cocker spaniel scratching incessantly

Question
Hi
   My 16 year old male cocker spaniel began scratching himself about 3 months ago.  It's almost reflexive, like the way the hind leg scratches when someone scratches a dog's side, except he does it all the time.  We call him "Thumper." He's been treated with Prednisone and an antibiotic, thinking it might be a staph infection, with no results.  There's no obvious lesions on his skin and he continues, even though we just had him clipped.  He seems to respond a little bit to Benedryl but not very much.  He stops when he sleeps.  Thanks, W.C.  

Answer
Hi Wendell!It could be reflex or just an itch. There are many things that can cause itchiness. If the pred and antibiotic did not help, then there may be something on the skin or in the ears that you cannot see. Also, ask your vet to treat your dog for phantom parasites (like whipworms) by deworming the dog and treating for sarcoptic mange. I like to rule those things out when I cannnot find a cause of itching on the surface of the skin.