Bald patches on dog

[NancyBee]

Hi.
We have a white staffy bitch, aged 8 months and since she was 12 weeks old she has had bald patches especially under her chin and on her chest and legs. She doesn't scratch but it looks so awful. She has been to the vets several times and at first he said it was mites and gave her treatment for them, but it didn't do any good and now he doesn't seem to know what it is. I know staffies have skin problems sometimes, but has anybody got a cure? We - and the dog - would be very grateful. Other than that she's fine and a happy little girl.

[jules77]

At 12 weeks old it could have been 'walking dandruff', Cheyletiella, did the vet give you some shampoo, usually Seleen or Malabseb. You can buy Seleen shampoo which is cheaper from the online veterinary websites, but I would be inclined to go back to the vets and ask for tests. I am assuming she hasnt got fleas?

http://www.vetuk.co.uk/index.php?main_page=pro duct_info&cPath=6&products_id=169

Raw liquidised spinach is supposedly very good for itchy skin, but it could be an allergy, and if the vet doesnt know what it is, i would have thought he should have considered allergy tests or skin scrapings

[Noweia]

If ectoparasites have been ruled out, has your vet mentioned a folliculitis of some sort? It's more common in breeds with short hair, like Staffies, and can cause patchy hair loss, where the hairs don't grow back in properly when they fall out.

[jules77]

when your vet has ruled out allergies etc, I have heard some excellent reports on this product.

http://www.aromesse.com/pages/petnat/dermacton .php

[NancyBee]

Thank you all for your answers. She has had skin scrapings which is when the vet said it was mites, but treatment hasn't helped. I will try the shampoo you mention. Thanks again for all the help.

[Noweia]

Demodex mites would be a common cause for bald patches in a young dog. They develop as the dogs gets older and should resolve by themselves. We recommend treatment if there are more than five patches.

Demodex can be very hard to treat properly. What treatment was given?

Does she lick or chew at the bald bits or at her feet? And has she ever had itchy or sore ears?