The Itchies

did they do a scraping for mange mites or other critters???This doesn't sound like a nutrition itch but more of a mite itch

I thought the same as dvet--scrapings need to be done and check for mange

Are any of the HUMANS scratching?  A fine red rash on a human could mean this is sarcoptic mange.  When someone talks about 'itching' FIRST and the sites are all over the body then that makes me think sarcoptic mange.  You may not find that on a scrape (in fact it's doubtful) but typically if they suspect it they treat for it. 
 
Where abouts are you located?  Depending on where it is on the body it could be a bunch of different things.  You say it started on the hip -- where on the hip?  Like at the top at the base of the tail or elsewhere?

No, they didn't do a scrape for mange (I personally don't think it mange is either).  The vet is thinking it's just normal allergies or an allergy to fleas (which, I've seen a grand total of 3 fleas on him since Dec).

Callie,
He doesn't have any red spots on him (he did when I came home, but I think it was because those spots were irritated from him scratching at them so bad).  He usually just scratches on his hip, shoulder & sometimes on the base of his tail.

Darn my post last night didn't 'stick'. 
 
The bad news is it only takes ONE single, solitary flea -- just one -- to bite and die!!  So if you're using Frontline or Advantage and the nasty thing got on the dog, bit him ONCE and then died it can still cause flea allergy dermatitis.  The dog is actually allergic to the flea's 'spit'.  (saliva)  It's a toxin to allergic dogs and it will literally set them up for months and months of agony and sore skin.
 
When it *starts* (and you may not know because the dog likely has had it before this) it is at the base of the tail, and it will creep forward and down the legs -- but in successive times it can pretty much break out anywhere.  It's a sore scabby thing rather than just a pimple or hot spot -- I don't know why flea allergy dermatitis is so 'scabby' but it is.  They'll get scabs where they can't even reach TO bite and itch and scratch.
 
So bottom line you have to keep a good Flea preventive on them, and NOT something like Revolution or Biospot where the flea has to bite TO die.  Frontline or Advantage are as good as it gets for these dogs and can help enormously.
 
And sometimes being proactive and spraying the dogs legs with something *before* you go out (so the fleas are actually repelled -- and an herbal spray can sometimes be wonderful here) so the fleas aren't as likely to jump on.  Just because you don't have fleas in your home/apartment doesn't mean that bush he peed on didn't have one waiting for something warm-blooded to walk by so it could jump on.
 
Real atopic allergies typically wouldn't begin by that age (altho demodectic mange would but the spots are in the wrong spot unless he was majorly infected with demodex before you got him) -- let's hope it's NOT regular allergies -- regular allergies that manifested that badly by that age would be really super bad by the time the dog was mature.  Dog allergies increase as they age, unlike humans who tend to 'grow out of' them.

Romeo is allergic to fleas big time.  Like callie said, one flea will do it.  I was trying to stay away from the chemicals, but gave up so I have him on Advantage because for him the Frontline did not work.  Because he is outside so much I  use a spray on him I buy at [linkhttp://www.quantumherbalproducts.com]www.quantumherbalproducts.com[/link]  click on the link for pets if want to check out. Is all natural, I even use it myself otherwise the mosquitoes would eat me up alive.
 
Contents:Erigeron, Capeput and Rose Geranium oils and concentrates of St. John's Wort, Wormwood, Black Walnut, Neem and Rue.Magnetically infused with color frequency.
 
 
For my apartment,  I  use this product called "Fleabusters" (borate powder)  is a pain to apply, but the good thing is you apply only once a year and it kills any kind of bug you may have by drying up the animal from the inside out.  [linkhttp://www.fleabusters.com]www.fleabusters.com[/link]
 
For the occasional ant bite or whatever else is on the ground.  I keep a water that has been boiled with rosemary, eucalyptus, chamomile, and cloves.  I add a bit of witch hazel to it too.  At night I sponge him down with it, he loves the attention and he smells wonderful too.
 
I know is so frustrating when you see them itching and scratching and biting, and you can't find a solution as fast as you would like to.
 
Good luck.

He doesn't have any scabs, bumps or hot spots.  So I just don't know.  I think I'm going to get some fish oil to give to him & see if that will help even just a little bit.  I really hope that it's not that he's allergic to fleas, but like I said, his skin looks normal.  *sigh*
 
I'm sure his scratching is nothing to be worried about.  I'm just frustrated that the vet put him on steriods right away and when the 1st dose didn't work she wanted to put him on a higher dosage.  GRRRRRRR!!!!

ORIGINAL: melindar

I'm having problems with my 8 month old puppy.  He's always itched from the day we got him (usually on his hip).  I went on vacation and when I came back he had bald spots, and scabs where he had been scratching so much.  For some reason my husband, nor my friends that helped take care of him noticed this (I was only gone 9 days).  I took him to the vet & they gave me Trimeprazine (2mg) which he took for 2 weeks and didn't help.  I asked them the other day what I should do & they suggested that I give him the same thing, but in a higher dosage.  I REALLY don't want to give him it because it has steriods in it. 

He's on Nutro Lamb & Rice formula for adults.  I only give him baths about 3-4 weeks apart with Oatmeal shampoo.  I also give him Frontline Plus each month.  What else I can do to help him?

 
 
my dog has the same itchies and her vet said it is aflea allergy to use frontline & baths 1x a year so far it works, but sometimes we run out of frontline and it starts up again, so in other words keep up with the frontline. ask your vet about underskin allergies.

Just some suggestions, but I would change his food.  Not that it's a bad food, but it could be a food allergy and changing foods is one of the easiest things to do.  I've had good luck with Natural Balance Duck & Potato, but they also make a venison and brown rice and a fish and sweet potato.  It's available at PetCo, so you shouldn't have trouble finding it.  The next thing I'd do is start bathing him at least weekly, if not more.  Use a medicated shampoo (you could even try Selsun Blue) but only use this every other time or so until you see how he does.  For a final rinse, either use 1 part vinegar to 3 parts water (vet recommended this - it balances the ph on the skin) or put several drops of tea tree oil in a pitcher of water and use that as a final rinse.  I'd definitely add some fish oil to the diet.  I use 3V or Derm Caps and I buy the extra strength, but my lab weighs 75 lbs.  If you're not already using (or have tried) Benadryl or the generic, I'd recommend that too.  You can give 1-2 mg per lb up to 3 times per day, and I do think it gives some relief for my allergy dog.   erhaps doing any or all of these things will bring some relief. 
I'm with you regarding the steroids. I realize there are times when they're very necessary, but only as a last resort.

Thank you Cathy I will print out what you sent  and try it, thats like I said we run out of the Frontline and she starts itching like crazy, so once again thank you and I will let you know how it worked out