I have tried all off shelf products and moved my dog onto a hypoallergenic dried food,but still he suffers from what appears to be a very itchy stomach area.
He rubs himself on the carpet and any rough surface causing small sore area and his skin around this area is now very dark in colour.
Vet seems to think most likely allergic to something probably food wise hence the change in diet.
He was bought from a reputable dealer  
Has anyone got any thoughts on what might cure or help him ,he seems so irritated by it,

His name is Max.

Your only real solution is probably to have allergy testing done - expensive unless you have insurance to pay for it. I have a wire haired fox terrier who became itchy at about 18 months old, and scratched and bit herself until she had a scabby back and sore paws. My first vet insisted it was a food allergy (without any allergy testing) and treated by powerful steroids, then tried to insist my dog went onto a special diet. We parted company over the issue of steroid use and special diets.

My second vet (who I am still using) said that food allergies are rarer than allergies to things in the environment (eg. dust mites, pollen). I did find some websites that said the same, but I suspect different vets have different views! Anyway, we allergy tested, found out the cause (pollen, not food) and now manage it quite well. Piriton tablets (the human ones) and Malaseb shampoo are our main treatments. Occasionally, eg. in high pollen season, we have to resort to an occasional steroid injection (I would prefer not to do this, but sometimes it is necessary) and antibiotics to stop the itching cycle. My dog rubbed her itchy back on the carpet constantly, until it was sore and raw. Of course, the raw areas then got infected, which needed antibiotics. It is an awful cycle. I can only suggest that you try allergy testing. It is done in stages and you can stop partway through (we did), if your vet does what mine did, and asks you at each stage.

Poor Max. My Bracken was miserable when at her worst. Fingers crossed that you manage to find some solution.

Claire

Hi HUGGY 561

What do you feed Max at the moment?

Have you tried Trophy hypoallergenic food, it is fantastic, wheat gluten free, no artifical colours, flavours or additives!  It has 23% salmon meat, slmon oil, chicken oil, seaweed, glucosamine fab for the joints. I would highly recommend it for a Westie, as this breed does have a tendency for skin problems. If your dog does have a wheat gluten allergy it is also worth bearing in mind the treats you give him, these should also be wheat gluten free.

If you give Trophy a go, you will not be disappointed, you will notice a diffference.

> He was bought from a reputable dealer

I hope that you mean a reputable breeder, no dealer is reputable when it comes to dogs :D

Have you contacted the breeder.  They may be able to advise which foods their breeding does well on without itching issues.  Also the breeder will appreciate knowign that they have bred an itchy pup as reputable breeders try hard to avoid problems in their breding programs.

Hi,
Have you tried all the usual:- Washing powders, furniture spays, smelly spays. Plant in your garden etc

Yes you should inform the breeder, thay might have some advice. :-)

Are you keeping the area underneath nice and clean, A lot of the hypoallergenic dog foods are not particularly great. Full of grains etc.  The fact that it is his belly would suggest to me it is more environmental IE washing powders, bedding, carpets etc.

In defence the fact you have put someones affix on the thread which I hope will be removed ASAP. This is relatively new line as generations goes. If anything it is likely ONLY to be possibly one or both of the parents with this affix but won't go back further than that so it isn't their " lines" as such that is the problem if it was a genetic problem which I am not convinced it is anyway..

I wouldn't normally interfere but it is not really a nice thing to read on any forum.  The name mentioned has a very good responsible reputation.  I would contact the people you bought the puppy from immediately for assistance.

Hiya

Are Skin problems not common in westies? Sure I read that somewhere but may be wrong

How long has he been scratching? One of my dogs always starts this time of year, he has a grass allergy same everytime, I give him a piriton which helps a bit and wash him in Quistel shampoo which seems to help.
I also find that if i can exercise him on moorland (where its different type of grass) he is fine.

Worth a go? Keep him off the grass for a few days see if he improves

Kim

> Are Skin problems not common in westies? Sure I read that somewhere but may be wrong
>

Very common in badly bred ones, but something the Good breeders work very hard to avoid.  Sadly there are more of the former than the latter as with any commercially popular breed.