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My dogs have scabs, sores, and hair loss after flea meds. What now?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Dogue de Bordeaux | Female | unspayed | 2 years and 7 months old | 130 lbs

Hello, our friends has fleas so my boyfriend bought what they used on their dogs just as a precautionary I did not find any fleas on both my dogs. They have had them on for two days I took them off today because I noticed my dogs are weird scabs and open sores all over their body's.. and my Bacardi has been losing a lot of hair which I find weird at this time of year. I cannot afford to take both into the vet right now, I have not seen any fleas on either dogs.. but they are itchy.. what do I do

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1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Jenna Beyer, DVM, MBA, cVMA

Veterinarian, Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist

Published on August 3rd, 2017

It is hard to say what is causing Bacardi's problems. The third picture you included looks like pus, which would indicate infection and would need antibiotics to treat. Some dogs can be allergic to fleas, and it may only take 1 bite to make them itchy all over. If you are seeing scabs from where you applied a flea medication or flea collar, it may be irritating the skin so I would recommend removing it and bathing with dog shampoo thoroughly. Causes of itching in dogs include fleas or flea allergies, mites, or skin infection. The hair in the second picture looks like normal shedding to me, but if you feel it is weird for Bacardi, it could be caused by inflammation or from the extra itching she is doing right now. You can try a shampoo like Dechra MalAcetic Ultra Shampoo, but if it doesn't respond in a day or two, Bacardi should be seen by a vet as she may need oral medications to control the itching.

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