What are the clinical signs of a yeast skin infection?
The most common clinical signs of yeast dermatitis are:
How does a dog get a yeast skin infection?
The skin is host to innumerable bacteria and fungi. Under normal circumstances, these organisms do not cause a problem and are kept under control by the immune system. If conditions on the skin change or if the immune system is suppressed, these bacteria and fungi can cause infection. These types of infections are termed opportunistic infections. If the number of yeast organisms on the skin increase, a yeast skin infection results.
A common cause of a yeast skin infection is an increase in the amount of oils produced on the skin. This is most frequently associated with allergic skin disease. Another common cause of excess skin oils is seborrhea oleosa (see handout “Seborrhea in Dogs” for information on this condition).
Some dogs have an immune 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 effectively prevent yeast infections, so may develop a chronic yeast infection.
Yeast dermatitis is not contagious; your dog did not get this infection from another dog. Opportunistic yeast infections often recur unless the underlying allergy or skin condition is controlled.
There are certain breeds thought to be genetically predisposed to developing yeast infections. These breeds include West Highland White Terrier, Basset Hound, Cocker Spaniel, Silky Terrier, Australian Terrier, Maltese Terrier, Chihuahua, Poodle, Shetland Sheepdog, Lhasa Apso, and Dachshund.
Some dogs develop a hypersensitivity to yeast, becoming allergic to an organism they are exposed to all the time. Those dogs have an intense, inflammatory reaction but only a few yeast present on their skin. They will often have frequent recurrences of yeast dermatitis, some starting shortly after treatment is discontinued.
There are several techniques used to collect samples for diagnosing yeast dermatitis:
Most samples can be examined in-clinic under a microscope by a veterinarian or veterinary technician.
If yeast hypersensitivity is suspected, your veterinarian or dermatologist may recommend running blood and/or skin tests to confirm this diagnosis.
Treatment for yeast dermatitis may be topical, oral, or a combination of both, and is based on the severity of your dogs 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 ten minutes. To be effective, this topical treatment is required every 3-5 days for two to twelve weeks. If the infection is in the ears or in only one or two spots on the skin, a topical ointment may be prescribed for daily use.
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 also 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, terbinafine, itraconazole, and fluconazole.
Although these medications are highly effective, they must be given for prolonged periods of time (often several months). Because these drugs have potential side effects, particularly involving the liver, close monitoring with routine blood tests is necessary. If the dog has a relapse of the fungal infection after an initial successful treatment, a higher dose of the antifungal medication will usually be required. Most dogs with advanced or chronic yeast dermatitis are treated with a combination of oral and topical treatment.
Affected dogs may also need medications such as corticosteroids (prednisone), cyclosporine (Atopica), Apoquel, Cytopoint) to relieve inflammation and itch while the anti-fungal therapy is taking effect.
Dogs with yeast hypersensitivity will often have better control of their disease by using immunotherapy. This is used to try to reprogram the dog’s immune system so it does not overreact to this naturally occurring yeast. The treatment may be given by injection under the skin or by oral administration.
Symptoms of Dog Skin Yeast Infections
What does yeast dermatitis look like in dogs? There are a handful of signs and symptoms that could indicate your dog has yeast dermatitis or a yeast ear infection including:
The first symptoms your dog will likely develop include a musty odor accompanied by redness and swelling of the infected area. But these symptoms can quickly progress to the skin becoming and painful. If you notice that your dog is exhibiting any symptoms of a yeast infection call your veterinarian to schedule an appointment for your pup.
Top 3 Steps to Stop the Itching caused by Yeast
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