Flea bites?

[Laylee]

Hello, 2 months ago my 7yr old boxer got fleas for the first time. He’s also my first dog so I’ve not experienced fleas before. I got him treated but the vet said it can take a few months before he stops getting bitten and things clear up altogether so he might still itch. I treat my home regularly (hoover, mop, flea household spray. Recently he’s had bald patches on his legs (elbow and heel bone areas) and paws that he itches and they go red and bleed before healing up and then another one appears somewhere else. I just wondered if this was flea related even though when I first noticed he had fleas there was none of these? I’ve been to the vets loads in the past few months for various things (arthritis, ear infection, fleas plus check ups) so wanted to ask experienced boxer owners here first before I see the vets again. I’ve looked up what it could be and the closest thing after flea bites could be mange. But he doesn’t have it anywhere else on him.
Thanks for any advice offered.

 

[garvinsmum]

Possibly flea bite allergy or other allergy. Dogs with flea bite allergy really suffer badly. They chew and lick at the spots til they bleed and sometimes get infected. Although it could also be a grass allergy as it is around the feet area or even food allergy. Flea allergy dermatitis tends to affect the areas where the fleas congregate like the tail base, belly etc more so than the feet. Certainly looks like an allergy of some kind.
I just reread and he's 7 yrs not 7 months so is less common for an allergy to come on at this age, but still possible. Be interesting to see what others think.

 

[Laylee]

Thank you for your help. Yes he doesn’t have it on the base of his tail like photos I’ve seen online of flea allergies. I’ve phoned the vets and have an appointment on Monday so will update here when I’ve seen them.

 

[rrboxer]

I don't have experience with that but it is good you are on it and going to your vet. Hope everything clears up soon.

 

[Jan]

Poor baby. It does look like he is allergic to something. Do you still have fleas or have you managed to get rid of them. Brush him on a white sheet and see if there are any flea dirts. They will turn red when wet. You may have to put a collar on him to prevent him chewing on himself. You can get those blow up ones that go around his neck. They are much more comfortable than the cones.
Good luck at the vet.

 

[Laylee]

Ah thanks Jan, I’d never heard of the inflatable collars so I’ll get one of those this weekend.

I’ve been combing him but can’t see any fleas or flea dirt. I’m hoping I’ve got rid of them but last time I phoned the vet they said it’ll be months before they’re all gone from the house.

Thank you, I’ll let you know how it goes!

 

[Jan]

You could try using Borax in your house, especially if you have carpets. Just brush it in and then vacuum it up a couple of hours late. If you have wood floors, just put it around the edges and anywhere that Fleas might hide. Keep your boxer out of the room while treating the floors. The borax will desiccate the fleas and the eggs. and they will die. I had a fleas infestation once and it really worked. Good luck!

 

[Laylee]

Thanks for the tip about Borax!

The vet reckons it could be an allergy and could be related to his ear infection. So she’s said I could put him under so they can examine inside his ears, clean them out, provide some medication to relieve it and also take swabs and send them off for testing. She wasn’t sure if it was a flea bite allergy or not so hopefully the tests will shed some light on it. In the meantime I’ll be stricter with food and do an elimination diet.

Thanks so much for all the help and advice here. It’s been great to hear others opinions before seeing the vet. I felt a bit more prepared going in!

If the thread doesn’t close I’ll update again once he’s had the op. Just so anyone with a similar issue who might read this in future might find it useful!

 

[Jan]

Good luck at the vets. I hope he is feeling better soon!

 

[Laylee]

Thank you, me too!