Sorry to be posting late in your problem but I would like to relate how Koko was treated. Koko is a Golden/lab mix also. She had the same issues as your dog so we ended up at Auburn University School of Veterinary Medicine. They did all the allergy scratch and blood test that showed her allergic to common things like dust mites etc. She also had a low normal thyroid. When we started her treatment her back was one big crusted scab and dandruff so bad that it filled the brush when we brushed her. She was bald in spots all over her back and tail.

The School came up with an allergy shot that we had to first administer every other day and has now gotten down to once a month. She was on Cephalexin and Prednisone what seemed like and eternity. The first at home treatment was a bi-weekly shampoo in a lime/sulphur concoction that we had to leave on her. She recieved this shampoo twice weekly for a month. Since then I have shampooed her once a week in Virbac Etiderm Shampoo.

I have changed her food to eliminate all corn and beef. She is now on a "Chicken, Rice and Oatmeal" by Nutro.

The Auburn vet elected not to treat her thyroid even though my local Vet was.

She has TOTALLY cleared up and her coat now does not have a single trace of dandruff and no scabs. Every one comments on how shiney and soft her coat is. This time last year it was dry brittle and falling out. Her normally bushy tail was bald in spots.

I guess we were lucky that the Auburn Schools approach has been successful for us. I wish you luck.