Dog Yeast Infection
Fungal and Yeast Infections in Dogs Skin diseases are common in dogs, and many such diseases fall into one of three categories: Fungal infections, yeast infections or fungus/yeast infections. These are almost never fatal, but they are sometimes chronic - so it's wise to keep an eye out for symptoms that may indicate your dog is infected. Candida Albicans is a fungus/yeast and a common microorganism that lives in the gut of a humans and dogs. But when there is an "overgrowth" of this fungus/yeast in the gut, it is called a Systemic Yeast Infection, and it affects the health and well-being of the whole animal or human. When the pH balance of the gut is out of balance, and beneficial bacteria in the gut have been destroyed, this insidious fungus and pathogenic bacteria can take over and the negative results are very detrimental to our health and well-being. One of those by products of a pH imbalance in the gut is bloat/torsion. What causes the pH balance of the gut to be out of balance and cause fungus/yeast overgrowth? - Overuse
of antibiotics - killing off good bacteria in the gut The result of this yeast/fungus overgrowth manifests itself in external and internal expressions of disease. Based on clinical and research studies, Candida overgrowth in the intestines will create what has been called as "leaky gut" syndrome. Toxins and food allergens may pass through this membrane and go to other parts of the body, making him feel generally sick all over. Since antibiotics don't affect Candida yeast/fungus, they keep on multiplying and making more yeast, which in turn, puts out more toxins and weakens the immune system. It is a vicious cycle. Some examples of "external" expression of a systemic yeast infection are: Skin Irritation Redness,
Inflammation and Odor Reoccurring
Secondary Bacterial Infections You can see by this list of symptoms the animal is often misdiagnosed as having a food or contact allergy, or only a bacterial infection, when in fact the origin of the disease is yeast/fungus overgrowth. Some examples
of "internal" expression of a systemic yeast infection are: Other facts
about Candida overgrowth - Systemic Yeast Infections: When pH balance of the gut is out of balance, an environment is ripe for pathogenic bacteria and fungus to multiply at an alarming rate. The by-products of bacteria and fungus produce "toxins." These can result in systemic disease, as well as bloat, stomach gas and foam.
Feed a high quality based diet. Use a metabolic enzyme (Nzymes) to detoxify the body. Use probiotics/digestive and dietary enzymes to keep the pH balance of the stomach in proper balance. This in turn helps prevent yeast overgrowth. Use raw apple cider vinegar or lemon juice - 2 teaspoons per day on food or in water, to help keep the pH balance where it should be in the gut and make an environment, which is not conducive to yeast proliferation. Use Oxy-drops in drinking water or on food, to keep fungus and pathogenic bacteria overgrowth in check. If you using a combination of Oxy-Drops and Raw Apple Cider Vinegar, vets usually suggest using the Apple Cider Vinegar in the water, and the Oxy-Drops diluted solution (1 drop per 20 lb.) mixed with some water and added on the food so they don't cancel out each others benefits. One is alkaline the other acidic so they can't be put in their water or food at the same time. Control Fungus Externally: 1. Bathe
in sulfur-based or medicated shampoo Always consult with your veterinarian for his recommendations.
Hair loss,
usually in circular patches If your dog develops these symptoms, take him to his veterinarian right away. If your vet suspects ringworm, he will probably run a Wood's Lamp Test (using an ultraviolet light), or take a fungal culture. Typically, treatment includes: Trimming or shaving the hair around affected areas, using fungicidal shampoos for bathing the dog, applying a topical antifungal medication, and lime sulphur dips Ringworm
is quite contagious to both animals and humans, with children being especially
vulnerable. Dogs with ringworm must be kept away from children and other
pets until the infection is gone. (This may two or three months, or longer.)
Adults should wash their hands well after handling a dog with ringworm. The fungus may enter your dog through wounds, or it may be inhaled. As the fungus begins to thrive in the dog's body, it spreads to the lungs, the vascular system, or to the lymph nodes. Symptoms of blastomycosis include: Weight loss, chronic coughing, loss of muscle tone, shortness of breath, skin lesions, red eyes, swollen eyes, excessive tearing of the eyes, and clouding of the corneas If you dog has any of the above symptoms, you should immediately take him to the vet. There is no cure without treatment, and the earlier your dog is treated, the better his chances are for a healthy recovery. Without treatment, your dog may go blind, or have other serious, life threatening problems. Treatment includes drug therapy, and may require several short hospitalizations. Do not be alarmed if your dog's symptoms worsen at first; when the fungus begins to die inflammation is common, and this can make the symptoms appear stronger. When your dog comes home after treatment, his diet should consist of high-quality food only, and you should restrict his exercise until he is completely well. Humans may also become infected by blastomycosis. When handling your infected dog, wear gloves and wash your hands frequently. (However, humans are much more likely to become infected by an environment contaminated by the fungi.)
Symptoms include: A harsh cough, fever, lethargy, lack of appetite, and seizures This fungus is difficult to diagnoses and is sometimes mistaken for other fungal diseases, cancer, pneumonia, cancer, or Lyme disease. If your vet suspects Valley Fever, blood tests, x-rays, or antibody testing may be used to help diagnose the disease.
Aspergillosis, which usually affects the nasal cavity and respiratory system, before attacking the rest of the body. Dogs with long noses are most susceptible. Symptoms may include open sores around the nostrils, bloody or puss-filled nasal discharge, weight loss, fever, lethargy, and vomiting. Cryptococcosis is usually inhaled from the excrement of birds (particularly pigeons), and tends to invade dogs' nervous systems. Symptoms include weight loss, lethargy, head tilting, and eyes that dart back and forth. Histoplasmosis is caused by breathing in Histoplasma capsulatum, which is carried in dust. Symptoms may include labored breathing, fever, anemia, and enlarged liver or other organs.
In addition, some breeds are more inclined toward yeast infections, including West Highland White Terrier, Basset hound, Cocker spaniel, Silky terrier, Australian terrier, Maltese, Chihuahua, Poodle, Shetland sheepdog, Lhasa Apso, and the Dachshund. Also, any dog with skin allergies, an under-active thyroid gland, hypothyroidism, diabetes, or who's had recent treatment with an antibiotic or corticosteroid, may be more prone to develop a yeast infection. Symptoms of a yeast infection may include: Greasy or waxy skin, smelly skin, a white tongue, hives or rashes, chronic infections, chronic cough, crusty skin, and discharge from the eyes, nose or ears. If your dog shows any of these symptoms, he should see his vet right away. Since these symptoms are general, and may be grounded in other problems, the veterinarian will probably try to rule out other possible causes. Your vet may also take a sample of the yeast on your dog's skin (with a cotton swab or piece of tape, for example), or do a small biopsy and study it under a microscope. Treatment often includes treatment of underlying problems (like allergies or a thyroid problem), topical shampoo or spray, and oral medications.
Yeast infections are most common in dogs that love water (Labradors, Retrievers), have long floppy ears (Bassets, Beagles, Spaniels), have either narrow and/or furry ear canals (Poodles, Cocker Spaniels), or have a history of ear infections or allergies. Symptoms include: The inside of his ears will appear red and irritated; he will shake his head and scratch at his ears almost constantly, sometimes to the point of bleeding; a foul odor will emanate from the inside of his ears; and he may whine, pace, or even stop eating because of the pain and irritation. Serious injury or permanent damage may occur to the ears if an ear infection is left untreated. Prevention and early treatment are the keys. In principle, yeast are easy to kill if you keep in mind that they hate dry, acidic environments. If you keep your dog's inner ears dry and clean by using an acidic type cleaning solution made for dog's ears, you will make the ear environment very uninviting to yeast. Acidic cleaning solutions are available from your veterinarian. It is also common to see a bacterial infection associated with a severe yeast infection. Unfortunately, routine ear cleaning will not cure a serious bacterial infection. Such double infections occur when yeast infections are not treated in their early stages. It is more difficult and expensive to cure this double infection. Your dog may also have underlying problems such as allergies and hypothyroidism that can add to the seriousness of an ear infection. If you see no improvement in your dog's ears within 72 hours after you start cleaning them, make an appointment to see your veterinarian as soon as possible. You dog may need other medications to clear up the infections. If severe irritation or a creamy discharge is noticed, see your veterinarian right away. Ear infections can be very painful for your dog but they can be avoided with a little help from you. For pets with itchy skin from yeast infections, use a Baking Soda rinse alone or after shampooing your pets body with the appropriate pet shampoo for fungus infections (see vet). It will be quite helpful with the overall itchiness, skin problems and inflammation. Ask your veterinarian for his recommendations. Baking Soda
Recipe: Mix 1 teaspoon of Oxy-Drops + 1 cup of distilled water and use it to wash out ears (2 x a day) and to spray on itchy skin (2 x a day) or more until there is relief.
If you suspect your dog may have a fungal infection or yeast infection, it's important to give your veterinarian a history of where your dog has been, and what led up to the first symptoms that you noticed. Sometimes such histories need to go back as far as six or seven months. Explaining your dog's habits may also be important. For example, if your pet tends to paw and dig at gopher holes, this can be vital information for your vet to know. So, with a vigilant eye and a little sensitivity toward any discomforts your pet may be feeling, you can keep not only your "best friend" healthy, but your family and your other pets fit and well, too.
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