Expert: Dr. Louis N. Gotthelf - 3/30/2011

Question
Hey my japanese spitz gets really itchy skin every year maybe once or twice a year. she pulls at her fur so much she starts balding. when you look closly there is these little red bumps and her skin is really sensitive on her hole back when your stroking her she cant stand up her legs just go made like she really likes it. but you can tell that its just how sensitive it is. her fur is all wirery dont know what i can do how to sort it i feel so sorry for her i just dont know how much its gonna cost me to take her to the vet. if you can help me that would be great thanks

Answer
If she is experience an allergic reaction in that area, it is a simple matter of giving her some steroid medication during those periods to keep her skin from overreacting.  If there are little red bumps, too, that may be a bacterial infection from scratching, so the dog may also need to be on antibiotics.