How To Treat Skin Yeast In Dogs

What is yeast dermatitis?

Yeast dermatitis or Malassezia dermatitis is acquired by the fungus Malassezia pachydermatis. It is an extremely common cause of skin disease in dogs. This yeast is usually found on the peel, but its abnormal overgrowth tin cause dermatitis, or inflammation of the pare.

What are the clinical signs of a yeast skin infection?

The most common clinical signs of yeast dermatitis are:

itching and redness
musty olfactory property
scales and crusty, flaky skin
thickened skin ('elephant skin')
hyperpigmentation (darkly pigmented skin)
chronic or recurrent otitis externa or ear infections

How does a canis familiaris become a yeast skin infection?

The peel is host to innumerable bacteria and fungi. Nether normal circumstances, these organisms exercise not crusade a problem and are kept nether control by the immune system. If conditions on the skin change or if the allowed system is suppressed, these bacteria and fungi can crusade infection. These types of infections are termed opportunistic infections. If the number of yeast organisms on the skin increment, a yeast skin infection results.

"Yeast dermatitis is not contagious."

A common cause of a yeast skin infection is an increase in the amount of oils produced on the skin. This is nigh oft associated with allergic pare disease. Another common cause of excess skin oils is seborrhea oleosa (meet handout "Seborrhea in Dogs" for information on this condition).

Some dogs have an allowed deficiency making them ineffective at fighting yeast infections resulting in chronic infection. Dogs that receive immunosuppressive drugs such as corticosteroids (steroids) may also be unable to finer prevent yeast infections, and then may develop a chronic yeast infection.

Yeast dermatitis is non contagious; your domestic dog did not get this infection from some other canis familiaris. Opportunistic yeast infections oft recur unless the underlying allergy or pare condition is controlled.

In that location are certain breeds thought to be genetically predisposed to developing yeast infections. These breeds include W Highland White Terrier, Basset Hound, Cocker Spaniel, Silky Terrier, Australian Terrier, Maltese Terrier, Chihuahua, Poodle, Shetland Sheepdog, Lhasa Apso, and Dachshund.

How is yeast dermatitis diagnosed?

In that location are several techniques used to collect samples for diagnosing yeast dermatitis: yeast_dermatitis_samples_collections_2018-01

Skin scraping - scraping the skin with a blade to collect yeast organisms
Impression smear - pressing a microscope slide on the peel to collect yeast organisms.
Cotton swab sample - rubbing a moistened swab on the pare to collect yeast organisms.
Acetate tape preparations - applying a piece of clear tape to the skin to collect yeast organisms.
Skin biopsy - obtaining a pocket-sized slice of skin with a biopsy punch. This is the most invasive diagnostic exam, but provides the nigh complete diagnostic information.

Once the sample is obtained, it is examined by a veterinarian pathologist nether the microscope.

How is yeast dermatitis treated?

Treatment for yeast dermatitis may be topical, oral, or a combination of both, and is based on the severity of your dog's condition.

Topical treatment. Treatment with medicated shampoos is a vital part of treating yeast dermatitis. Many dogs with greasy or oily skin will require an initial 'degreasing' cleansing with a shampoo containing selenium sulfide or benzoyl peroxide. After the initial bathing is complete, bathing with an anti-fungal shampoo containing chlorhexidine, miconazole, or ketoconazole is performed. It is important the anti-fungal shampoo remain in contact with the skin for at least x minutes. To be effective, this topical treatment is required every iii-five days for 2 to twelve weeks. If the infection is in the ears or in but ane or 2 spots on the skin, a topical ointment may be prescribed for daily utilize.

Oral treatment. In more severe, chronic, or persistent cases of yeast dermatitis, the use of oral or systemic anti-fungal medications is often required. Many dogs with yeast dermatitis will too have a bacterial skin infection (pyoderma) and will require antibiotics to treat the bacterial infection for typically four to twelve weeks. Oral anti-fungal medications include ketoconazole, itraconazole, and fluconazole.

Although these medications are highly effective, they must be given for prolonged periods of fourth dimension (often several months). Because these drugs have potential side effects, particularly involving the liver, shut monitoring with routine claret tests is necessary. If the dog has a relapse of the fungal infection after an initial successful treatment, a college dose of the antifungal medication will ordinarily be required. Most dogs with avant-garde or chronic yeast dermatitis are treated with a combination of oral and topical treatment.

What is the prognosis for yeast dermatitis?

The prognosis for yeast dermatitis is generally good. While the condition commonly requires long-term treatment, the bulk of cases answer favorably and the itching is reduced within a week of beginning therapy.

"In cases with underlying allergies or allowed compromise, the prognosis is based on the ability to control those conditions."

In cases with underlying allergies or allowed compromise, the prognosis is based on the ability to control those conditions. It is non uncommon for dogs with severe skin allergies to have recurrent secondary yeast or bacterial peel infections, sometimes 2 or three times a twelvemonth. Your veterinary will discuss a diagnostic and treatment plan for your dog to assist yous manage this status.