Expert: Breeder - 12/28/2006

Question
Hi,
I rescued a Bichon a couple years ago he is about 7-8 years old and I really have no background on him.
He seems to have some sort of skin issues...scratching, licking etc.  the vet says that this breed is prone to skin disorders and there isn't too much we can do.
in the last few weeks the hair around both his eyes has fallen out and his skin was very pink.  I can't think of anything that has changed recently to cause this.  he went to the vet and they said that they didn't know what it was that they had never seen anything like this before.
he was given a steroid for his eyes and an antibiotic because he seemed to have an ear infection too.
his eyes are looking better now...the skin around them is getting back to it's normal colour but the skin still appears a little swollen and there is still no hair.  other than the "eyelashes" which never fell out to begin with.
has anyone ever seen this before?  any ideas?
thanks.

Answer
Bichon's should not have skin issues.  These are poor quality examples of the breed.
First Steroids just hide the problem.  It's a qucik temporary fix.  You need to see Vetenery Dermotoligist.
I would also have a stool check done for parasites.  They
can reek havic.