Yeast Fungus in Cats

In cats, yeast is a type of fungus that can cause infections in a variety of locations. A small amount of yeast is normally present on a cat at any given time. However, yeast is an opportunist that will take advantage, causing overgrowth that leads to an infection.

  1. Types

    • There are two types of yeast that cause infections in cats: candida yeast and malassezia yeast.

    Causes

    • In cats, a yeast overgrowth can be due seborrhea, bacterial or viral infections, allergies, diabetes and narrow ureter tubes.

    Symptoms

    • Symptoms of a feline yeast overgrowth vary based on location and can include itching and scratching at the infection site, hair loss, odor at the infection site, redness, swelling, skin irritation or open sores, fever, feline acne and seborrhea.

    Diagnosis

    • To correctly diagnose the type of yeast overgrowth present, a swab or biopsy of the infected area must be examined and positively identified. This may include cultures along with additional tests such as a physical exam and a urinalysis.

    Treatment

    • Treatment involves treating the yeast infection with topical or oral antifungal medications as well as treating the underlying cause of the yeast infection, such as viral infections or diabetes.