My 15 week cavvie, Ben has scabby areas on his back, which look like the cradle cap some babies get. He's a bit itchy, and when I groom him bits come off (which doesn't hurt). Any ideas what this is, is it serious, and should I bother the vet with it?
Should add that it's only tiny bits here and there accross his back.
Thanks

Think it may be fleas, try a spray with frontline and think the scabes go in a couple of weeks.

Toby had this at 8weeks when i took him for his health check, the vet found it was mites, we had to treat him with frontline and treat the whole house because apparently people can get them too, i would take him to the vets,
Heidi

I've checked and checked for fleas - I can't see any sign of them. I have made an appointment for him for tomorrow evening, and see what the vet says. Is it ok to treat for fleas if it's actually something else (eg mites)? I think I'll wait until after tomorrow before doing anything other than groom him, thankyou both for your help.

I also have another pup, 2 weeks older. He has no symptoms at all - no scabs, no itch. Don't know if this means anything, but they will both be coming to the vets anyway (last time I took just Ben for his 2nd jabs, Bill cried at home for half an hour and Ben cried all the way to the vets, at the vets and back home! It was pityfull!!)

Thanks again.

A good way to check for fleas is to stand him on a piece of white damp paper and brush and or comb him with a fine toothed comb.  The dirt bits that come out will turn red when on the damp paper if he has fleas.  Not sure if this works with mites though, so it is worth spraying him anyway.

Don't think it works as well with mites, if it is the area at the tail end of the back that is often where fleas bother a dog, but of course that is also where he can nibble.