Allergic Reaction to flea bites. Poor thing (bite, vet, heartworms)
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The photo shows our neighbor's poor pooch, Dakota. Earlier in July we noticed that she was loosing blotches of hair.
The owner says it happens every year and grows back during the winter and is a reaction to flea bites. The owner's boyfriend chimed in that Dakota, however, "Doesn't have flea on her."
Last week we noticed she is bald in many spots and the rest of her hair is very thin and sparse. I feel so bad for her.
It is hard to believe that something cannot be done.
I have heard of it happening and know of at least a few dogs that are kept on flea preventatives all year round and their yard is sprayed to help prevent fleas from coming around in the first place. I hope that at the very least, they have found a veterinary allergist that is helping. A regular vet just isn't going to cut it in situations like these. Poor baby.
My vet is starting to think my dog is allergic to flea bites as well as having seasonal allergies. Mine is not near as bad as those pictures but I do have to keep him on flea meds year round, and wish my landlord would take better care of the outside of our apartments. We have a lot of cats running in the neighborhood and the city of Dallas animal control will not pick them up because they have all been spayed/nuetured. However, they are causing the flea infestation to go up really bad.
Our relationship with the owner of Dakota is casual and aloof. We run into them a couple of times a year to chat so I really did not feel it my place to question beyond what I mentioned above.
Dakota is quite a character. When I first met her about five or six years ago, she would bark continuously. She just wanted us to go over to her and say "hello". Then she quiets right down.
Our relationship with the owner of Dakota is casual and aloof. We run into them a couple of times a year to chat so I really did not feel it my place to question beyond what I mentioned above.
Dakota is quite a character. When I first met her about five or six years ago, she would bark continuously. She just wanted us to go over to her and say "hello". Then she quiets right down.
Even if they have her on year round flea meds there is still a chance a flea could bite her and cause a flare up as is the case with my dog. It's sad to think that they think this is normal for her, when I'm sure she is in distress while this hair loss is happening. It must be very painful for her to go through that every year. I can understand though where you are coming from not wanting to step on any toes if you don't have a good relationship with them.
With some flea treatments the fleas have to actually bite to get poisened and die. My vet suggests comfortis for flea allergy dermatitis; comfortis repells them. It would help if they treated their yard too. The poor dog looks like he would benefit from a soothing bath. I wonder if there are treats you can give her (through the fence) that would be good for her skin?
Yea a soothing bath, or Alaska. I'll remember to throw the Comfortis out there the next time we're outside at the same time.
Some dogs are the picture of health throughout their lives. So lucky. Others, not so.
Thanks.
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