I have an 8 year old lab who for the last 2 years (since moving to the area we live) has suffered some unknown allergy/irritation.
It seems to flare up in April and Sept/Oct.
It looks like allergy to flea bites and vet treated is as this with Sirulan (sp) ear drops to rub on his chest (worst area)
Got a 2nd opinion and vet said food allergy. Changed onto Hypo Allergenic wheat free food but skin still flares up.
I treat it myself with Ruggles shampoo and salve and this relieves it but has anyone had any similar problems?
I am considering BARF next but not convinced its diet.

The most common allergies are those to dust mites, pollen and flea bites.

Have you had any testing done on the dog at all?

Have you considered the option of a homeopathic vet who may make up a bespoke treatment?

British Assoc. of Homeopathic Veterinary Surgeons

You could always ask the vet to take a skin scraping to have analysed.

Is your house any different from your last place I.e carpets where you are now but wooden floor in old house? This i s just an example. The reason I ask is because my dogs allergy only became apparent when I moved to a house with carpet. He has a dust mite allergy. I was told by a vet also that it was diet related so changed to hypoallgenic but made no difference. Allergy testing is abailable either by blood testing or skin scrapings. I think allergy testing could be the way forward for your dog.

HTH

He is a kennel dog so only thing that was different in the move would maybe be a different type of wood.
Vet I got a second opinion on basically said he's not insured so it would cost too much to investigate.
Piriton gives relief as does the Ruggles but it seems weird it flares even on a wheat free diet even though the 2nd vet said definately food related.
I have since changed vets so will ask about skin scrape. What will that show up though?
We have many dogs and have done for years but all in all they are a healthy bunch with no issues apart from him.

Out of interest, where you given a rough guideline as to what the investigation would entail and how much each step would cost. Surely, it is up to you as the paying "client" to make the decision as to what is too much. Not the vet. Just my opinion.

Personally, I think it is unlikely to be food-related if it only flares up at certain time periods UNLESS there is something in the environment at those timepoints that lower his immune system and he as a result reacts to the food that he normally would be ok with. Highly unlikely though and more likely something environmental to start off with.

I'm not quite sure how the second vet can say it's food related when no tests have been done. I have a cat with problematic skin who literally scratches until her necks bald and pouring with blood. She is getting better as she gets older but is definately worse in winter when we have the heating on. I think with Tillie it could be an accumulation of factors....as to what those factor are, well thats a working progress!

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Courtesy of Pheebus!

I asked for a ballpark and said it was impossible to estimate.
I got the impression they thought it may not be so lucrative if I was not insured. maybe I am too cynical but after the whole carry on I had with the vets over an out of hours call and told to just wait till tomorrow as its 6.20pm when my dog managed to lose his plaster cast. Vet also said he didnt need it on! i politely asked if the charges for fitting said cast would be waived too.
New vets are spot on so will take him back but as its just about cleared up for the winter it may be as well waiting for a April appearance.
I agree with you about the food but the way I was approaching at, as advised by Ruggles was it could be making the problem worse with the food so get him on something with little to annoy his skin. Poor lad is 8 in january but this has aged him so much.

It cost me £120 to have allergy testing done via a blood test (this was for environmental allergies and contact. Please note blood testing is not as reliable as skin scrapings but it worked for us). To have food allergy testing done it was around the £350 mark via a blood test but TBH food allergy testing is not very reliable and an elimination diet is preferred (which from your post you have already tried) Coles (my dog) is not insured for his skin problem either (took policy out after he symptoms started, so pre-existing). I know the skin scrapings are more money but not sure how much.

HTH and please keep us updated.

I should have just got them done in hindsight but the vet was not very forthcoming. Probably spent hundreds feeding him his fancy food for the past couple of years! Poor boy. I just can't figure out what it could be. I thought it was maybe midges but not when it flares up later in the year as they are almost gone. I always frontline him etc and have tried various other brands.
He has a wooden shelf and a plastic dog bed but prefers his shelf.