Provided a thorough approach to flea treatment using appropriate products has been undertaken then if your pet continues to scratch there are likely to be other factors contributing. These may include allergies or intolerances to food substances, cleaning products and or an underlying medical condition.
Even if you've already treated the flea infestation, chances are that your poor pup will continue to itch until the inflammation disappears and the skin heals, says Dr. Jennifer Kitchen, DVM, from VCA Animal Hospitals.
Signs Flea and Tick Medication Is Working on Your Dog. After administering flea and tick medication to your dog, expect to see at least some dead fleas within 24 hours of treatment. However, it will probably take a few days for the itching to decrease.
According to PetCoach, studies have shown that up to 40% of dogs may test positive for flea bite allergies. However, if your dog is still scratching and there are no signs of fleas, consider your dog may be suffering from some other type of allergy.
After the fleas are eradicated, you still need to treat the skin irritation caused by the allergic dermatitis. In mild cases, you can treat your dog with Benadryl at home to stop the allergic reaction and provide relief from the itch.
Provided a thorough approach to flea treatment using appropriate products has been undertaken then if your pet continues to scratch there are likely to be other factors contributing. These may include allergies or intolerances to food substances, cleaning products and or an underlying medical condition.
Getting rid of the irritant causing FAD — the fleas — is the first step in treating it. Moderate to severe infestations may take several months to get under control. The cure won't come overnight. It takes up to two weeks for itching to resolve once you banish the fleas.
You can reapply flea treatment after 2 weeks, but it's not necessary. Fleas are a common problem for dogs and cats, and there are many treatments available to help you protect your pet from these pesky parasites.
95% are in the environment as flea eggs, larvae and pupae.
Seeing fleas after treatment isn't really about how long it takes for flea treatment to work or for fleas to die. It's about the number of life stages in the pet's environment that develop into new fleas and jump on a pet.
The itch of flea bites may linger up to two weeks.
The active ingredient in FRONTLINE (fipronil) kills fleas by affecting their nervous system, making them hyperactive before dying. These dying fleas often rise to the top of your pet's haircoat, so the presence of visible fleas after treating your pet, is a sign that the product is working.
Treated fleas become more active before they die – making them more visible.
The Wait Appropriate Time Method
For most topical flea treatments, including spot treatments, baths, powders, sprays, and dips, wait at least 48 hours before regular bathing to allow the treatment to start working and absorb into the skin.
Among the most common causes for compulsive dog licking, chewing, or scratching behaviors are fleas, ticks, and mites. Although ticks are often visible to the naked eye, fleas often go unseen until there is a large infestation, and mites are microscopic.
Signs of flea control product toxicity can occur from one to 12 hours after application and may vary depending on the type of flea control product poisoning. The most common signs of toxicity from pyrethrum-based flea products are muscle tremors and excessive salivation.
Clinical signs include: A tingling sensation; dogs will excessively itch or scratch that spot on their skin. Scratching, intense itchiness. Agitation or restlessness.
Speak to your veterinarian about this first if your flea medicine is not working. One Frontline alternative is to switch to another topical product. Another alternative is to supplement the topical product with another product that works internally, such as Capstar.
You shouldn't need to use flea shampoo unless your dog has an active flea infestation. But if that's the case, you can wash your dog 1-2 times a week, but not long term.
You're Applying the Flea Treatment Incorrectly
Incorrectly applying topical flea prevention is the most common cause for why it's not working.
As eggs hatch and develop, you might find fleas reappearing 10-14 days after treatment - this is quite normal and provided the insecticide remains in place it will kill them. This is why it is important not to carry out cleaning which might remove insecticide.
Just like dogs, you should only treat your cat with topical flea medicine once every 30 days. As with dogs, your cat should be completely dry before treatment. If you give them a flea bath prior, make sure you wait at least 48 hours before applying treatment.
Never use multiple flea medications on your pet, unless directed to do so by your veterinarian. Fleas can be a very frustrating problem, and some medications may not produce immediate effects.
If your cat has flea allergy dermatitis, their skin will appear red (erythema), be mildly to severely itchy (pruritus), and may have crusts or small bumps (papules). Most pet parents notice their cat scratching frequently and excessively grooming.
Itching and hair loss in the region from the middle of the back to the tail base and down the rear legs (the flea triangle) is often associated with FAD. Intradermal allergy tests (skin tests like those performed in humans), or specialized blood tests (IgE blood tests), can confirm flea allergy in your dog.