First of all can I say hello to everyone I have just joined as I am at my wits end, Please can anyone help,
I have a Westie (Boycey) he is a rescue and he is 8 years old we have had him 2 years and till about 4 months ago all was fine, but he has got very sensitive on his back and sides if you touch him his back legs go down and he has got some flaky skin, he has been to the vets about 4 times and they have took a scrapping of the flaky skin incase he had mites but he has not he has also had a blood test but nothing wrong there, they have give me some sensitive shampoo to bath him in once a week , but he has know started pulling his fur out on his back legs near his thighs We feed him on a mix of dry and wet, wet food cesar, dry food is fish and rice James well-beloved we also give him a little salmon oil and a garlic tablet once a day, any one got any ideas or has the same problem, he is a very nervous dog but very loving he not keen on going out but we do take him out with us as we do not like leaving him alone, one more thing about the same time he did have a bad infestation of fleas which we have got rid off with the vets help he is on frontline now and we have treated the whole house
Thanks
              Peter b

Hi and welcome.
I have had a dog suffer for ages with allergy after having fleas. She was very allergic to them and even when the fleas had gone she had to have a sensitive shampoo until eventually the scratching stopped and she began to feel more comfortable with herself.
There are far more knowledgeable people on here than me, so I am sure you will get some good advice re the skin and the diet.
I hope dear Boycey feels better soon.
Sue

ps, as an afterthought I know that things like 'shake n vac' can cause terrible skin irritation, can I assume that all of these things have been discounted?

the trouble with fleas is that dogs scratch because they itch-and then the scratch becomes itchy too.its a nasty repeating cycle even after origonal fleas have gone.
you need to go back to the vets and ask for a referal if they can offer you no new treatment.  there must be some skin calming therepy they can offer.

Will be interested on the outcome of this my dog has been tickly on his back for the last two years I have tried everything as you have , skin scrape,flea treatment,shampoo,change of food 3 times, hydrotherapy,physiotherapy,antihistamines the vet thinks it is neurological, people think it is just funny or just me!!! the vet did suggest he could have a course of AB but as they don't know what it is I can't really see the point! But I must say he has been having Cider Vinegar in his food daily and he is now the best he has been in all this time and it doesn't seem to bother him so much only if somebody touches his back.