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My dog is itching with red skin and flea dirt, but no fleas?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Shihpoo | Male | neutered | 6 years and 6 months old | 22 lbs

Itching a lot and can’t sit still at all. Odd reddish skin and maybe flea dirt but I don’t see fleas. I bathed him in aveeno and then again with dawn dish soap, gave him a Benadryl. It didn’t help much! He wears a flea/tick collar. ??!!

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1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

Veterinarian

Published on April 2nd, 2020

If you see flea dirt, Murray has fleas. I can give you a flea treatment program for him. First, I would give him 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 his 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.

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