Questions about skin conditions for a westie?

I have two west highland terriors and one seems to be prone to skin conditions...before you tell me to get to the vet...I have already been they charged me a ton of money to tell me they do not know what is causing it...anyhow I am wondering if there is a shampoo and or dog food which is easier on them? Any westie owners with any info would be appreciated...

Questions about skin conditions for a westie?
Westies are one of the most predisposed breeds to experience dermal allergies. We call it "White Dog Disease" as a blanket term at the vet clinic where I work.





Most dog allergies appear dermally, but can be caused by many different factors. One being gastrointestinal, another being environmental factors. HESKA has a good allergy test that (yes, I know... the dreaded "v" word) your vet can conduct. Costly, but definitive.





You might want to ask your vet about hypoallergenic DOG FOOD. (I'm not kidding.) Hill's Science Diet Prescription Diet Z/D, Z/D Ultra, those are your two bestest bets. Your vet can recommend a trial of the food, but you have to be set because you won't see results right away.





If the food trial doesn't work, would you consider oral medications? If so, there are a ton of antihistamines that vets use, but we see WONDERFUL results with a medicine called Atopica. (Again, no immediate results, but you have nothing to lose.)





Westies are wonderful dogs. The only problem with highly specialized breeds are the flaws which come with them. IMHO, mutts are the healthiest! LOL





Good luck with this, you just need to be hardheaded. You can treat this!
Reply:Try a grain-free food. No corn, no wheat (and no soy).
Reply:IF it is kinda a dry ichty thing, get a Sensitive mosutizing shampoo, or get Senstive Shampoo %26amp; Senstive Conditioner. If you dog is getting oily hair, use a non shed (dries out hair) Sensitive solution shampoo. i would always go sensitive, not full strength just incase you are misjuding the problem. Also just check for fleas, mites, bugs you know. Google common westie skin problems maybe. I had this same trouble with my Shih Tzu and my vet didn't know or do anything either. So i did wome reasearch and ended up with Senstive Hot Spot %26amp; Dry Skin formula. Good luck!
Reply:everything i was going to suggest was stated by "lisa w"- so I "second" her comments- Z/D utlra food and allergy testing