My mum has a golden retreiver that has had a sensitive "stripe" down the middle of his back since August. The vet has prescribed steroids and they seem to clear it up straight away. Vet doesnt know what it causing it says it maybe an allergy. Hes on sensitive food for his tummy anyway so she ruled that out. When you touch him on his back he twitches like its itching and then he tries to scratch. Ive ruled out mites and fleas and his skin isnt red or flaky. He had six weeks of tablets back in Aug, as soon as he stopped taking them the itching started again,so we went back to the vets.She gave him an injection followed by tablets, the effects of the injection was instant he stopped twitching straight away...tablets have run out again and guess what...its back..im at a loss anybody got any clues?
Its not good for him to be on steroids all the time...hes putting weight on.HELP!! Sue

Anyone?

The first thing that came to mind was [link http://www.champdogsforum.co.uk/cgi-bin/board/topic_show.pl?pid=267138;hlm=and;hl=neck#267138] this [/link] that someone posted the other day, other than that no idea I am afraid. 

If you find out what it is please let us know

Christine

The first thing that came to mind was [link http://www.champdogsforum.co.uk/cgi-bin/board/topic_show.pl?pid=267138;hlm=and;hl=neck#267138] this [/link] that someone posted the other day, other than that no idea I am afraid. 

If you find out what it is please let us know

Christine

The link does not work - either copy and paste or do a search on "neck" over the last 14 days and it will bring up a list of posts including one with information on a health problem.

Hi Scoobydoo,

I am very interested in this because Poppy, my 2 yr old Labrador also has this problem.It's quite a recent thing for her and I've not yet seen the vet but will have to as its not improving. If you(or anyone) has any further information on this please post!
Poppy has the usual frontline treatment and I also have ruled out fleas etc.. also no sores to be found on her and her coat is very good. It's such a shame for her, and if someone unknowingly strokes her its obviously very unpleasant for her. I hope she wont need steroids as she is alread overweight (tried everything, getting nowhere).
Thanks for posting this to the board. I hope your Mums retriever is improving and really would appreciate any info or advice on this. Thank you
Best wishes,
Val

Have you considered that your dog may have a Frontline intolerance. This would explain why her back is so sensitive.

The active ingredient in Frontline is Fipronil, the following excerpt was taken from 'Pesticides News';

'Chronic effects
Fipronil is neurotoxic in both rats and dogs as shown in the acute and sub-chronic screening in the rat, developmental neurotoxicity and chronic carcinogenicity studies in the rat and in two chronic dog studies.
There has been a low incidence of severe skin reactions to Frontline Spray treatment, Top Spot for Cats and Top Spot for Dogs, mostly resulting in skin irritation and/or hair loss at the site of application. There is some suggestion that dogs are more severely affected than cats.'

The above paragraph explains why we do not routinely use Frontline on our dogs!

snomaes

Hello snomaes.

Thank you very much for your interesting reply. I do use Frontline but quite seldom (I used it recently but that was the first time in a year).  I think I will give it a miss from now on.
These things do worry me so much. Same with worming tablets - Poppy was very ill (almost died) after worming tablets were used at 1 yr old. She's now 2. Why do our beloved animals have to be put at risk like this? It scares me. We try to do our best for them and in so doing we cause other problems(in some cases).

Really appreciate your reply. I wonder what other flea protection is recommended? Must admit I've never seen a flea on Poppy in all the time she's been with me (adopted her at 9mths).

Thank you very much again.

Best wishes,
Val:-)

Hi,

Just add here one of my Golden bitches cannot tolerate Frontline it brings her out in scabs where she scratches and the sores weep only happens when Fontline is applied and within 48 hrs  our girl is going bonkers try to scratch aresa she cant reach and will seek out funature,fencing anything to relieve her back.

Briony :-)