Normally, your dog's body is host to a variety of bacterial visitors, good and bad. Yeast is a single-celled organism that lives in the digestive tract and on the skin of your dog. The two main yeasts that cause gastrointestinal and skin disorders in dogs are Candida albicans and, according to recent studies reported in the "British Veterinary Journal," Malassezia pachydermatis. Symptoms of yeast overgrowth include itchy skin and feet; redness, inflammation and body odor in the underarms, inner thighs and skin folds; gas, bloating and digestive problems; and secondary infections such as bladder or ear infections.
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Balance The Gut
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Yeast overgrowth often occurs after a course of antibiotics. Destruction of the beneficial bacteria in your dog's intestinal tract causes yeast populations to increase rapidly. If your dog has recently been treated for any type of infection, consider supplementing with a probiotic.
The fastest way to control yeast--a bad bacteria--is by adding a probiotic supplement containing good bacteria. When shopping for a dog probiotic, look for a refrigerated product that contains the widest variety of bacterial strains. Probiotics also improve the bioavailability of your dog's food--she'll get more nutritional benefit from her daily rations and build a strong immune system.
Some strains of beneficial bacteria have limited shelf life. When shopping, be sure to check expiration dates on the package.
Improve The Diet
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Low-quality commercial dog foods offer little in the way of nutritional support. Always choose a dog food that contains a named meat as the main ingredient. Foods that contain wheat, soy and corn are highly allergenic to many dogs, and may encourage yeast growth. Also avoid potatoes.
Many dog lovers supplement their dog's diet with fruits and vegetables. Normally, that's a healthy choice but if your dog is battling a yeast overgrowth, the sugars found in fruits and some vegetables like carrots may feed the yeast. Once the yeast condition is brought under control, these foods can be reintroduced.
Bathing and Grooming
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Maintain a regular grooming program. A thorough, deep brushing stimulates the skin and keeps the coat healthy. According to published reports from the Institute of Pharmaceutical Biology, tea tree oil is very effective against the Malassezia pachydermatis fungus. Add several drops to a mild pet shampoo and bathe your dog weekly. A skin soothing spray can be worked into the coat daily as well. Tea tree oil is available in health food stores and many pharmacies.
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