HOW TO CARE FEED YOUR DOG WHEN THEY HAVE A YEAST INFECTION

Yeast is a fungus that commonly causes ear and skin infections in dogs. There is a lot of misinformation about the role of diet in yeast infections and which foods can help treat or cure these infections. The truth is, for many puppies, the diet has nothing to do with these infections. There are many other important causes and treatments to consider, as well as many effective ways to prevent these infections in the first place.

What is a Yeast Infection in Dogs?

Yeast infections, usually caused by Malassezia, most commonly affect dogs' ears, skin, and/or paws. Yeast is an opportunistic organism, that is, it is present in the environment and is present in small amounts on the skin of all dogs. When the skin's normal protective barrier is compromised, yeast can multiply and cause infection. Common signs of yeast infection in dogs include itching, skin redness, and a distinct odor. Due to an ear infection, your dog may shake his head or pick his ears due to itching and discomfort. When the paws are infected, dogs often lick and chew on the paws, causing the coat to turn brown.

Why Do Yeast Infections Happen in Dogs?

The skin's normal protective barrier doesn't work properly, and there's an underlying cause for a yeast infection. Some of the most common causes of this include skin disorders such as allergies, hormonal imbalances, conditions in the skin that overproduce oil or keratin, and/or a genetic predisposition to oil secretion. Excessive or excessive skin folds. 1 Anything that causes your dog to itchy or brittle, greasy or damp skin can allow the yeast to form and multiply. Some breeds known to have these tendencies include the West Highland White Terrier, Cocker Spaniel, Dachshund, German Shepherd, Shih Tzu, Poodle, and Boxer.

What role does diet play in yeast infections?

There are many false claims that the right diet or supplements can prevent or cure yeast infections in dogs. However, in most cases, this is not true. Yeast is always present in the environment and on the skin of our pets, so what your dog eats won't change that. Some rumors restricting carbohydrates can prevent yeast infections, however, there is no scientific evidence to support this. We also know that some grain-free diet formulas put our puppies at risk for a heart disease called dilated cardiomyopathy, so these should be avoided.

The only situation where diet may play a role is in dogs with allergies to specific foods. In these cases, dietary changes may be necessary to treat the underlying condition that makes the skin more susceptible to yeast infections. Food allergies should be diagnosed by your veterinarian, and your veterinarian recommends a safe, balanced diet to ensure all your puppy's nutritional needs are met. Sometimes this involves experimenting with a diet that eliminates some common dietary pathogens to see if the dog's skin improves over time. This will not cure an existing yeast infection, but it may prevent allergic dogs from developing more yeast infections in the future.

Effective treatment of yeast infections

Treating yeast infections has two goals:

• Directly kills the yeast that causes the infection

• Treat any underlying health problems that may make skin fragile and attractive to yeast

If this is your dog's first yeast infection, your veterinarian may recommend that you just kill the yeast and see if it recurs. However, in dogs with recurrent yeast infections, it is important to do further testing to look for some of these underlying conditions. When appropriate, your veterinarian may recommend blood tests to look for hormonal problems, such as hypothyroidism, as well as allergy testing. Some dogs may also benefit from an evaluation by a professional veterinary dermatologist, who can check for skin allergies and other skin conditions.

When it comes to killing the yeast itself, there are a variety of methods of attack depending on your puppy's circumstances, including:

• Antifungal wipes, lotions, or creams may be prescribed to kill localized infections

• Make an antifungal for the ear if yeast is present in the ears

• Oral antifungals may be prescribed when the infection covers a very large area or cannot be treated topically.

Prevent Yeast Infections

Keeping your puppy's skin and ears healthy is the best way to prevent yeast infections in the first place. This means treating the underlying disease as much as possible and preventing skin irritation from diseases like fleas and other skin parasites.

Flea and tick prophylaxis: Make sure your dog receives flea and tick prophylaxis once a month.

Antifungal and antiseptic shampoos: If your dog is prone to yeast infections due to his breed or a chronic disease that cannot be completely cured, your dog may also benefit from regular baths. Regular use of antifungal shampoos and antiseptics or regular use of antifungals - rub your paws or other skin folds with fungi that are difficult to keep clean and dry.

Ear Cleaners: If your dog suffers from recurring ear infections, there are also specialized ear cleaners with drying agents to help keep the ear canal clean and prevent yeast infections.