Originally Posted by
Jessika
As previously mentioned, one bite can cause it to flare up. All it takes is one bite. So if there are still fleas in the environment, and/or there is still exposure to fleas (from the cats?), there is a good chance that, eventhough you're using preventative and there are no live fleas on your pets, that a flea from the environment is jumping on the dog, biting, then dying/jumping off because of the preventative.
It will take a few months to completely clear the environment from a flea infestation due to the life cycle of the flea, and the fact that the pupae can lie dormant for months. That's why vigorous vacuuming and bathing of bedding is instrumental for getting rid of infestations. In the meantime, more eggs are hatching, and they're looking for a host until they jump on your dog, bite it, causing allergies, and hopefully dying before laying eggs.
You mentioned wanting to go to your vet, but did you take them? Just curious to know what their treatment was. In our pets we will usually give a steroid injection for immediate relief... but you mentioned you didn't like the side-effects. Maybe they can give a different steroid, or a lower dose? Assuming you haven't been to the vet or they haven't already treated them.
Honestly, if they're still THIS itchy after being to the vet, I would call the vet back and say they're still miserable even after treatment, what else can you do to help relieve their symptoms?