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Why is my dog biting her tail and itching despite flea treatment?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed | Female | spayed | 49 lbs

My dog has lost tail on her fur and she has been biting her tail as well but we have bathed her so many times with flea shampoo and she has a flea collar and we bug bombed the house and we dipped her in flea dip and sprayed the yard with flea spray so we do not know whats going on and why she is still itching, she has recently just gone into her first heat as well.

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

Veterinarian

Published on February 8th, 2017

Poor Cali is having a rough time lately! In my experience, flea shampoos, collars, and dips do not work to prevent fleas, nor do they kill them very well. I can give you a flea treatment program that can help with fleas. You did the right thing, however, by bug bombing the house and flea spraying the yard. As for treating the fleas, first I would give Cali 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. Other causes of the itching of her tail include mites, ringworm, or allergies. You can take Cali into the vet to rule out these causes of her biting her tail. 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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    Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

    Veterinarian

    Published on May 11th, 2017

    I'm sorry Dot has been so itchy lately! I can tell you that flea and tick shampoos do not provide lasting protection, so if she isn't on a consistent flea treatment program, that could be the cause of her scratching. I can give you a flea treatment program for her. First, I would give her 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 her 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. Now if you have used a spot on treatment for Dot, then this itching could be caused by allergies (including a flea allergy), mites, or ringworm. In this case, I would have her seen by a vet today or 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. If you can't get Dot into a vet today, then you can give her an oatmeal bath which will temporarily help her with her itching. I hope this helps!

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