German Shepherd with itching and flaking skin....???

Question
I have a GSD that will be 4 in July, he has had problems with him bitting at his front paws when I first got him and my Vet said that it was Scabies one time then he didn't have them then he did so I ended up changin Vet's.   My new Vet doesn't know exactly what is going on but what we've done for treatments are anti-biotics, changing his food to Prescription Diet Duck & Potato, and no treats other than carrots or apples, what happens it seems is that his skin gets dry, in some areas it seems to form a yellowish dryness which when removed or falls off there is a small pimple redness bump under is which usually breaks and causes a scab and they are itchy, he's got them sort of all over including under his chin, over his eyes (eyebrows) his back has a couple bad one's and his "ears" seem to be the worse where they are losing hair on the edges of his ears and you can see the dryness of his skin.   I just started trying hydrocortisone because of my reading up on this issue I'm thinking maybe eczema or something like that but it can't hurt with helping his itching if only that.



The itching is coming from the backs of his ears not inside but he scratches so much it causes sores inside his ears from his nails.  Which I helped a little by buying that nail dremmel type tool that's on the market and it seems to make the nail a little smoother than clipping them.



I am giving him about 4,000 units of omega 3 in his food in two servings of food each day but no help as well as washing him at a self dog wash place (Thankfully I have in my City) that I pay $20.00 and I do the washing and drying.  That way I know I get all the soap out and give him a good wash.   I don't shampoo him "every" weekend but do wet him down and try to get the dead skin off every other week end and then use the conditioner which was recommended from my Vets and I buy it right from them, it's a prescription shampoo and conditioner.    And actually after this wash when gettin home I can run through his hair and see dandruff/dead skin?!?   He has been tested twice from many different area scrapes for scabies just to make sure and rule out but that keeps coming up negative.   I have no clue what to do now to help him and after reading your profile and you owning GSD's for so long you might have come accross this??   Also the end of his tail has lost a little hair and is very dry also and I belive sensitive.



If there is anything, anything you can think of to help would be greatly appreciated, I love my pet and hate to see him suffer from itching.    The only thing that gives it away if you saw him is his ear's where he's lost some hair on the edges and backs.   And those are the most itchy for some reason also?!?   But when a blister first starts it's very itchy also.    Any help please!!

I just started using hydrocorisone on his ears and it seems to be helping with the dry skin on the edges as well as the backs of his ears, it's hard to get the cream under and to his skin though on his back so I'm going to call my Vet Monday to see if there is a liquid that I can use??   I'm hoping this will have a good effect, it's only been 2 days and I can see some good results.   



Thanks so much ahead of time.   Jim from (Concord, NH)

Answer
Dogs that have foot itching and ear itching have allergies!!!  The omega 3's can help, but it takes a long time.  I would recommend that you have the dog get a shot of Dexamethasone from your vet.  If that helps relieve the dog, then they have dexamethasone pills that you can give to keep the itching down. We use a very tiny dose and give it 2 times per week to avoid steroid side effects.  If this doesn't help, then have the dog dipped for mange anyway.  Over 50% of mange cases cannot be diagnosed with skin scrapings, so if we suspect it, we treat for it anyway.