ITCHY SCABS

Question
I HAVE A PUPPY-SHE'S ABOUT 3 AND A HALF MONTHS OLD. SHE LOOKS LIKE A PIT BULL MIXED WITH A BLOODHOUND. SHE IS CARAMEL COLOR AND SHE HAS BEEN CHEWING HERSELF TO THE POINT WHERE SHE HAS PATCHES OF HER COAT THAT SHE'S CHEWED OFF AT THE ROOT. WHEN I WAS CHECKING HER OUT , I FELT THESE SMALL BUMPS THAT SEEMED TO START AT THE BASE OF HER TAIL AND MAKE THEIR WAY ACROSS HER BUTT AND THEN SEEM TO END. WHEN I MOVED THE HAIRS, SO I COULD VIEW THE BUMPS, I REALIZED THAT THE BUMPS WERE ACTUALLY SCABS. DIFFERENT SIZES- SOME LOOKED LIKE SCRATCHES THAT WERE HEALING, AND SOME WERE JUST SINGLE, SMALL SCABS. SHE IS CONSTANTLY TURNED AROUND, TRYING TO REACH THEM, AND WHEN SHE DOES, SHE TRIES TO MINCE THEM IN HER FRONT TEETH. I AM NOT FAMILIAR WITH THE VARIETY OF FLEAS AND TICKS THAT DOGS CARRY- AND I WOULD HAVE TO BE INFORMED OF WHAT, EXACTLY, TO LOOK FOR. I WILL BRUSH HER BACK AND THE ENTIRE AREA WITH THE BUMPS, WITH A VERY STIFF BRISTLE BRUSH A COUPLE TIMES A DAY, AND WHEN I DO SHE IS ON CLOUD NINE WITH THE RELIEF OF GETTING HER ITCH SCRATCHED. I NEED TO KNOW WHAT I SHOULD BE ON THE HUNT FOR(fleas, ticks, mites)-MEANING A DESCRIPTION(very clear) OF EACH BUG AND WHERE TO CONCENTRATE MY SEARCH AS WELL AS THE BEST CURE FOR HER SITUATION, SOMETHING OVER THE COUNTER IF POSSIBLE. I APPRECIATE ANY HELP YOU CAN GIVE ME. THANX A BUNCH!  

Answer
She sounds like a short coated breed, so it should be easy to tell if she has a visable parasite. Fleas are about the size of the head of a pin. They are brown in color and jump. You will usually find them on the face of the dog and on the belly/groin area. If you run your fingers throught the hair on her face backwards over and over, you can usually stir them up and you will see them run. Or turn her on her back and look at her tummy. Look where there is not much hair and you may see them. There does not have to be alot of fleas to make her miserable. Many dogs suffer from flea dermatitis. Basically, they are very allergic to the flea bite and that causes them to scratch more then the flea itself. Ticks are larger and usually wouldn't cause what you are describing. Ticks attach themselves in one place and suck the blood. They become larger as they gorge themselves. Some ending up the size of the kernel of corn. Mites I am not very familiar with. I have never had a dog that has had them. I really suggest that you see a vet and rule out mange or some other auto immune problem. Some of these problems could be a life long battle and cause alot of suffering for the dog. The vet would probably do a skin biopsy if no visable parisite is found. Please take her in as its sounds as if she is not well. Good Luck.