Thanks for all your advice guys - I think I'll get some Thornit on order today! On the subject of vets selling you stuff you don't really need - mine tried to tell me that Tia had a mystery allergy and wanted to send her for extensive tests with a specialist etc after doing basic tests. Anyway, I was unsure so talked to my groomer and she put me onto a local natural grooming company. They went through a list of symptoms - too hot all the time, dry flaky skin, build up of crusty skin on toes / ears, rash on belly - all she had - told me to change her diet and turns out she was having too much protein! Within a week her skin was much better, all the crusty stuff dried up and hasn't come back. She now has a bath in shampoo with a high % of primrose evening oil and apart from having dirty smelly ears (!) as discussed on the health bit she's a lot better. It's hard to know when the vet is genuine when you have insurance you're going to go along with whatever is needed for your dog and they know it!! I have spent the last 2 years giving Tia anti-biotics, steriods and special medicated shampoo etc!
