Hi all its been a while since I've been on here but hello again to all. 

Hamish is now nearly 3 and had a bout of skin problems just after going to the groomers some months ago (new groomer but very highly recommended).  The vet put him on antibiotics for a month and told me to put him on James Wellbeloved and nothing else and to see how he went. Well hes been fine, hes still got a small area that if you touch it sets him off scratching but in the main hes been just fine.  He went back to the groomers last week and after 1 day his skin started up again, this time hes got a patch that is going bald.  I'm sure its not his diet, I remember when I was first looking at breeders to buy a Westie one of them told me they should never be clipped as this causes bad skin problems, does anyone else agree with this, it does seem strange that each time he has gone to this groomer problems have started, I always gave the groomer Hamish's Malasab shampoo so it can't be anything she shampooed him in.  I know he hates going to the groomers, could it be stress ??  I'm taking him to the vets this evening but would really appreciate any tips from all you experts out there X

Hi
Sorry to hear about Hamish, I don't have any experience with Westies, but if you take a look at Canine Health website you will find advice for itchy skin and bald spots on there.  It is  http://www.canine-health-concern.org.uk/
Lots of complimentary/homeopathic treatments!
To me it sounds as though he has an allergy to one of the shampoos or lotions that the groomer may have used!
Good Luck
Maria  

If she is using the shampoo you supply I can't imagine it is that. You don't actually say whether he is clipped or hand-stripped, but assuming he is clipped I would think that is the problem (rather like some men suffer from shaving rashes etc.). Whereabouts is the bald/itchy spot?

Hi Pedlee, Hamish is clipped as I have no idea in my area where they do hand stipping. The bald patch is on his back on his right side and is about the size of an egg, its not totally bald but very thin and getting worse.  Does anyone know where I can get him hand stipped in the future, I live near Ipswich in Suffolk. X

We had a toy poodle with a skin problem, but she always got worse after being groomed/clipped - her skin would go red & blotchy all over where the clippers had been. We mentioned it to the groomer, and apparently some do get a problem from the clippers and they can put a shield of some sort on them to prevent that.

I don't know how capable you are, or how much experience you have with Westie's or dogs in general, but it may be worth seeing if you could do a short course and learn how to do it yourself. I know in my area (Herts.) there is a grooming parlour that teaches you how to strip your own dog. Another place to contact would be one of the West Highland White Terrier Clubs and see if they can put you in touch with someone local that may be able to help you (google [do a search saying hand stripping dogs] or Kennel Club should be able to point you in the right direction). Or what about Hamish's breeder?

Many thanks Pedlee, I will contact Hamish's breeder and see what he says and I will also see about learning to hand strip myself.  I'm taking him to the vets tonight so will let you know how I get on.  Many thanks to all for your help and support XX

Go into your search engine and put in robert mcdowell.  You can have a free on-line consultation. Very good site and several of my friends have had great success with the treatments he gives.
Good luck.

One thought, it could actually be the oil on the clippers what's irritating him.

My Yankee sometimes suffers from clipper rash when I clip him, I generally put some Eckzma-Rid cream on any spots that look like they're getting sore. If it's only a patch that looks sore, might be worth trying? :-)

Hi, I posted a similar message a few months ago about my Westie, Jake.  Take a look at my web page for more details http://www.piczo.com/Phantom19?g=6639798&cr=5.  His doesn' get worse after being clipped but gradually over a period of a year or two it got steadily worse until he was about 40% bald with very hot itchy skin.  I tried most things suggested by the helpful people on this site and he has stabilised now on a diet of James Wellbeloved along with Omega 6 oil and Garlic & Fenugreek tablets from Dorwest Herbs.  Like I said, take a look at my web page as it lists all the things I tried, mostly with little success.

How did Hamish get on at the vets?

with Omega 6 oil

Omega 6 Should'nt omega 6's be minimized when skin conditions are present because of their "inflammatory" affects,compared to the anti-inflammatory affects of Omega 3s.

Commercial foods tend to have an overabundance of omega 6(grains) and not enough 3's.IMHO if a dog is eating a commercial food he should be supplemented with Omega 3,specifically Fish oils.

Claire what Omega 6 are you giving?