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My Lab has itchy, flaky skin and is losing fur. What's wrong?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Labrador Retriever | Female | spayed | 7 years and 2 months old | 50 lbs

I have a 7 year old lab who I got when was two and hasn't been to the vet since. She has very irritated, itchy, flaky skin and I have no idea how to help her get her hair back. Any suggestions?

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3 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

Veterinarian

Published on May 4th, 2017

Poor Marley's skin looks irritated! In order for her to be able to get her fur back, the cause of the itching needs to be diagnosed and treated. This itching can be caused by fleas, mites, ringworm, or allergies. If she isn't up to date on her flea treatment, she will need a spot on treatment such as Advantage or Revolution. You will need to disinfect the environment as well. If she is up to date on her flea treatment, I recommend taking her 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. Tonight, you can give her an oatmeal or Epsom salt bath to see if that helps temporarily with the itching.

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    Answered By David Elbeze, DVM, MRCVS

    Veterinarian

    Published on October 1st, 2018

    Scratching can be caused by various reasons such as fleas, mites ,fungal infection, bacterial infection and allergies. the first 4 needs to be ruled out before we start treating for allergies. in order to do that first de-flea her with a high quality flea treatment such as advantage spot on, if it doesn't help - take her to the vet in order to check for/treat the other possibilities. If everything is ruled out, then an allergy treatment can be started. Usually an hypoallergenic food is a good way to start together with anti histamines. if it doesn't help - the best solution is a medication called Apoquel which treats allergies with great success and without side effects.

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    Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

    Veterinarian

    Published on March 1st, 2020

    Poor Max. This scratching can be caused by fleas, mites, ringworm, or allergies. If he isn't up to date on his flea treatment, I can give you one for him. First, I would give him Capstar. It's a one time pill that starts killing fleas within 30 minutes. Then follow up with a spot on treatment, such as Advantage or Revolution. This is a treatment that has to be used once a month. You will also have to disinfect the environment. Wash his bedding in hot soapy water, and vacuum the furniture and carpet surfaces. You can use a spray to kill fleas in the house, such as Indorex, or a flea bomb would work well to kill the fleas in the home. 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.

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