Extremely Bad Skin Problems – Multiple Possibilities

CLARIFICATION
You did not say whether you have been to a vet dermatologist. Has your vet done skin scrapings to look for sarcoptic mange? Have there been fungal, bacterial and yeast cultures done?
You did mention allergy shots and elimination diets, but not what the allergy testing showed nor how long the elimination diets were tried.

COMMENTARY
Allergy tests determine what ‘inhaled’ allergen the dog is allergic to (molds, house dust, grasses, etc). If there are more than 3-5 items on the list showing high allergic levels, it is very unlikely that allergy shots will reduce the itching.
Inhaled allergies are typically exhibited by itching of the face, eyes, sides of the mouth, the ears, chewing like a corncob down the tops of the front legs and licking/chewing the tops of the feet.
If the itching is only on the lower portion of the body (bottom of feet, chest, abdomen, groin, inner thighs, etc.), then I would suspect a contact allergy – something she is laying on or in contact with (maybe even detergent used to wash bedding).
Food allergies will exhibit by itching, especially the flanks, the sides of the neck and on the head.

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Take care,

Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

DISCLAIMER This educational advice is based on the depth of your question and the picture you submitted. The above should never replace the advice of your local veterinarian, as they have the ability to evaluate your dog in person.

Related Pages:
– Dog Skin Conditions,
– Dog Itchy Skin,
– Dog Skin Rash,
– Dog Skin Allergies,
– Ask a Vet Online Library – Dog Skin Rashes, Marks, Spots, Lesions & Patches (including itchy skin and mange) Section

After paying for a blood test for allergies, we figured out that he was allergic to any flea pesticide, flea collar, flea-preventative ingested medication — I felt so guilty that he went through this … but just try it … if you have a dog with skin condition … stop the flea treatment.

There are natural ways to prevent your dog from fleas and ticks … my boy has beautiful skin now except for various allergic conditions periodically – exhibited mostly in his ears (bacterial infections). He gets his ears cleaned with Qtips most every day.

Also, if your dog has chronic ear infections (water dogs often have ear infections) – you need to put the cleaning solution in the ears for more than 30 sections. Two minutes is needed to loosen the nasties – per the vet. No one told me this for years and now I am able to better keep the “boogies” from coming back. I swear my dog now knows what “two minutes” means and loves singing while I count it down.