Experience with dog yeast infections?

[PlutoPony]

Anyone have experience with reoccurring yeast infections in dogs? Our goofy yellow lab seems to keep getting them on his skin and bottom of the paws as well as the ears (which is more typical). Poor guy is really itchy with it, and drugs take several weeks to knock it out. In addition, Riley has inhaled allergies which we give him allergy shots for (fortunately that's easy - Pavlov was onto something). My problem is that when he hits an itchy stretch I don't know whether it's from the allergies OR yet another skin yeast infection. So I'd like to figure out what we can do to keep the yeast infections from reoccuring - any suggestions?
Riley and I TIA for any help you can give

 

[phillybeth]

What are you feeding him? If possible I would switch to a food with no corn/wheat. He could have a low-level food allergy that is exacerbating the inhalation allergies and causing the yeast infections.
One thing to try in the meantime- did you know that dandruff is caused by yeast? It is. Give him weekly baths with human dandruff shampoo and that will help control the yeast on his skin.

 

[poohlover]

I'd look at his food or what you are bathing him in...sounds like it could be an allergy to something. Check with your vet. We've had lots of ear yeast infections...but no skin.

 

[PlutoPony]

Thanks for the food suggestion - you may be onto something. Need to buy more today so I'll do some homework first. He had a bath yesterday and is super itchy today (so it's the yeast infection at work, not inhaled allergies), and am wondering if his skin's dry now..... will try dandruff shampoo next time. Poor guy, I'm afraid it could be a rough spring - pollen counts are coming up and in another week or so his allergies will really be kicking in
THANKS!
Any other words of wisdom out there??

 

[damo]

Has the vet confirmed that it is yeast? There are natural methods of getting rid of yeast that he can have on a regular basis. Grapefruit seed extract (liquid or pill form) can be administered. It is powerful at killing the candida infection. You can ask a naturopath vet or your local health food store.

Wheat is dog food is a common problem. There are dog foods available for this problem. Ask at the pet store.

Also, dogs can be given antihistamines. You should ask for vet for the correct dosage to help the dog through the rough times.

Lastly, make sure you are using the correct shampoo. Human shampoos aren't good for dogs.

 

[PlutoPony]

Believe the skin yeast infection is a bit more unusual than ear (which all our dogs have had at one time or another). The skin version was diagnosed by our doggie dermatologist not regular vet - he sniffed his back and bottom of paws and detected it by smell. We can pick up on ear infections that way but not skin apparently - guess we'll work on that . Ah the things we learn......

 

[puggymom]

Here is an email I was sent by the rescue group that I got one of my pugs from. Also, both of mine have had these, one on his skin, the other his paws. I didn't use the Dawn, but there is a great shampoo, that the vet can give you. I'm at work right now, but I it started like Keta... something

Here is an excellent link to a web page about yeast infections of the
>> skin. This is one of the best discussions I've seen. One of my
>> fosters, Max, had both yeast and bacterial infections of the skin,
>> and the information on this web page goes along with how he was
>> treated for the yeast. The only thing I would add is that an
>> excellent de-greaser is Blue Dawn dish detergent. If your dog is
>> oily, give a quick shampoo with Blue Dawn (just lather and rinse,
>> don't leave on) before using any medicated shampoos. Blue Dawn is
>> what they use to get the oil off of animals after oil spills.
>>
>> http://www.westiemed.com/malassezia/

 

[PlutoPony]

Puggymom - thank you so much for the link! Love the Blue Dawn idea - how good is that? So it does seem like Riley's inhaled allergies are "intertwined" with the yeast infection of the skin. Oh boy! Fortunately his skin is in good shape - not broken, no hair loss (yet) - we've caught this fairly early. He's on prescription oral Nizrol ($$) and suspect we'll get this round of yeast taken care of in the next few weeks. Guess looking for preventatives is my best bet at this point - will try food first (that's probably the easiest). I'm also interested in the natural alternatives damo suggested - any websites/books that are particularly good on this subject?

THANKS TO YOU ALL!!!!
Riley (and his owner Beth)

 

[Aimeedyan]

It's more than likely a food allergy - try to find a food without corn or wheat in it, and see if that helps some.

I have a floppy eared dog, and he's prone to yeast infections in the ear, and I feed yogurt on a regular basis to help combat that. He loves it anyways, and it's good for him. I also supplement his diet with flaxseed oil, sweet potato, pumpkin, veggies, egg, etc to keep him going strong, in addition to a really high quality food (Natural Balance). Natural Balance has some great foods for dogs with allergies, like fish, potato, duck, and rice formulas. They are relatively inexpensive, and easily found at PetCo.

 

[PlutoPony]

Thanks again to all who have replied! Spent some time at pet supply store and found a few choices of dog food w/o corn and wheat - but not very many (as you already know). Ended up with Natures Recipe Healthy Skin (venison meal and rice) and will work that into his diet. Fortunately Riley doesn't really care what he eats since it's gone in 30 seconds so don't anticipate any problems there. Didn't see Natural Balance line. Wonder if we have a naturopath vet around here.....
Uh, hate to ask, but are talking about similar prevention remedies for doggie yeast as for women ? Hence yogurt, etc.?

 

[DisneyDmbNut]

It's more than likely a food allergy - try to find a food without corn or wheat in it, and see if that helps some.

I have a floppy eared dog, and he's prone to yeast infections in the ear, and I feed yogurt on a regular basis to help combat that. .

I was going to recommed yogurt too...I use to work for OB/GYN and we always told patients that had yeast problems to eat lots of yogurt...I was in the hospital once on huge amounts of antibiotics and my Dr. wrote an order that I was to have yogurt on my food tray each meal to prevent yeast.