Why is my Dog Still Itchy After I Applied Frontline?
My dog is in great distress either from fleas or allergies or both or something else. She is constantly biting at herself. What should I do ASAP?
Background: I rescued this female two-year-old Jindo from a shelter 3 days ago. It appears as tho she had recently given birth. She was spayed at the shelter before she was released. I was told I have to wait 10 days before having her bathed. I gave her Frontline. The itching and biting herself has not subsided. I was told at Petco that the Frontline should work in a day or two and that I shouldn’t use anything else yet or it can be dangerous to give her too much.
I was also told her itching can be an allergy to something and that I should put flaxseed oil in her food. I did. I am feeding her fresh cooked chicken with brown rice and Dick Patten’s Natural Balance Allergy Formula. Help please!
Grace
Alhambra, California
I would wager that your dog is suffering from allergies to fleas.
Dogs with allergies usually suffer from skin and ear problems. Itching is the most common complaint.
Dogs can be allergic to thousands or perhaps millions of insects, pollens, food proteins, chemicals, and mammals (including cats and humans). But one thing is nearly certain: if your dog has allergies, she is allergic to fleas.
Flea saliva is phenomenally allergenic to cats and dogs (and some humans). This gives rise to a common paradox. Animals with flea allergies rarely “have” fleas.
The last time I visited Yosemite National Park, I suffered numerous mosquito bites. One day was particularly bad. I hiked in the Grand Canyon of the Tuolomne to a place that I will forever call the Mosquito Forest. I applied bug spray nearly constantly, but the six-legged parasites could not be held at bay. After about 15 minutes I retreated uphill towards my campsite.
I suffered about a dozen mosquito bites during my foray into the Mosquito Forest. I am allergic to mosquito saliva. That night, in my mosquito-free tent, I was miserably itchy. I was itchy the next day during my hike out of the wilderness. And the next day at work. And the next day, and the next day, and . . .
Dogs that suffer from flea allergies show similar symptoms. A week after my trek to the Mosquito Forest, there were no insects in sight. But I was still miserably itchy. A week after Frontline has eliminated the fleas on your dog, she too may be miserably itchy.
You have two choices in this sort of situation. If your dog’s condition is tolerable, you and she can wait it out (that’s what I did, and I’m fine now). If your dog is in severe distress, you can look into getting a cortisone shot or prescription.
Cortisone (a steroid, also known as prednisone) almost certainly will relieve the itching. But it is a strong medicine with many potential side effects. Consider the risks and the benefits carefully before giving her steroids. If she truly is miserable, the benefits probably outweigh the risks.
Photo: the Tuolomne River rolls into the Mosquito Forest at the base of Waterwheel Falls.
You have questions. 
Our rescue mutt was also itchy when we got her a little over a year ago. In addition to flea treatment, we took her to the vet who gave her a cortisone shot and prescribed nightly benadryl. She’s still allergic to something, when we took her off the benadryl last winter her all-night ear-scratching and head-shaking started up again, but her overall itchiness has been mostly cured. We don’t give her allergy-formula foods, but she does get salmon oil daily.
Hi,
This happened to my dog too. You need to make sure your dog has no ticks/fleas, go to your veterinary its the best thing to do. Let us know what happens,
Best,
Austin
Los Angeles Computer Repair
I think it is a mistake to assume the dog is free of fleas. Some resistance to Frontline has been seen in our area. Check the dog daily for fleas, and treat the environment and yard. The cortisone and bendryl worked for my dog, but I also had to add oral flea medication (Capstar) to eliminate the fleas entirely. Definitely take the dog to the vet for a shot. It really makes a difference in cutting down on their misery. Good luck.
I went to Yosemite a few years back, one of the most beautiful places I ever went to, was pretty lucky that there weren’t too many mosquitoes when we went! :-)
Grace – you can also try adding salmon oil t your dog’s food. If the biting persists, bring your dog back to the vet.
Best of luck,
David
My dog is pitbull/american bulldog. She’s mostly white in color, she is allergic to dairy. The vet couldn’t find what caused her breakouts so I recorded everything I feed her and watched carefully for any hives and sores appearing. When she did breakout, I gave her 1 benadryl tablet and she cleared right up. Frontline broke her out in hives too. I found an organic all natural flea/tick prevention. It’s called CEDAR OIL go to http://www.pestigator.com people can spray themselves to keep mosquitos away.
Grace,
To many chef’s in the kettle will confuse you.
First Petco is not a valid place for advice.
If you have time to read, please get the books by Shawn Messonnier, D.V.M. He has a series called ” The Natural Vet Series”. I have all. The Allergy Solution for Dogs book is a great way to educate yourself and familiarize yourself with the issues you are having. It has helped me understand all the many different issues with allergies. It is premature to get any kind of diagnose here. I know things are tuff, I have a 12mo old Papillon who has severe allergies, food, environmental, mold, yeast, ect.. I have seen 5 vets, had a full blood panel ( I’m unemployed and I will not stop till I can make her comfortable) I have been researching, reading for the past 10 months and I will tell you that these books are excellent. She has all her hair and her skin is perfect my vet said. Their is information in these books that could save your dogs life! Especially when it come to giving meds to your pets.
- Atopic allergies are the most common casue of itchiness in dogs, there can be other causes.
- Atopic dermatits is genetic.
- The most common signs of allergies in a dog is scratching often followed by secondary skin infections.
- Less common non-skin signs of atopic allergies include ear infections, runny nose, wheezing, vomiting, and diarrhea.
–Before beginning any treatment for your pet, please be sure to receive a proper diagnosis.
I mean this could be mange, fleabite hypersensitivity. If you see lesions mostly confined to the lower back, back and inner aspects of the thighs, abdomen and flank areas, suspect fleabite hypersensitivity.
A holistic combination with short-term use of of the safer of the conventional therapies and long-term maintenance therapies is the perfect flea control program.
These are a few paragraphs from his book.
The info tells you how to eliminate the use od steroids and antihistamines. Benefits of herbal therapy, which I use. Diet and nutrition tips, benefits of nutritional supplements and antioxidants and fatty acids. I have switched to Holistic alternative ways. I do not like conventional practice anymore. This is my choice. I now feed her raw tripe, she loves it and it has reduced her itching 60%. Pills, shots, its only a temporary solution and in the long run can kill your pet. Please read those books! (I got so caught up in saving my pet that I’m now in school for animal nutrition)
It could be a combination of things, food, household cleaners, ect..You wont know until you get some tests. Shop around for them. I’ve put a ton of time into helping my poor Pup. Also, check out http://www.greenpaws.org/. Watch those topical flea meds….You have to research if you can, and for the sake of your pets!
Flax oil isn’t the best of oils. Mine is allergic to it. Primrose, Borage oilis tare he best and with easy digestion.
Good luck