Dogs & Yeast Infections

People commonly think of a yeast infection as being a gynecological disorder, but yeast infections can occur in many parts of the body and affect both males and females. Yeast infections also affect pets, including dogs.

  1. What is Yeast?

    • Yeast is a type of fungus that lives on the surface of all living beings. When our immune systems are functioning properly, our bodies are able to keep the amount of yeast in check. When something goes wrong, however, the yeast will multiply and infect skin and mucous membranes. These infections can occur in the mouth, throat, intestines, bladder and genitals.

    Types of Yeast Infections

    • If a dog is scratching relentlessly it may be suffering from the Malassezia form of yeast infection. This type of infection will target the dog's ears, anal sacs, genitals and rectum.

      Candida albicans, another type of yeast infection, is caused by a form of usually harmless yeast that lives in the digestive system. Candida albicans is kept in check by the lactic acid that is present in the pet's digestive tract. If there is an imbalance in the amount of lactic acid, the fungus rapidly multiplies and begins to spread to several parts of the dog's body.

    Symptoms

    • Depending upon the type of yeast involved, symptoms can vary. Usually the dog will have, as a result of scratching, lesions on the skin of the neck, belly and between the toes. The lesions will be red, there will be hair loss and some skin scaliness. Sometimes the sores will appear yellow and greasy and emit an odor.

    Treatment

    • Treatment is based on the underlying cause of the infection. Veterinarians will prescribe oral anti-fungal drugs, anti-bacterial ointments and special shampoos.

      Some people prefer to treat a yeast infection naturally. You can use vinegar and water rinses, as well as certain dandruff shampoos. Feeding a dog plain yogurt for the digestive form of yeast infection is recommended as a natural treatment.

    Prevention/Solution

    • Keeping your dog healthy is the best preventative measure, because yeast infections often occur when the dog's immune system is compromised. If your dog is prone to yeast infections in the ears, it is important to keep them clean and to trim excess hair around the ear to allow more air flow.