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Why is my dog losing hair after flea treatment? Is it the medicine?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Pit Bull Terrier | Male | neutered | 2 years and 7 months old

We're struggling to get rid fleas he picked up at a clinic. Our dog is losing his hair. We don't know if the flea treatment medicine caused this.

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Andrea M. Brodie, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on August 7th, 2018

Flea infestation and scratching because of it can cause the hair to fall out. However, mite infection (mange can also cause hairloss and vigorous scratching. I suggest you take Spade to a veterinarian to determine whether Spade has mange mites. Treatment for those is easy: Bravecto will kill them as well as fleas and ticks and will last a few months. Your vet may recommend another medication. Please make an appointment with your veterinarian. Apart from that here is the recipe for getting rid of fleas: Unfortunately fleas only hop on the body of your pet when they want to feed, then they hop off again and stay in your pet's environment. So you need to treat all pets in the household as well as the environment (which contains the fleas, their eggs and larvae). Flea treatment:  1) Get some flea medication such as a Flea spray or a spot on or chew from a pet shop or your veterinarian and apply monthly 2) get flea powder, put some in your vacuum cleaner bag and vacuum your house and furniture and also non-carpeted areas frequently to remove flea larvae and eggs which live off house dust., Dispose of the bag in the trash outside. Hot-wash all the pet's bedding, If you do this diligently for a few months you will get rid of the fleas.

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