For the second time, my pugs is experiencing little, itchy bumps on his back and hind leg areas. They are visibly raised and in some areas, little patches of fur are worn away. The first time this happened, my vet told me it was an allergy and prescribed steroids for a week. I asked my vet about mange and he dismissed my theory. I have been doing a lot of on line research and it seems Kozmo's symptoms parallel the symptoms of Mange, demodectic or sartopic I am not sure. If anyone knows anything about this skin disease, please respond - It is much appreciated, all the way in the States. Thanks!
Kim
kimreavill@yahoo.com

It is not typical of demodectic that does not itch and almost always effects the head and feet first and would not clear up with steroids treatment. It could be sartopic, but again I would be very surprised if it would clear up with steroids. To me it sounds more like a flea allergy, the steroids were to calm the itching and stop the habit your dog may have of scratching or nibbling.

Having said that if you think you can't trust your vet try somewhere else and ask for a skin scrape that should rule out or confirm the mange theory.

I have had the same problem with my dalmatian in the end it was harvest mites. They like to live between the feet and around the muzle with your dogs being a lot smaller they would reach up in to the legs. Is it in the summer months they have appeared because the mite lives from june until the first frost.I found a wonderful cure for this and may other skin problems and it is ekoneem oil I couldnt have done with out it. The vet said it was a load of rubbish but it really works. It stops infections and is a natural product I use it for sore pads the lot and it is a natural insect repellent the only draw back is the smell.

As Jackie say's I would request a skin scrape, Sarcoptic mange is very common in areas where foxes frequent - but I would expect it to affect the face area first? It is the same mite as the human scabies and the females need to burrow under skin to lay their eggs (as in humans) so a skin scrape should produce enough material to be able to see the little blighters under a microscope.
Sarah.