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Is your dog itching excessively? Do you notice an odor coming from their ears? These symptoms might be more than just an annoyance; they could indicate a yeast infection and understanding this can help your dog find relief.
Yeast infections are a common issue in dogs. This fungus found on our dog’s skin, Malassezia pachydermatis, is a normal inhabitant of the skin and ear canals but should be present in moderation alongside normal bacterial flora. Certain conditions can predispose this naturally present organism to flourish to the point of a skin or ear infection. When treating a yeast infection, it is essential to manage the suspected underlying cause to completely resolve the yeast infection and prevent recurrence.
Causes of Yeast Infections on Dog’s Skin
There are various causes for skin yeast infections in dogs ranging from underlying health issues to the use of certain medications to hygiene issues.
Allergies: Allergies, whether to food, flea saliva or environmental allergens, are the most common cause of yeast infections in dogs. Allergies lead to skin inflammation and itchiness which disrupt the skin’s natural barrier. This inflammation allows yeast and bacteria to overgrow on the skin and in the ear canals and can lead to other skin issues like dog hot spots.
Hygiene: Yeast thrives in dark and moist environments. Keeping your pup clean, dry and well-trimmed can help combat yeast overgrowth on the skin. Certain breeds like Bulldogs or Shar-Pei who have deep skin folds are more prone to yeast overgrowth and skin fold dermatitis in these areas. Overweight pets may develop skin folds prone to yeast overgrowth as well.
Medications Use: Certain medications can predispose a patient to yeast infections. Antibiotics can disrupt the skin’s balanced microbiome. Killing off the healthy skin bacteria may allow yeast to thrive as it is no longer competing for resources. Additionally, immunosuppressive medications like steroids or cyclosporine can lower the skin’s natural defenses allowing bacteria and fungi to overgrow.
Health Issues: Certain disorders can cause immunosuppression in your pet. Your pet’s immune system is valuable to keeping the skin’s microbiome of bacteria and yeast in check. When not functioning properly, these organisms can flourish. Hormonal imbalances, such as those seen with Cushing’s disease or hypothyroidism can also reduce the skin’s protective barrier and lead to fungal dermatitis in dogs.
Symptoms and Signs of Dog Yeast Dermatitis
Usually, a dog with a yeast infection will have itchy, red, and irritated skin. Your pup may be frequently licking the area depending on the location. In chronic cases, the skin may become rougher and darker in color. In cases of ear infections, the ear canal may also be very red and inflamed, often with dark brown debris. Yeast infections can be odorous with some owners describing the smell as musty or similar to corn chips.
If you suspect a yeast infection, it is important to seek veterinary help for proper diagnosis and treatment. Remember that there is typically an underlying cause so figuring out why your dog has the infection in the first place is essential to quick and successful resolution. You vet will examine your pet and likely look at a sample of your dog’s skin or ear canals under the microscope to confirm an abundance of yeast. Blood tests may be recommended to rule out underlying health issues.
How to Treat Yeast Dermatitis in Dogs
Treatment for yeast infections involves using anti-fungal therapy, as well as managing the underlying cause of the infection. The location and severity of infection will dictate what treatment your vet recommends. For localized, mild infections and ear infections, topical treatment is often used and may involve ointments, sprays, or medicated shampoos. For widespread, deeper infections, your vet may prescribe oral anti-fungal medications like ketoconazole or fluconazole.
Depending on the underlying cause, other recommendations may be made such as starting allergy medications like Apoquel, making a diet change to avoid food allergens, applying parasite prevention, treating metabolic disease, or improving hygiene methods.
Prevention of Yeast Dermatitis
Prevention of yeast infections in dogs stems from managing the underlying cause. Pets with allergies often need seasonal medications to help with inflammation or can benefit from starting immunotherapy to desensitize their immune system to their allergens. Health issues, like immune system disorders, hypothyroidism or Cushing’s disease must be treated if present.
Improving hygiene can help as well. Regular grooming not only helps keep the skin healthy but also offers owners an opportunity to really examine the skin and catch skin issues early. For pets with extra skin folds, wiping these folds out with anti-microbial wipes can help reduce overgrowth of both bacteria and yeast.
Malassezia Dermatitis Prognosis and Management
The good news is with a diligent owner and identification of the underlying cause, yeast infections can typically be cured, but often times that underlying cause requires more chronic management to keep the yeast at bay.
Although yeast dermatitis is highly treatable, the cost to diagnose a yeast infection and, more importantly, to identify and manage its underlying cause can add up quickly, especially for pets with chronic health issues. Diagnostic tests, allergy testing, ongoing medications, and specialized diets can create a significant financial burden.
A simple skin cytology (microscopic examination of a superficial skin sample) to confirm a yeast infection might cost $50-$100. However, determining the cause of the infection can involve more extensive and expensive testing. Allergy testing, whether intradermal (skin testing) or serum (blood testing), can range from $200 to $500 or more. For pets with environmental allergies, immunotherapy is often recommended.
These ongoing monthly allergy shots or oral drops can range from $50-$150 per month. Additionally, treatment of the yeast infection itself might include medicated shampoos ($20-$50 per bottle), topical creams or ointments ($15-$30 per tube), and oral antifungal medications ($30-$100 per month, depending on the dog's size and medication). As you can see, these costs can accumulate rapidly.
This is where pet health insurance for dogs comes in. It helps you manage the often-unexpected costs of veterinary care, from diagnostic tests to treatments. Embrace offers comprehensive coverage for your pet in instances of injury or illness. It is essential to obtain pet insurance at adoption before the development of issues like yeast infections to ensure they are covered and not considered pre-existing conditions.
Skin Yeast Infections in Dogs
As loving pet owners, we all want the best for our furry companions. Recognizing the signs of yeast dermatitis early is a crucial step in ensuring their comfort and well-being. By staying vigilant and working closely with your veterinarian to identify and address the underlying cause, you’re not just treating a yeast infection, you’re taking a proactive approach to your dog’s long-term health. With a little knowledge and care, you can help your dog live a happier, itch-free life.