has anyone heard or know anything about cutaneous asthenia I have been told one of my westies may have it and have been advised to have a biopsy I was also told it was rare, my reply was I have another one exactly the same at home which makes me once again doubtful of the diagnoses, any thoughts please.

Sorry, I can't find any reference to it at all, so no help. I'm guessing it's something to do with the skin?

http://www.upei.ca/~cidd/Diseases/dermatology/cutaneous%20asthenia.htm

Pam

What is cutaneous asthenia? Is it a skin problem?

Hi Rugrott

Have a look at the link Pam has left. It gives a good explaination of the condition ! :)

Lucy

Thanks for that suggestion. I have a friend who had a similar problem with their westie and spent £100's of pounds at the vets and university without success. He then spoke to Neil at Natural Choice who suggested a change of diet and the dog is a differnt dog. Excellent coat and skin and in the full of health. I could believe it was the same dog - just a thought!

we have changed our westies diet to Burns the male is on antibiotics now but I am against a biopsy his skin is very red all over and he scratches like crazy I hate to see him like this as I said the female has had this for 5 years and although she still has it it does not seem to be as bad maybe its something that burns itself out with time, I dont know whether to change vets again, after 5yrs we still are no further on than the first day we took our female to the vets I feel useless not being able to find the problem or solution for them, I take it natural choice is preparing food for the dogs?

My friend spoke to Neil garrod at Natural Choice who are based in Taunton Somerset (you can get their number from directory enquiries) it might be worth a go. He had a similar problem with his westie, had spent years trying to clear the skin problem up but after speaking to Neil and changing the dogs diet to a natural diet he was amazed with the results.

thanks for the info may give them a call he spent most of the night scratching and looks awful

Oof, I've never heard of this and having read the link, you have my sympathies, or your dogs do!! :D

If you don't fancy going the whole hog with a BARF diet, Naturediet may be the next best thing. PetsAtHome sell it, for about 50p per tray, or see the website www.naturediet.co.uk

I'm guessing that some kind of fish oil supplement might help but I'd ask your vet about that to be sure.