Expert: Dr. Louis N. Gotthelf - 4/4/2009

Question
Hi, We have a 7 month old Blue Cattle X Jack Russell and she is a very itchy girl. She has been itchy since we got her at about 12 weeks old. She doesn't have fleas (we Frontline her regularly) and she seems to be itchy all over. She is now starting to go bald on her back above her tail from the biting. Most of the time she doesn't have any sort of indication of a reaction to anything. Sometimes though, (but very seldom) she does get a red rash, most noticeable on her belly of course. I feel so sorry for her. We don't know if it is from certain foods or plants in our area. Our neighbour had a pure bred Jack Russell which seemed to be the same and they could not ever find out what it was. But I don't know if it is related at all. How can we fix her without heaps of expensive tests etc? Thanks.

Answer
This could either be mange mites or a food allergy.  I would recommend that you ask a vet to dip the dog for both sarcoptic and demodex mites.  YOu can change the diet to a single protein diet available from your vet. Bacterial infection is secondary to these and if there are red bumps, the pup may need antibiotics.