Some time ago we had a lot of trouble with our bitch, Tara, breaking out in lumps along her spine, which were then spreading downwards on her torso.

We went to the vets. when they first appeared to see if it was insect or mite infestations, as she had been seen rolling about on top of a dead mouse, which she then ate, Yuck!. But we were told no.

By now she also had spots on her chest and we thought it could be a reaction to the weed killers that the Council spread everywhere – that was ruled out. We thought it could be midge bites or pollen from cut grass – No! Anything could have been the culprit. The lumps would come and go, getting worse each time they came back. The vet put Tara on antihistamines (Piriton), still lumps, then a course of steroids, the lumps went away. When the steroids were finished the lumps came back, as bad as ever. We were at our wits end!

I started to keep a daily written log of everything that Tara came into contact with on walks and in the house, her food and treats, absolutely everything was noted down and I also noted any changes in the lumps. This went on for weeks.

It was soon established that some treats would make the lumps worse and any form of pasta made it really bad. So these things were eliminated from her diet. Still the lumps kept coming and going.

Then my husband Gary went away to England for a long weekend. Tara was looking great - no lumps. When Gary came back he had a shower, used his spray deodorant and went to bed. The next day Tara’s lumps were the worst we had seen them – No, it wasn’t Gary she was allergic to – but the spray deodorant. Now we all use roll-on deodorants and Tara’s lumps have stayed away.

As well as the lumps we also found that Tara had large flakes of dry skin which kept falling off her.

By trial and error we have now established that there were several things acting on Tara at the same time and only by keeping the daily log, and a bit of luck in Gary going away for the long weekend, were we able to establish the causes of her problems – boiled eggs caused the skin problem, spray deodorants, pasta (wheat based product), and certain supermarket treats (Cereal based) were causing her lumps.

Tara is now fed on James Wellbeloved Lamb ‘n’ Rice complete, which is hypoallergenic and for treats she gets James Wellbeloved Lamb Crackerjacks or sometimes a bit of grilled lamb’s liver and even a bit of raw carrot. I can’t even make her any liver cake now, as flour (wheat) and eggs are needed to make it.

So if you find yourself in this situation, you might want to try the above. I can now happily report that Tara does not need antihistamines or steroids.

Sandra & Gary McCabe.