Not sure if my dog has these, he's 3 and been itching for a long time, normally when he first starts to move around after sleeping/resting. Never itches when he's asleep and can sleep for hours.
Vet in November just gave apoquel without any skin scrapes or suggestion of mites.

I used advocate a month ago in the hope that if he did have any mites and ear mites this would work (he had yeast in ears which we've treated). by the four weeks ending and next dose due he was really itchy and skin looks pink, no breaking down of the skin except maybe one tiny scab on chest. its mainly his upper body he itches, top of head, ears, neck, chest and above shoulder area. does a bit of nobbling on back legs but this could be pain, (he's on metacam and gabapentin daily for hip and knee problems).
Gave him 2nd dose of advocate on Thursday and he just slept all evening without scratching, Friday very little scratching and yesterday he increased a bit but not excessively. He also has odd growths on his paws in between the normal pads, like extra paw pads which I have read is popodermatitis and can be cause by mites? they get saw if he walks on the them without protection and are a battle to keep damage free.

Seeing vet on Monday but and wondering if a skin scrape would be beneficial as I've read that all dogs have them so surely any dog would have them show up?? is it worth doing?

Well at least it would rule out this possibility if you do have a skin scrape done.   I'd mention it with the vet.

But if all dogs have this mite could the scrape be a pointless expense as they would be found on a healthy dog too, or have I got that wrong?

> But if all dogs have this mite could the scrape be a pointless expense as they would be found on a healthy dog too, or have I got that wrong?

Where did you get the idea that all dogs carry mites?    I'm pretty sure neither of mine do.

Yes, most dogs carry demodex mites, but only when the immune system goes on fritz, often during periods of stress, they increase in number and cause symptoms.

I've just taken a look online about demodex mites and it's generally suggested that 'many vets believe most dogs carry A FEW mites'.   Which means some dogs may not and some vets don't contribute to this idea?

As said, none of mine has suggested they have these mites - and some of them certainly have had periods when their system could have been 'challenged'.   Not the least being pregnant, whelping and rearing their litters.

Dogs with a properly functioning immune system don't have issues with these mites, much as we don't have issues with those that live in our eyelashes.

I don't think dogs get problems unless they have poor immunity, like pups often do as not built up. Older dogs that the mites get out of control is because their immune systems cannot fight the mites so they just increase in numbers.
from what I've read majority of dogs do have the dermodex mite but its under control from their own immune system working well.

vet today didnt think a skin scrape would of much benefit at this point as I'm using advocate and to apply again in a month, he was also thinking fox mange, we have the fox every night in the garden but my other dog is fine.
He's going to do a blood test to see if environmental allergy shows up and says diet unlikely. I have cut out all poultry wheat and gluten and other meats for 10 weeks, only had fish and potato which made no difference.

Its an odd itch as never wakes him up he only starts scratching once he gets up and starts moving.

Yep - if you have foxes around, it's totally possible this could be fox mange.