My two collies Brett and Sam have got a skin complaint that's making them scratch a lot and nibble their fur (Sam has even nibbled a bare patch on his back), so took them to the vet.  She took some skin scrapes and hair samples but the analyses were all negative. So she has given me some medicated shampoo to see if that will clear it up (it's Seleen, for seborhoeic  dermatitis). And I've also got to get a urine sample from each dog. Then I've got to take them back in two weeks to see if the shampoo has worked or whether the urine samples showed up anything untoward.

Any thoughts on what the skin condition might be, and any suggestions for treatrment.

Many dogs have an issue with dust mites so do you spray your house with Indorex regularly?

It may just be dry skin, so you might wish to consider adding Fish Body Oils to the diet along with Vitamin E.

It could also be a seasonal allergy - my terrier seems to have a reaction to grass seed, she starts scratching in mid-July and stops in early October!

The vet should be able to establish from testing whether or not its an allergy, but treatment generally seems to be steroids. :(  There are some better drug alternatives for atopy, but they are expensive and only really needed if its severe, and all year round.

I would be inclined to investigate the allergy route and go from there......in the meantime, bathing a couple of times a week with the special shampoo, with cool water (not warm), and a small dose of Piriton every day (the vet can advise you on a suitable dose but be careful), seems to help my terrier get through the summer with not too many bald patches.  :)

Hope you get it sorted.

Susie

This is not so serious condition so they is no need to be worry much this has happen to my lab 1 year before and the vet have prescribed me powder to put on the skin.

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Took the urine samples to the vet this morning, so now I'm just waiting to see what the analysis turns up.

I've just sent for some Indorex via VetUK. Thanks for the tip, I didn't know that existed.

Selenium based shampoo is used for Cheyletiella mites, commonly known as walking dandruff, so could be that.

Or could be sarcoptic mange. Do they have any tiny crusty scabs anywhere?

The urine sample analyses were all clear, plus the Seleen shampoo and some Coatex capsules (fatty acids + some vits for dry scaly skin) seem to be gradually changing things for the better. I've to take the dogs back to the vet in two weeks to see how things are going. I've also sent for some Neem leaf to add to their food on a strong recommendation from several other dog owners as they say that has worked wonders with their dogs when they had itchy skin.

When you have an itchy dog (been there, done that!) it's very tempting to throw every possible solution at the problem to alleviate their discomfort.  The problem with this is that you can't be absolutely sure what is working.  If you can, do try these things one at a time, for 2 weeks each time, then leave a week in between.  If you were being more scientific you'd try it for longer then leave a longer gap but 2 weeks on, and 1 week clear ought to give you enough of an indication if something is likely to be effective.

Incidentally if you suspect a seasonal allergy, washing your dog after every walk, and wiping eyes and ears is a great way to remove pollens and other irritants and is known to be pretty effective at controlling the itches.  I use a very mild solution of Hibiscrub...