My black Labrador has had dry flaky bits on the top of his

I am sorry to hear that Othello is having skin issues.

Could you send me some photos of his skin? you can attach them directly onto the chat box using the paper clip sign.

I have some general questions about his health:

• How is his appetite?
• Does he drink more water recently or just normal?
• Do you have rabbits at home?
• when did the problem with his tendons start? Was there an injury or did this just start?

Ok thank you for the information.

Lots of things could be causing the dry flaky skin on his back such as:

- Dry skin (from a change in diet/environment/new shampoo/old age/ other condition)

- Parasites e.g. Cheyletiella mites cause dandruff like flakes along the back.

- Endocrine (e.g. diabetes, under active thyroid/hypothroidism))

- Many other conditions.

Do you think he is showing any signs of an uderactive thyroid?

• Lethargy or dull mentation
• Inactivity or unwillingness to exercise
• Weight gain
• Cold intolerance or heat seeking

ok thats good no obvious signs of underachieve thyroid.

Would you say his coat is greasy? or just flakey skin?

Lice are small but can be seen easily on the hair/skin. They aren't that common in dogs, usually only dogs living outside.

Mites such as Cheyletiella mites, also known as walking dandruff. Other mites (sarcoptes, demodex) usually cause hair loss and itching.

I would advise a vet appointment so they could take a sample of hair/flakes to check for mites and lice, and decide best treatment. For example ivermectin injection or stronghold spot on (selamectin) which is not licensed for cheyletiella but is effective against it. A vet would need to discuss a safe dosing schedule for him.

If no mites are found then this is likely a hormonal change causing his skin barrier to not work well. Medicated shampoos are often useful if no parasites are found. For example: DOUXO® S3 SEB Shampoo used twice weekly for 3 weeks, then reduced to once weekly, then reduced again.