Sorry longwinded ..

My 7 yr old cross westie Jack, he started itchy problem started months ago, and started above tail on back, little pink rash on tummy, quite scratchy all over but back worse, and he bites at front paws on and off
Took him to vets soon as it started he was given Rilexine think there steroids ? anyway it cleared up right away, but came back few weeks later, this happened about 4 times, in the end I changed vets and took him to a large vet hospital, his still being given same med + they trying Piriton Anthistamine tablets,
But this time its not cleared up, and today he has a large raw patch on his back, and seems quite fed up ... know how he feels its getting me down now besides all its costing, would not mind if he was free of this itch,

We have and can't stop foxes going through our garden but only let him out there on lead close to house because of them, trying to keep him away from where they go etc
He has no flees, or dandruff in his coat...
What can I do ? Any advice please ... x x

Sorry you are having to go through this, been there myself The two breeds you have are the most prone to skin issues and especially as they grow older. Piriton (as simple as it is) does actually help my dog which I never thought of trying from a while which I am very thankful of now, my dogs allergy kicks of due to the pollen in the grass mainly. It also helped to look into his diet and gradually change over to a much better quality of food in case it was an allergy in his food that wasn't helping for eg chicken wasn't helping his skin nor stomach.
The spot on his back sounds like a hot spot and they aren't very nice at all he may need a course of antibiotics.
I know how the sterioids can seem like a miracle at first but as you see they don't really get to the root of the issue in the long run.
Has he had run scraps etc to try and establish anything from them?
I would try and persist at the vets and say you feel you aren't getting anywhere at the moment and he is just seeming in more discomfort.

Thanks for reply Josephine,
I changed his food yesterday to wainwrights dogs best friend, trying everything, he wont eat just dry food..
he has had antibots as well forgot those, not had any tests yet,

my husband phoned vets this am to ask advice but waiting for them to phone back,..
she saw him sat before last and said his coat looks good (dont look good today) great big raw patch
We are booked for holiday next month, but no way can I go away leaving him like this, even if the kennels took him.. am too worried about it, phew! it really is getting me down, feel so sorry for him, and all I seem to do is shout leave it, when he has ago at back, poor little thing
thanks again for reply x x

P.S thats why i changed vets as he just kept having sterioids.. yet this time even they have not worked

Can I just warn about tests for allergies, Duncan had all the tests you can name and it came back with a huge two page spread of things he is allergic to, cost well over £500. Most of the food allergies we had already worked out by taking them out of his diet and adding them back in one at a time. Only one of help to us was to find he was allergic to grass and that has meant he has been on steroids and will remain on them for the rest of his life. All could have been found out without the expensive tests !

So obviously if you can afford them have them done but don't expect a cure or even any news from them.

has he been tested for mange, because that can take forever to clear up, and can be very itchy sore and often painful for the dog.

for severe cases of mange the vets usually prescribe a wash, it stinks to high heaven but is very good for combating the mange mite.

if your vet hasnt done a scrape test for Sarcoptes (mange mite)ask for one.

this mite tunnels under the skin, and can spread very very quickly.

Thanks for that, will ask vet, heard of fox mange and wondered if foxes the start of all this, he was fine before we moved here 2 years ago, .. x x

Thanks for all that, will keep in mind x x

my cocker spaniel picked up the mite , we assumed from the foxes that visit our garden, we thought he had an ear infection so did the vet, but 6 weeks into treatment for an ear infection and he was making no progress, it just got worse he was actually whinining in pain and scratched his ear till it was bald and sore, we took him for a second opinion and he was found to have mange, another 4 weeks and he was all clear. its always worth asking your vet for the test if you think it could be mange. especially as you have foxes about.

Bet it is that ...

Thanks for help everyone x x

Can I ask for an update on this?

Seems he may have some type of eczema ? his having skin tests ..
Does not have any missing fur at the momant, it seems to come in outbrakes then calm down again ...

The last flare up the Vets decided skin tests, but thinks he will always have it? just a case of keeping it under control..

Will update results.