Itchy skin

[MsBehave]

Hi everyone. We have a 5.5 month old, female dog who we think is an Alsation/Jack Russell cross. She's a rescue dog so we are not sure. Anyway, she's absolutely perfect, a wee angel to be honest. Just a bit concerned about how itchy her back is. She has had one (of three) flea and tick treatments so surely this should have gotten things moving along if she does have anything? She is going to the vet tonight but in the meantime does anyone know what it could be? The skin is a little flaky and she has a couple of black, crusty spots on her back. The problem area is only running down her spine - nowhere else. Many thanks.

[nightmare]

Alsatian / Jack Russell cross ?
That must have been an interesting encounter, either way.

[jules77]

Could be down to stress, could be an allergy to fleas. The vet may take a skin scraping or give you a special shampoo to bath her in. Camrosa cream is excellent for itchy skin
http://www.camrosa.co.uk/dogs.htm

[RATTER15]

German shepherd X Jack Russell How could he stoop so low!! or did someone put her up to it!!

[leela]

Does your dog swim in water alot?

Does it like rolling around in the mud/grass on its back?

My dog does both the above and managed to pick up ainfection that was easily treatted by antibiotics and washing her in medicated shampoo!

[NancyBee]

I would say its a flea allergy, my female shepherd used to get this.
I loved your comments by the way, Nightmare and Ratter15. It does seem an unlikely combination.

[MsBehave]

lol @ nightmare. Yeah we think her mum was an Alsation and her dad was a (very confident) Jack Russell. Whatever she is, she's adorable! Was at the vet last night with her and it looks like just an allergy so she's on special shampoo now.
PS leela yeah she is a puppy so she is into everything! :O)

[fatotter]

do you have a cat? our dog suffered with bad, dry itchy skin and we later discovered it was because she had been eating the cats food, which were only dry biscuits but she was allergic.

[mimi22]

Hope she's on the mend and what the vet prescribed is working.We had a JRT who was alergic to flea bites so we used to have to dose him with the flea stuff slightly more frequent than normal to ensure he didn't get any. I think as well that dogs kept in modern houses seem to suffer a bit from dry skin generally, JRT's in particular seem to love being warm and hug the fire side and radiators. Once she's better try feeding tuna in oil once a week, it seems to keep the dry skin at bay, does wonders for their coats and I've not had a dog who didn't love it! Hope you have many happy years together!

[MsBehave]

No, no other pets fatotter. Interesting reading about the tuna mimi22. Will give it a go for sure. I've been told a really funny story about a dog that ate a dozen raw eggs once (owner unpacking shopping and didn't realise!) and this dog had the best looking coat ever. Probably a bit sick afterwards too though!!