Yeast infections in dogs primarily occur on the skin or in the ears. Malassezia pachydermatitis is the organism most often to blame for yeast skin infection in dogs, and skin allergies, untreated cuts or scrapes, thyroid problems and other health conditions can make your dog more vulnerable to infection with these microorganisms. Symptoms of yeast skin infections in dogs include crusty, greasy, or waxy skin and intense itching. An unpleasant odor may be present, and hair loss may occur due to scratching.
Things You'll Need
- Over-the-counter antifungal shampoo
- Over-the-counter antifungal cream
- Baking soda
Instructions
How to Treat a Yeast Skin Infection in a Dog
Visit your veterinarian to confirm that your dog's infection is caused by yeast. Because many other skin conditions can mimic the symptoms of a yeast infection, diagnosis is essential to effective treatment. Your veterinarian will take a sample of skin cells from your dog and examine those cells under a microscope before making a diagnosis.
Bathe your dog with an antifungal shampoo containing ketaconazole. Unless otherwise instructed by your veterinarian, you should wash your dog with medicated shampoo twice a week until symptoms are under control. Let the lather sit on your dog's skin for fifteen to twenty minutes before rinsing.
Treat localized yeast infections with a topical ointment. Do not allow your dog to remove the ointment by licking or rubbing the area. In addition to killing the yeast responsible for your dog's infection, most topical ointments are soothing and will help relieve itching and irritation. Topical ointments are available over the counter and by prescription.
Give your dog oral ketaconazole tablets if he fails to respond to shampoo treatment. The tablets are generally taken every twelve hours for two to four weeks, depending on the size and breed of your dog and the severity of the infection.
Continue giving your dog the tablets even if his yeast infection clears up before the treatment is finished. Stopping the medication early may cause the yeast infection to return. Moreover, a full course of treatment allows your dog to build up some immunity to the infection, thereby decreasing the likelihood of another yeast infection in the future.
Try oral therapy with itraconazole, a drug similar to ketaconazole that is sometimes more effective at treating resistant yeast infections in dogs.
Determine the underlying cause of your dog's infection, and treat that condition while working to eliminate the yeast infection. If your dog's yeast infection is due to an allergy or other skin condition, that condition must be treated to prevent recurrence. Insist that your veterinarian check your dog for hypothyroidism, an often overlooked cause of yeast skin infections in dogs.
Rinse your dog with a solution made of two teaspoons of baking soda and one gallon of warm water. Pour this solution on your dog's skin after bathing to reduce itching.
Use only hypoallergenic shampoos and soaps designed for use in dogs to help treat your dog's infection and to prevent a recurrence. The ASPCA recommends feeding your dog a balanced diet free of artificial ingredients and brushing your dog regularly to remove matted hair and dead skin cells and oil.