itching scratching and bleeding

Sometimes skin problems can be related to hormone problems, especially the thyroid. You might want to have her thyroid tested to see if that might be causing some of the itching. I understand your aversion to steroids, but I think you should consider using them for short time to see if they help. You didn't mention the type of dog food you're feeding, but it it's Science Diet, stop using it. I put my Golden Retriever on SC and he developed hot spots within a week. I donated the bag and went back to California Natural and Avoderm. If there's a holistic vet in your area, you might want to take her there to look at other options.

steroids are only a "band-aid", are expensive, and can have nasty side-effects. also, once they are used, they can render many other medications practically useless if an actual diagnosis is finally made and a more specific medication is required. steriods basically surpress the immune system. they do work, but i would only allow it in a last-case scenerio. the fact is that the reason they are being prescribed is likely because your vet has no idea what's wrong. i don't think you're being "cold" in such a case, just realistic. hot spots and recurring skin infections are horrible and extremely painful for your poor pet. trying to do more at this point can be extremely expensive, requiring "specialists" and tests that are simply too expensive for many owners. i don't know what to tell you. just follow your heart i guess. you know what's best for the poor girl and don't feel guilty about whatever decision/direction you decide to go.....just do what you think is best for the animal.......

Thanks Poohmika, your advice is very sound. The more I have thought about what has changed in the last five years with regards to the whole itch problem, it always comes back to food. I can't for the life of me remember what brand it is, but I am sure it is not science diet, we tried her on that but she totally rejected it which was weird for Puddles because she'll try and eat dead things in the back yard :P I'm thinking it is senior formula Beneful but I might be totally wrong. I will be taking a list of food s to the pet store next time and see if any of the ones you and the other contributors has offered are available there. Maybe I need to do a bit of home work, figure out what was in her adult food and comapre it to her senior food for possible clues. In the mean time she looks like a little dog mummy with bandages all over her rear legs. She has taken to dragging her legs and heels through the sharp frozen icy snow (partly why I started this thread yesterday). Wish me luck.