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My dog had fleas, now gone, but still itching. What's wrong?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Medium (23 - 60lb) | Male | neutered | 1 year and 1 month old | 35 lbs

I adopted a dog this past weekend from a shelter and noticed he had fleas! I brought him in the house and immediately brought him into the bath. I also gave him Capstar. By the next day I only saw some dead fleas and used flea comb and nothing was there. Cleaned the whole house just in case. There have been not one trace of fleas now at all. But... he is still biting at his hind legs sometimes and itching his neck. I for sure see no fleas. What could be the issue?

4 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Dr. Leigh, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on March 1st, 2017

If he has a flea allergy than it will probably take a little bit of time for the itching to resolve. You could ask your vet for an anti-histamine or a corticosteroid to help relieve the itching. Make sure to use a monthly flea prevention, like NexGard, Frontline, Advantage, etc every month to prevent him from getting fleas again.

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Other Answers

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    Answered By Dr. Leigh, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on December 19th, 2016

    She may have a flea allergy and may still be reacting even though you don't see any fleas. Have her examined by a vet to determine the cause. She may need an anti-histamine or corticosteroid to help relieve her itching and make her more comfortable.

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    Answered By David Darvishian

    Veterinarian

    Published on August 15th, 2017

    Hi and thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Sorry to hear that Kegsi is having problems. I always assume fleas in a case like this and if no fleas are noted, this could be a flea allergy to the saliva of the flea when it bites. Other causes would be other external parasites (ticks, mites, other), bacterial infections either primary or secondary, allergies to inhaled allergens, flea bites, or food problems, internal organ dysfunction, or hormone/endocrine problems. I would advise that if the itching intensifies or doesn't decrease, please take her to your veterinarian and let them take a good history and evaluate her physically. They will then either advise some testing (skin tests, blood tests, etc) or some treatment options. Good luck with Kegsi.

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    Answered By David Elbeze, DVM, MRCVS

    Veterinarian

    Published on March 26th, 2019

    If she is still scratching more than a week after the flea treatment, it's probably not the fleas that are causing it, it's likely to be a skin allergy. you will need to take her to your vet to get it checked, in most cases a short course of steroids will be able to calm down the itchiness.

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