She has a 3 year old large breed dog (dont know if i can mention breed) he has had bad itchy skin and vomits blood quite often, vet seems to think an intolerence to something? maybe grain or ash (which is in lots of food) can anyone recommend any food without these ingredients? or has anyone any suggestions as to what it can be? she found him collapsed this morning covered in blood and vomit. Vet gave him medication but she is clueless to what is wrong with the dog

Could he have been poisoned...rat poison...slug pellets?

Dont think so as this has happened quite a few times before, she was only saying last night he has been fine for a month, he was fed on Happy Dog, but she took him off it as his skin went very itchy and bleeding, before this he was fed Arden Grange prestige, same symptoms, vomiting blood, and lots of it she says, now he is fed just butchers tripe and fresh chicken, but she says his weight has dropped drastically being fed this. Vet has told her to buy Hills ID dry food, anyone else ever had these symptoms, i would get the vet to run tests now and see what he is intolerent to, its been going on 18 months now or longer.

It sounds like they need to get the dog investigated thoroughly - blood tests, biopsies etc. Have they got the dog insured or can they afford a referral to a specialist if their vet doesn't know what is going on?

The insurance she is with are refusing to pay out now as the condition is ongoing, dont know who she is insured with though, i agree it needs sorting out, its not fair on my friend or Ben,, she is beside herself with worry, vet thinks it may be an ulcer that bursts when he vomits, but why he vomiting in the 1st place?

Is the dog on any medication? My boy started vomiting blood when he was on Metacam - it gave him an ulcer. I'm sure they would have thought of that but worth mentioning looking at everything the dog consumes; food, meds and treats. Some of the dental chews contain milk products and they don't suit my dog.

Food allergies and intolerances can do it, but so can things like inflammatory bowel disease, Addisons, and as Lori says ulcers from meds etc... If he was mine I would want it fully and thoroughly investigating. I think referral would be their best plan but it can get very expensive - otherwise go back to the vet and have a serious discussion wrt further investigations and treatment options - or if they have lost faith in the vets then take him for a second opinion - find someone who lives locally that has needed their vet to do something more in depth than vaccinations etc and can recommend them, and go there. :-)

any news on this dog? is it any better?

spleen cancer or liver problem as well.
get him in an x ray  or scann him.to rule out the problem

I wonder if the person has tried the dog on a raw diet, with no cereal and no additives.  I truly believe these can cause
a lot of itchy skin and digestive problems.

Personally I would try it, of course still being seen by a vet as it sounds very bad. Vets try to sell people prescription food and recommend certain makes of food because it puts money in their pockets. The veterinary profession has altered radically in the last few years and they have become more like salesmen than doctors, but obviously the dog still needs to be monitored.

Hiya Guys, i spoke to my friend last night he is much better thanx, still a little weak but better than he was, i'll pass on your comments to her and hopefully she can get to the bottom of the problem.

keep us posted on how she gets on