Why is my dog still scratching after Trifexis for fleas?

Related Answers from Veterinarians

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  Answered By Allison Newth, VMD

  Veterinarian

  Published on July 13th, 2017

  This is a good product for fleas and ticks, however, if they did have fleas before you applied the product there could be fleas in the environment that are still getting on them. Flea infestations require heavy cleaning (all pet bedding should be washed and dried on hot once a week for a month, the whole house should be vacuumed daily for 1 week and then weekly for three weeks, this includes vacuuming furniture and anywhere fleas could have jumped off your dog and laid eggs. You have to get those eggs out of the environment). Additionally, just like when humans get bug bites, the itch doesn't go away as soon as the bug flies off of us. Your dogs could be itching from flea bites they received days ago. There are also many other reasons dogs itch including food allergies, seasonal allergies, mites, and contact irritants such as harsh shampoos, just to name a few. Your veterinarian would be able to help you determine whether Baby and your other dog may have something other than fleas causing them to itch.

  

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  Answered By Dr. Heidi DVM, CVA, CCRT, CVTP, CVSMT, CVCH

  Veterinarian, Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist, Certified Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner

  Published on June 6th, 2018

  Trifexis has a product guarantee if you purchased it from your vet, so I would recommend contacting your vet to get the guarantee started and decide on a treatment plan for the fleas. I am attaching a link about the guarantee below. https://www.trifexis.com/about-elanco/our-guarantee Since Pierre is so itchy, I would recommend having your veterinarian examine him to see if he needs any medication for the itching to make him more comfortable while the fleas are being treated. Good luck! I hope that was helpful. Thanks for using PetCoach.

  

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  Answered By Megan, DVM, CVA

  Veterinarian

  Published on June 23rd, 2018

  Poor Pita! She could still be having a reaction to the fleas previously seen. I would try giving her Benadryl twice a day (see link below) and see if this helps. I would also put a cone collar on her to prevent her from chewing that area. Also, if you haven't already, I would also treat your house and yard for fleas because the fleas don't live on the pet but in the environment. Also, even though you gave trifexis, fleas don't die until they bite her so she could still be having new bites causing more reactions. I would continue the trifexis every 30 days. You can do a different flea preventative like frontline 2 weeks after the trifexis if needed. If her skin isn't improving, I would have your vet take a look at her. Your vet will be able to get her started on antibiotics if needed and stronger allergy meds. I hope this helps! https://www.petcoach.co/canigive/dog/benadryl/#

  

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  Answered By Angel Alvarado, LVT

  Licensed Veterinary Technician

  Published on December 28th, 2018

  If topical or oral treatments have not been successful, discuss options with your veterinarian. He or she may stock different products. Choose one and use it for at least 3 consecutive months. Once the dog is treated, treat the environment. It takes this long to disrupt the flea life cycle. A majority of the flea population lives off of the pet. They only jump on to take a meal then jump off. You should vacuum everywhere and dispose of the bag or empty the canister outdoors immediately after. Wash all bedding in the hottest water allowable by fabric and dry in the dryer. Use an area treatment, such as Indorex or Knockout ES, to prevent reinfestation. In sensitive dogs, just one flea bite can set off an allergic reaction. Discuss antihistamine use with your veterinarian. Trixie may need a short acting steroid to provide relief. Use an e-collar (cone) to prevent excessive licking or chewing.

  

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