Yeast lives on the skin and in the ears of normal healthy dogs. But if something causes the skin environment to change, the yeast can overgrow and cause an infection. Superficial yeast infections aren't contagious, but they can keep recurring.
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Causes
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Frequent swimming can leave moisture in ears and skin folds where yeast can overgrow. An increase in the production of oils (seborrhea), an immune system disorder, or allergies can change skin condition and create favorable environments for yeast to multiply abnormally.
Areas affected
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Yeast organisms like moist, dark areas like ears. Superficial yeast infections can affect parts of the body, like the armpits, feet, muzzle or ears, or they can affect the whole body.
Symptoms
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Superficial yeast infections are extremely itchy. Affected skin may be greasy, reddened, crusty and itchy with a characteristic smell. Dogs with a yeast infection in their ears may shake their heads and have a stinky discharge.
Diagnosis
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Yeast have a very distinctive appearance under a microscope. Some tests used to diagnose superficial yeast infections are impression smears, cytology and skin scraping. Skin biopsy can also be helpful to check for underlying causes.
Treatment
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Anti-yeast shampoos need to be left on the skin for awhile before rinsing. Minor superficial yeast infections can often be treated with topical medications like ear drops, shampoos and creams. More severe infections may require oral anti-yeast drugs. Treatment can take a long time and be very expensive.
Warning
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Cocker Spaniels are predisposed to superficial yeast infections, especially in their ears. Approximately half of dogs with superficial yeast infections have underlying diseases like allergies or immune conditions. Successful treatment requires addressing the underlying cause as well as the superficial infection.
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