Someone I work with has a westie who has as she describes "itchy skin". She does not have fleas. She has taken her to the vet who prescribed a shampoo that has to be left on for 10 mins before being rinsed off and although she says it has eased it, it hasn't cured it. She feeds her dog on Burns and nature diet, could either of these be responsible for causing this problem?
jane

She feeds her dog on Burns and nature diet, could either of these be responsible for causing this problem?

If the dog has an allergy to chicken,for example, and both of these foods have chicken in it then the dog will itch.

She needs to take her dog in for one of those infamous allergy tests which are often not 100% accurate and the dog is usually allergic to more than one thing,but if a protein source she is feeding comes up,then ommitting that will be a good start.

Has the dog been tested for mites via a skin scrape at all?
Theres a whole host of reasons for itchy skin from food intolerance, contact allergies, pollen and grass allergies, house/dust mites,demodex amongst others- it can be a long time to diagnose the root cause at times?

When the vet prescribed the shampoo didn't he tell her what it could be?

It sounds like it's Malaseb.  I use that for one of mine who has sensitivities and it does help.

I have never tried this company but they do hair tests for allergies, it's not cheap but in the long run if you can keep your dog off steroids & anti-biotics it may be worth it?  I saved the link from another site.
[url=]http://www.crossgatesfarm.co.uk [/url]