
Reply:no more chemicals on that poor little dog. Its skin has probably been burnt by all those treatments. Go to the vet. You need a Professional opinion
Reply:It could be possible that the dog is alergic to something. maybe plants in the back yard?? If there are no fleas to be found then this could be possible. ???
Reply:I don't understand.





You say in your heading about fleas but then say in the body of your question that the dog does not have fleas?
Reply:First, remember fleas cause heartworms. So if there are fleas the dog needs to go to a vet for treatment and to recommend what to deflea the house and furniture with. If there are no fleas the itching could very well be food related. Our pets need quality pet food. Read the ingredients list and learn what the stuff on there is and what it does (or does not do) to/for our pets. A quick pet food 101. If the pet food contains corn/corn products or by products it is a poor quality food. Do not pay attention to advertising, they all say there food is great. Corn is a filler that can trigger skin problems. (allergies, skin problems, itching and excessive shedding) By products is anything from an animal not fit for human consumption, including cancerous tissue. Quality foods have meat as the first ingredient. California Natural, Solid Gold, Innova and Merrick are a few of the best brands available. If you want to learn more check out: http://www.sagekeep.com/petfood.htm www.api4animals.org/facts?p=359%26amp; more=1 http://animalark.eapps.com/animal/PetFoo...
Reply:First of all, she should go back to her vets and have a skin scraping done to make sure she does not have any other type of mite. Also talk about Dermititis or eczema- and there are particular treatments that are good for this. And allergies to either one of the products or something in the environment. Ask about shampoo recommendations (for dry skin); oatmeal based are fantastic and gentle but there are veterinary formulas that may be more helpful.





Secondly, the best product for fleas is Advantage, but it has to be used for 3 months consequtively (products like Capstar kill the fleas on the dog within 24 hours but to do not take care of reinfection due to flea eggs hatching). She also needs to vaccuum her entire house, through the bag away outside, and wash all the bedding that the dog sleeps on.





NEVER use any flea medication other than those recommended by Veterinarians as some (Hartz products) can actually be fatal. Frontline is not as effective for fleas as Advantage, but very safe. Revolution is another safe and effective option. Please keep in mind, you should not bounce from product to product and need to wait a certain period of time between switching to another. The veterinarian based products sit in the lipid layer (fat) of the skin and are not systemically absorbed (with the exception of revolution, but it's used for heartworm prevent and intestinal parasites) and they do not use insectisides, thus are very safe.





Thirdly, she should get on a supplement for her skin. There are some great products offered by veterinarians that are safe and effective; or you can add fish oil-Salmon oil is the best- and follow the dosing information. Dry skin will take a bit to deal with especially since she's been hit with so many different chemicals.





Best of luck