I would definitely ask your vet to do a skin scrape and send it out to a lab. Lots of things could cause what you describe, but my guess would be one of three. 1. Mange/scabbies. This is generally treated with an injection of Ivermectin by the vet. You will also need to launder/scrub/disinfect every surface they have touched. This is highly contagious, and every animal in your home will need to be treated. PS--you can also get scabbies, you might need to treat yourself too, see your personal doctor. 2. Kidney problems. I don't know why the relationship exists, but have been told by a vet that skin problems as you describe are often a sign of kidney problems. Generally you'll need to do a blood and urine test to rule this out. 3. Blowing a coat and scratching themselves raw. This is very unlikely, I would investigate the other options first. Anne [Posted in FML issue 3130]