[youthovercrime]

I have a miniature yorkie that is almost a year old, she gets washed about once a month. She eats iams proactive health for small dogs (hard food) and cesars (soft food). I know she has slight fleas as most dogs do. I've tried the drip, powders, and a spray that pretty much made the fleas vanish but she continues to itch and naw. Her skin seems a little dry. And at this point she has sores nawed/scratched in her skin. What could be going wrong? What should I do first?

[Kmc7491]

Hi :) I have worked in a pet store for about three years and I have had a dog of my own for 12. I would first recommend getting a flea treatment; frontline plus or advantix are good brands. They will repel and kill fleas, ticks, flies, mosquitos, etc. and also stop the flea life cycle, including eggs and larva. Basically, these products wipe out the existing problem and prevent further problems. They can be purchased at your vet or at a pet supply store. Also, Iams and Caesars foods have a lot of corn, by-products, and chicken in them. Corn is indigestible for dogs, and also causes many food allergies. Chicken is also a very common allergy causer. Many people are surprised that these two ingredients can cause problems, and that food allergies often exhibit symptoms in the skin and coat! Try a high-quality food that has an animal protein such as lamb or fish as the first ingredient, and doesn't have corn or any sort of poultry by-product. I promise, you will be pleasantly surprised at the results!! Best of luck to you and your yorkie. Xoxo

[joypulv]

I agree - better flea control. The only ones that work are Frontline or Advantix as stated.
I even bought a Frontline that was slightly cheaper (topcare?) and it didn't work.
Yes, the dog will gnaw and chew his skin raw when he has fleas.
There is no reason for dogs to have fleas.

[Lucky098]

I would say she has flea dermatitis. In other words.. she is allergic to the fleas that were biting her.

Try giving her benedryl. If she has improved, than she is allergic to fleas that were on her. If it doesn't improve, you need to go to the vet to pull out the big guns to help fight her pruitis... which would be steroids.

The dosage for benedryl is 1mg per 1lb of body weight. Benedryl comes in 25mg tabs.. so you will more than likely have to split the pills. If you feel uncomfortable with this, contact your vet and they can give you advise on how much to give or give you something more exact that they would prescribe to you.

No dog should have to live with fleas.. long haired or not. Frontline plus is a good way to help get rid of the fleas. If you have a heavy flea infestations, the Frontline will help kill the cycle... and it typically gets worse before it gets better.

Get an at home flea fogger. It will help kill the larvae living in your home. The cycle of the flea is.. they hatch on the dog, grow up on the dogs bedding, than live their adult life on the dog again. So like I said.. it'll get worse before it gets better.

And because you have fleas.. and good de-worming will help you out. Fleas carry eggs for tapeworms. And your dog, while grooming, will ingest fleas... So your dog more than likely has tapeworms.

You can purchase frontline at pet stores.. however you have to get the de-wormer through a vet.. So to save you a trip, I would just say get the de-wormer and frontline both from your vet.