Recent Hair Loss - Help!

Question
Our Pug is 1 1/2 years old and he has recently started losing his hair around
his legs and it's now spread onto his belly, which is almost completely bald.
The rest of his hair seems to be thinning. He seems to be more itchy than
usual (it is not fleas, however, he's been on advantix since he was old
enough). I recently moved to state where I unfortunately have yet to find a vet
whom I feel is passionate and knowledgeable about the breed and actually
animals in general. I've been taking him to Banfield for his shots and check
ups but I'm not entirely enthused about their vet. I'm quite certain this could
be allergies however, I've called around 11 vets to see if I could have him
checked out and every single office that I called, their response has been
"bring him in for a skin scraping." I'm not sure that is necessary and as I have
a Bulldog (naturally prone to skin problems) who has had many skin
scrapings, I know that they can be painful. I was wondering if anyone knows
of anything homeopathic or over the counter that I can try to relieve his
symptoms until I find him a vet that is willing to actually LOOK at him before
they jump to scraping the poor guys skin off? I do know that my Bulldogs skin
irritations were not contagious, they were mostly food allergies. The heat and
the air is very different here (the south) from where we used live (the south).
Theres been a recent heatwave and upswing of pollen/allergies for humans.
I'm not sure if I should change his food, give him an anti-bacterial bath or an
oatmeal or perhaps wheatgrass bath, give him something for allergies, or
what. I really would appreciate anyones thoughts on this matter. By all means
I will of course take him in if this doesn't stop but I really don't want to
subject him to a skin scraping if I can prevent it.

Answer
What they are wanting to check for is demodectic mange. The mange lives in their hair follicles and does not cause them a problem unless their immune system is suppressed. A major change in their life or puberty can cause this to happen.

Have you tried an over the counter 25 mg of benadryl for itching?

You really should have him checked over by a vet to make he is not suffering from mange.

Good luck.