How Is a Yeast Infection in a Dog Treated?
Using an otoscope, your vet will be able to look at your dogâs ear canal to determine if the eardrum is intact or if anything is present in the ear canal that could be causing the infection. The doctor will probably also take a sample of material from in and around the ear, and examine this under the microscope. It is important to determine whether the infection is caused by yeast, bacteria, or both.
If your dog has a yeast infection of the outer ear canal, the vet might prescribe a topical antifungal ointment or cream. Miconazole and ketoconazole are two antifungal medicines that are often effective.
An infection of the middle ear is treated with systemic medications (meaning tablets or injections), though further tests and even surgery may be needed. It can take up to six weeks for the infection to go away.
Your vet might recommend a full cleaning of the dogâs ear canal. If the problem is chronic, ask about special cleansers and ear-drying solutions that can be used at home.
What Causes Yeast Infection of the Ear?
A dogâs ear canal plunges downward and then towards the head (it is shaped like a âLâ). That gives yeast a favorable environment in which to grow. If your dog swims or is bathed frequently, trapped water or debris in the ear canal can lead to yeast infections. Allergens like pollens, mold, dust, feathers, cigarette smoke, cleaning products, and certain foods can also lead to ear infections in a dog.
A dogs outer ear extends from the outside of the earlobe to the ear drum. An infection in this part of the ear is called otitis externa. An infection in the middle ear — otitis media – typically develops in association with an outer ear infection. Then once the middle ear is infected, the infection can spread to the inner ear, where it will affect the dogs sense of balance and position. An inner ear infection can also cause deafness. Catching and treating an infection early, while its still in the outer ear, will help prevent more serious middle and inner ear infections.
Yeast infections can also show up elsewhere on your dogâs skin. When one does, it causes the skin to become scabby, reddened, or crusty. with a foul odor.
Reduce the Amount of Heavy Metals Your Dog Consumes
Yeast has a high affinity for most heavy metals, especially mercury. These metals generate free radicals that can cause severe health problems.
Since the body cannot remove them on its own, these metals tend to accumulate over time. And a large amount of some heavy metals like mercury, lead, chromium, cadmium, and arsenic can be quite toxic to your dog.
Yeast tends to bind to heavy metals and stop them from getting into the dog’s system, which is good news. However, heavy metals are toxic to competing bacteria. The heavy metals can reduce the population of the competing bacteria resulting in the outgrowth of yeast. Therefore, if you want to stop a yeast infection in dogs, you must reduce the number of heavy metals it consumes. So you can reduce the heavy metals by doing the following: