The 2nd diagnosis that the Vet made on my Irish Setter was fleas (although I had seen no evidence) . He prescribed medicine that made my dogs blood poisonous to fleas,shampoos, bombs etc. Then a couple diagnoses later it was allergies with a couple rounds of allergy testing. The vet successfully separated me from lots of money, but only the old uneducated lady gave me advice that worked. This dog sounds like it has the same symptoms. The price of Bag Balm would be a very small amount to gamble before laying out the big money. Just one mans opinion.No offense intended to anyone.