Our lovely Westie girl will be 10 in June. She is rescue and we have had her for about 3 years. She has always had good health apart from a virus 2 years ago that both our Westies have (the other died was put to sleep age 16).

Anyway, she has suddenly developed a problem with her skin. I can't believe we went all this time with nothing and now her skin is bad? She had bad skin on her back that was a bit pink/greasy and itchy/flaky. She was rubbing herself on a bush outside a lot, so we weren't sure whether that was the cause, or whether she was using it to scratch herself. It is possible a cat could be spraying onto it, which may aggrevate her? Anyway, she went to vets, had an injection, some piriton and then was fine. That was September 2010. Now, in the last 2/3 weeks her skin is itchy again, but this time worse. She has lost hair and has these patches of red sore skin. Again, back to vets, a steroid injection and that was it. Seemed to be ok for a day or two, but now it's probably worse. I put some Dermacton cream on the pink areas and that seemed to help them a little (ie no longer bright pink and just a bit dandruff-like now). I came home from work today and she has a massive sore patch on her side, and as I sit typing this, I can see she is just dying to scratch herself, but I keep stopping her. She was bathed on Monday, and last Weds. I am loathe to bathe her too often (normally every 3+ weeks depending how muddy/messy she has been). In case it is allergies, we have put her on Piriton since the weekend, but obviously it's a bit soon to know if that is helping.

I just can't see why she has developed this problem all of a sudden? We moved in August and I wonder whether there is something here she is allergic to?

I / vet didn't think it was ticks or fleas? However the vet is pretty rubbish and only seems to want to sell us things so we are going to change to elsewhere (they charge £27 for Malaseb which is extortionate!).

Any advice etc welcome. I can provide pics too if necessary. My poor girlie, I feel so sorry for her, especially as she is twitching away by me where she is itchy and I wont let her scratch :(

Might be worth trying some Neem shampoo, relieves itching and is kind to the skin:http://www.neemgenie.co.uk/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=HA02&Category_Code=007&Product_Count=1  I use it on my dogs all the time works well for the one with skin problems and for the one without problem skin :)  It also smells good and keeps their coat shiny and healthy.
I'd be careful about using strong shampoo or medications.

Check her food for additives and or cereals, allergy's like diabeties literally developes very quickly at any age, similarly with intolerances.

look at the new envirament. have the carpets been scotchguarded prehapse? some dogs react to that badly-may be worth either lifting a carpet or excluding her from a carpeted area for a few months and seeing if it makes a difference. likewise condsider furnature-if you have a new soft and she is allowed on it consider banning her in case it has been treated.
good luck

look at the new envirament. have the carpets been scotchguarded prehapse? some dogs react to that badly-may be worth either lifting a carpet or excluding her from a carpeted area for a few months and seeing if it makes a difference. likewise condsider furnature-if you have a new soft and she is allowed on it consider banning her in case it has been treated.
good luck