I have a four year old border who has suffered with a terrible skin problem for over a year now.It started a year last summer when he was left at a friends to be looked after and unfortunately she did a terrible job.He came back riddled with fleas having been run over and was smelling very bad.Several visits to the vets later and treatments that have included steroids, anti biotics, anti bacterial washes, protien free diets and flea powder to combat mange(all of these in one go, once!)and the problem is as bad as ever.Worse, I fear that he is starting to react badly to the steroids as he has spent a night throwing up 4 times in the space of one hour with nothing but bile coming out. I also have a severe spinal problem and although the washes help, I find it impossible to bath him without help(a very unpleasant job) and am considering rehoming him as he is not getting the physical contact that he needs as he smells so bad, plus I cannot physically manage to bath him the recommended every 2-3 days (he is very big for a border as he was bred for temperament rather than looks and is roughly twice the size of any other borders I have met although not at all overweight.)It would break my heart to rehome him as he is the most adorable dog you could ever wish to meet.(My 9 month old nephew once pulled a chunk of his moustach out without him even curling his lip!) however I cannot stand to see him not getting the care that unfortunately I feel unable to give him.His skin is red raw as he scratches constantly, his undercoat is virtually gone and especially his chest weeps and scabs over. He has bitten holes in his back that bleed.Any suggestions would be gratefully received.

Hi, has your vet actually told you what your dog has, done scrapings to test for mange?
He could have had a bad reaction to the flea bites but that should have cleared up by now with the right treatment, also I don`t see the connection between them & mange. I think you need a second opinion on your poor dog. I would take him to the vet asap regarding the vomiting, that along with his other probs means he`s not well, it could be any of the treatments besides the steroids causing him to vomit.

Christine, Spain.

frodo, i am so sorry your poor dog is not well IF you have decided to rehome him for his sake please get in touch with border rescue some one on here must know there number???? and will post it, it might be better for him to go there or they might beable to help in another way, i hope you never let these people look after him again.

I would ask for a referal to a canine dermatologist, find the reason for his problem and then you probably will have a much better chance of controlling the problem.  Good luck.
Dawn.