My Pug/Cocker Spaniel Mix scratches like crazy

Question
QUESTION: Good afternoon Delores,

I have a 2 and 1/2 year old Pug/Cocker Spaniel mix at home.  She has a habit of scratching a lot and has started to develop a darker color to her skin.  She has also developed scaly skin on her chest from scratching.  I've started using an all natural topical spray designed for hot spots and is clearing up some of the dark skin, but it's not helping with her itching or scratching.  I also switched her to a new, all natural, food from a company called Nutri Source that a vet recommended to address potential food allergies.  I'm desperate for some help for me and my pup but I can't afford a million dollars in vet bills and would like to see if you have any suggestions for some alternatives that I can try to help maybe narrow down the problem some.  She is a great, playful dog.  She doesn't ack sick or lethargic.  She doesn't break the skin when she scratches either.  She's also licking a lot around her groin.

Any recommendations you can give would be great.  Thank you so much.

Joel G.

ANSWER: Yes, I have suggestions.  First of all, topical is key and bathing her with the right shampoo will help immensely and make her more comfortable.  That's goal number One. :)

But I have some questions.  Does she have "dandruff"..do you see white flakes?  Does her skin have an odor?  What did your vet do to diagnose food allergies?  What's the climate where you live?
How long has this been going on?  Describe her coat?  How are her ears and what do you use to clean them?

I'm going to take a look at Nutri Source (which I've never heard of) and see what's in it.  But I will tell you food allergies are responsible only about 5 to 7% of the time.  However, a premium food is essential for all over good health.
Delores

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you for your reply!  to answer your questions:

1) No, there's no dandruff or white flakes.  Her skin really only has an odor around her hot spots (chest, inside of back hips and armpits).  I live in Washington State so climeate is up and down.  It was a wet cold fall thru spring, but it's been a warm dry summer so far.  There wasn't really a diagnosis from a vet, I brought it up to her on a call because I'd read that food may be an issue and she said I could try this food.  There wasn't a formal diagnosis though.  Her coat isn't that bad.  If anything her fur may be a little dry.  Her stomach is bald and her chest hair is thin because of the scratching.  Otherwise her coat is fine.  She's not missing hair anywhere else.  This has been going on for about a year now.  I thought it was just normal scratching because she doesn't have fleas.  The hot spots started about a month ago though.

She eats well, drinks plenty of water, sleeps well (minus the scratching), and seems to be an overall happy pup most of the time.  

Here's a link for NutriSource if you're interested:

http://www.nutrisourcedogfood.com/

Thank you again!

Joel G.

Answer
Okay.  The key to hot spots is bathing with a medicated shampoo daily for about a week..then tapering to every 2 days, etc.  I'd advise getting some Nizoral (a favorite with vet Dermatologists and available in most supermarkets & drugstores) and starting with that.
it kills off bacteria and yeast.

Shake bottle well - wet and lather her up and leave on for 10 minutes.
Then rinse, rinse, rinse with tepid water (never hot).  When you think you've rinsed enough, do it 5 more times.  Hopefully you have a hand-held shower attachment?  (Take a kitchen timer in with you - it "feels" like a long time:).

I'd like to know how much relief that gives her and what the hot-spot reaction is before proceeding any further.  As I said, the immediate goal is to give her comfort so further treatment will depend on how she is after two baths.

I did look up NutriSource.  It's okay but I'd be tempted to switch her over to California Natural Lamb for awhile since it has extremely limited ingredients.
Delores