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Why is my dog still scratching and biting after flea treatment?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Medium (23 - 60lb) | Female | spayed | 4 years and 9 months old | 35 lbs

My dog keeps scratching and biting, I have treated her for fleas but continues to scratch n bite. 1st pic is her belly n by her back legs, 2nd pic is her tail, 3rd pic are what both her sides are starting to look like from scraching so hard

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3 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Dr. B. DVM, DACVIM (Oncology)

Veterinarian

Published on September 24th, 2018

Looks like your little lady is giving herself some hot spots there. If there is a hot spot forming under the hair then the best thing to do is to remove the hair and cleanse the area with an antibacterial solution. Some dogs require topical and/or oral antibiotics and other dogs benefit from some steroids to stop the itch. Most hot spots are secondary to underlying allergies (inhaled/environmental, food, or flea). If seasonal environmental is most likely. The best way to help her would be to see your family vet to have the areas addressed topically and so that medications can be prescribed to treat any infection and stop the itch. I hope this helps and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

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    Answered By Dr. Macartney, BVet Med, MRCVS

    Veterinarian

    Published on August 3rd, 2017

    I am very sorry to hear that Vicki is having skin issues. From what you are describing it sounds as though she is reacting to the flea bites, this is making her skin itchy. When dogs are itchy they often bite their skin and cause tissue trauma and infection. This can cause moist dermatitis or "hot spots". Hot spots can be very difficult to heal, and take a long time. The keys to a successful healing process are; Treatment if he underlying cause- the fleas A clipped area around the sore Cleaning the sore with a vet prescribed antiseptic Leaving the sore open to dry out (as the moisture promotes bacterial growth) Antibacterial/ hydrocortisone spray prescribed from the vet for healing An e-collar to prevent Vicki from scratching or biting at the hot spot and making it worse Measure the hot spot with a ruler, and compare in a few days time to make sure that it is reducing in size. If you feel like Vicki is not healing well, I would suggest a trip to the vet for the above medications. Oral antibiotics and/ or a steroid injection may help to jumpstart the healing process. I know hot spots can be very frustrating for you as a pet parent and for Vicki. I sincerely hope it starts to heal soon. Warmest regards to you both.

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    Answered By Dr. Macartney, BVet Med, MRCVS

    Veterinarian

    Published on August 11th, 2017

    I am so sorry to hear that Tasha is having trouble with her skin. It is difficult to know ahh the initial lesion was, parasites, fleas or even a skin allergy. However, when a dog has irritated skin they often react by chewing or licking their skin. This causes tissue trauma and can introduce infection. This leads to moist dermatitis or "hot spot". Hot spots can be very difficult to heal, and take a long time. The keys to a successful healing process are; Treating the underlying cause -for example fleas A clipped area around the sore Cleaning the sore with a vet prescribed antiseptic Leaving the sore open to dry out (as the moisture promotes bacterial growth) Antibacterial/ hydrocortisone spray prescribed from the vet for healing An e-collar to prevent Tasha from scratching or biting at the hot spot and making it worse Measure the hot spot with a ruler, and compare in a few days time to make sure that it is reducing in size. If you feel like Tasha is not healing well, I would suggest a trip to the vet for the above mentioned medications, or call and discuss the possibility for a prescription. Oral antibiotics and/ or a steroid injection may help to jumpstart the healing process. I know hot spots can be very frustrating for you as a pet parent and for Tasha. I sincerely hope it starts to heal soon. Warmest regards to you both.

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