04/17/2013: Sahar from San Pedro, Ca: "Systematic Yeast Infection in my dog: HELP!

Hello, Where do I start?? I thought that my soon-to-be 7 yr. old beagle, Sophie, has suffered with allergies the past couple of years. About 9 months ago, these 'allergies' went off the deep end! Chewing at her paws, licking her paws, butt scooting on the carpet/cement/anywhere, scratching her ears and face, and on and on. It got so bad, that she has the 'cone of shame' on when I cannot watch her... This is no life for her!! It wasn't until I got to the internet and started to do some research, did I come to the conclusion that maybe she has a systematic yeast infection (SYI)! Maybe she also has allergies... most likely to chicken (I think).

Her vet has never even mentioned the possiblitly of her having a SYI. It's always she has allergies to something... Give her steroids, antibiotics, benadryl. We tried an elimination diet with Hills Pet Food Z/D for 3 months... and the minute the cone was off she would want to chew her feet raw! Vicous cycle that would go on and on and is still going on and on.

I put her on Orijen's Six Fish 'grain-free' dog food, only to later find out that potatoes and sweet potatoes are a no-no for yeasty dogs. A month later, I changed her to a 'grain-free' Kangaroo and Lentils food (just in case she is allergic to the chicken, beef, etc. ). I have added organic coconut oil (2 Tbl) a day to her food, and have added 2 Teaspoons of ACV. She was having loose stools, so I added 3 Tbl of canned Pumpkin (not the pie filling type). I recently got the Total-Zymes and the Total-Biotics and have added that to her regimen as well.

I dip her feet in a mixture of water/white vinegar/hydrogen peroxide and pat dry twice a day. I spray this mixture on her privates and belly where it gets pinkish/redish at night. I tried ACV/Water for her ears, but found Zymox and use that now. She still has the cone, and somehow still manages to get to her back paws sometimes and chews them red :( I use Vetericin spray to heal them.

I am seeing like a flemish-mucus lining in her poop in the mornings. Her stools are still soft. Is there anything else I should be doing? Maybe it's the food? I have looked and looked for a new food that is made with fish with NO grains/potatoes/tapioca/carrots/etc. that are not good for yeast, but can't find anything that is 100% grain-starch free... any recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

She is bathed weekly with an allergy shampoo from the vet. She is going to get a full panel thyroid test from Dr. Dodds next week. I have ordered collustrom (sp?), liquid collidal silver for dogs, and a detoxifyer liquid for dogs from all the research.

Do they get worse before getting better? Her paws that I dip twice a day were brownish before, and now getting pinkish-brownish. She itches on top of her paws like crazy when I pat-dry them after her rinse. I want comfort for her and for me! I am overwhelmed and exhausted... And poor Sophie is miserable. Please, anything you have done for your pets with similar issues would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you!"

04/19/2013: Wendy from Columbus, Oh replies: "So sorry to hear about your beagle! A few things:

1. 2 tablespoons (2 Tbl) is WAY too much coconut oil. This is why she had loose stools afterwards.

2. Go really simple with her food and stay with this for awhile. Try Taste of the Wild Pacific Stream (Salmon). It's grain-free. Only give her this food (no treats, no extras for awhile) and add the 2 teaspoons of organic ACV to the food and mix it all up. You could also add 1 teaspoon of the virgin coconut oil.

2. The water/white vinegar/hydrogen peroxide mixture, I think, is too drying. White vinegar basically does nothing. I'd soak her feet in diluted organic Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV). No hydrogen peroxide. You can also spray her tummy with this same diluted organic ACV. Remember, if she has open sores, DO NOT use the ACV because it will STING! The open sores need to be healed with antibiotics first (from your vet). Then the ACV is used as more of a preventative.

You could also add 1 tablespoon of good-quality (greek) yogurt to her food. Make sure it's PLAIN yogurt, no sugar!"

04/19/2013: Sahar from San Pedro, Ca replies: "Thank you, Wendy for the reply and info! I looked into Taste of the Wild Pacific Stream Formula, but because it contains egg, potato starch, sweet potatoes, potatoes - I opted for something else.

Thank you for the tip regarding the virgin coconut oil, I will cut back to only 1.

The water/white vinegar/peroxide mix I found online from Dr. Karen Becker http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gl_X1I1GJ1Q"

[YEA]  09/24/2007: DOMINIQUE from New Orleans, Louisiana: "My dog Serious had puppies this year in July. During the final weeks of her pregnancy she developed what appeared to be a combination of mange and earmites. Her coat was scaly, she had large and small red bumps all over her skin, she was loosing her hair and her ears were filled with a black oily substance plus she was loosing weight and just looking and smelling aweful. I wrote to Ted who told me to use his mange formula plus to give her magnesium to help her gain her normal PH balance.

Here's what I did. Topically I used Ted's mange formula once every 3 days. I put Serious on a 100% raw diet of raw ground beef mixed with magnesium, 1000 Vitamin C (Ester C), 1000iu of Vitamin E, 2 Burdock Root capsules (to cleanse her blood) and one clove of fresh raw garlic (chopped very fine). Plus, she got at least 2 to 4 hours of bright sunlight a day. She has made a full recovery just 2 weeks on the formula. I saw results immediately. All of her hair has grown back. The bumps have gone away. Her ears are completely clean and she has gained her body weight back. I hope you all find this helpful. Our pets are part of the family. God Bless!"

[BETTER BUT NOT CURED]  01/07/2009: Lance from Westville , Nova Scotia/Canada replies: "My dog a rottie has a bad yeast infection. the vet had him on meds and he was fine while he was on them but then it returned along with the itch. i used a formula of 1-500ml bottle of hrdrogen peroxide 3% and 2-500ml bottles of water with 3 Tbsp of borax for a wash using this every day for 4 days spraying it on and letting it dry.

I also added 1/8 tsp borax and1/4 tsp baking soda to 1 litre of his drinking water for 3 days. His skin seems better but he is scratching constantly and now is waking up in the middle of the night to scratch. What else can I do? I having a hard time finding copper chloride but am not quite sure of the solution you provided. I find it hard to understand when you use % instead of a measurement and do you mix the copper and zinc and vinegar with water for a spray or is it a paste. But what would be a good alternative? his itch is very bad. Look forward to feedback soon.

Lance"

01/07/2009: Gina from Iuka, Ms replies: "I have a yorkie who had problems with yeast. I have finally gotten the problem under control. Yeast cream that women use (monistat) works for the skin itching. His ears were also inflammed and I mix half white vinger, half water and dropped in each ear then the yeast cream rubbed in ear for seven days. I also read on Earth Clinic women are using plain yogurt for yeast. You might could try rubbing it on the skin. If this doesnt work there is a website EntirelyPets.com that sales (Malaseb) an antibacterial/antifungal shampoo that work great. Yeast is yeast whether animal or human read about yeast infections on Earth Clinic if one doesnt work maybe another will. Good Luck"

[YEA]  09/14/2008: Shelagh from Palm Beach Gardens, Florida: "Hi... I have a friend with an absurd little dog who keeps developing yeast infections on his underside. I made a mixture of turmeric & corn starch (50/50) and we use a powder puff to dust him from pits to his nether regions. When my friend remembers to do this, he's fine. She's a nurse & it's not easy for her to think outside the AMA box. I have also added clove powder to remedy the itch. One caveat: this stuff will stain light fur for a day or so, as well as upholstery, so I recommend dusting pets outdoors & playing with them for a while to allow the loose powder to fluff off naturally."

[YEA]  06/04/2011: Annette from Barceloneta, Puerto Rico: "Hello I was reading the comments posted in the site because my two dogs, both females came with a yeast infection which I noticed last night. In both females their groin area became pale and moist and had some gray markings in the skin and some sort of fungus film to it. They have been scratching and biting their paws and under the armpits and showing some brown stuff inside the ears. After reading the comments I realized it is yeast and since I'm out of ACV at the moment I decided to try a 50-50 solution of white vinegar and water and rub the areas where I saw most signs of yeast and hair loss with a cotton. I cleaned inside their ears as well.

Last night my golden Bonnie had her ears hot and red and today her ears and all the areas I applied the white vinegar solution (specially the paw pads and between toes) are pink and not red like last night. Maybe it would have work the same with the ACV but the white vinegar works too. I am a believer. Bonnie and Dulce are not scratching so much today and I decided to go ahead and spray the mixture all over their bodies with a bottle to let it dry. They look so much better overall, less anxious and since they lick a little they are also ingesting some which I believe is good. As for the food I am transitioning them to Wellness Complete Health Chicken from Pedigree (thanks to the new petsmart stores in PR) and the coat improvement is noticeable already. Im going to keep using the 50-50 vinegar solution and start adding the acidophilus capsules and organic yogurt supplements today( I didn't know those could help so thanks! ). If there's improvement I will update with the results.

Take care and hope we can all solve this problem to make our furry babies feel better."

04/11/2011: Kj from Gilcrest, Co, Usa replies: "I'm afraid to do this, as my doxy Lucy has a couple open and raw spots on her feet. Her ears are also raw, swollen and bloody. I can't see using vinegar as it would burn like heck. Do you dilute the vinegar any, for bathing?

Thanks in advance -
KJ"

04/12/2011: 5 Pooches Home from Houston, Tx replies: "Don't worry no need to use vinegar if you can't. Just get:-

1. NEEM OIL (from health store or Indian store)

2. COCONUT OIL (Good quality only plz! ) (Also from health store or Indian store)

For feeding:- Give her 4 BIG tablespoons of coconut oil each day. Will start healing the skin inside out!

For application:- Massage 3 times (morning, evening and night) a mix of neem oil and coconut oil.

Feed her homemade diet and put Apple Cider Vinegar in her food.

Good luck!"

01/12/2009: Janice from Coloma, Mi replies: "Go to the web-site NZMES.COM and read about yeast infections in dogs and cats. I used them on my Lab and they worked well."

[YEA]  01/13/2009: Dianna from Austin, Tx replies: "i have had VERY good luck with washing my dog and afterwards pouring straight white vinegar on and letting it sit and then rinsing. afterwards i pour on a dilute vinegar mixture and let stay. immediately i saw results and only had to do this a few times and then never again. i do use grandpa's pine tar soap to bathe my dogs too. make sure you get the soap and then afterwards the vinegar everywhere including their paws - you might want to use a bowl for the paws or you could use a spray bottle. for maintenance - every time i wash my dogs i pour on a dilute ACV or white vinegar rinse and then leave it.

hope this helps your dog like it helped mine. one of my dogs was chewing his feet off and this really worked.
djh/texas"

[YEA]  02/19/2009: Chrissy from Roslyn, New York: "Hi, My little Shih Tzu suffers terribly from yeast, however, I've been spraying him down with white vinegar and Aloe Vera Juice (The organic kind made to drink). The Aloe seems to be healing up the scabby skin. Even the Vet remarked that he looked better. I am also trying the probiotics and keeping him away from all grains and veggies, just meat and fish (some raw organic meat as well.) I've seen some improvement with this protocol, and hope to have him cured or at least have this stuff under control with the acidophilolus - I added yogurt today (although he doesn't like it).

Thanks for this site, it helps me to see what other people are trying.
Best,
Chrissy"

03/22/2009: shelly from Kelowna, British Coloumbia replies: "Hi I have a shitzu that is 6yrs old and when he was 3yrs old I discovered he was getting red and itchy under is arms and by his lower adomen. We struggle with the vet and he wants me to check for thyroid. I dont have that kind of money and was hoping to try the Acidophilus. The only thing is how much of it do you give a 15 lb shitzu and how much yogurt do you give. Please if anyone can help my little Nemo and what kind of food do you recommend. I hear not to give him grains,veg,and even some meats like chicken. So what can he eat then? Please I need some help .Thank You"

[YEA]  12/16/2009: Barbara from Toronto, On, Canada: "Yeast Free Diet for Pets with Yeast Infections

I used to have recurrent yeast infections that were really painful and debilitating. They completely stopped about five years ago when I stopped eating all yeast including yogurt, and all fermented products. The same is true for pets. There is alot of yeast added to pet foods and a diet free of yeast will have the same amazing results for them as it did for me. Give it a try. You may have to make your own pet foods as most pet foods use yeast as a nutritional and flavor supplelment but it is worth it. Vet bills are costly and sparing your pets the pain of yeast infections are well worth it."

[YEA]  01/16/2013: Jerry from Paris, Texas: "I have started giving our 6 mth old English Bulldog 2 large tablespoons of organic yogurt daily and you wouldn't believe the difference it has made in the smell, itching and has also softened up her coat. I've tried changing foods, and everything and finally it occurred to me perhaps it's a yeast problem and yogurt aides in creating good bacteria to kill the bad. She's also more playful, even to point to where I sometimes wish she still itched....lol"

[BETTER BUT NOT CURED]  05/20/2009: Barb from Newark, DE: "Yogurt, Omega 3, 6 & 9, Herbs

My baby, Bruiser (lab, dane, sheppard mix) has been having worsening symptoms of yeast for two years. Being a massage therapist, I lean towards holistic treatment as much as possible. Our vet was treating his ear infections with antibiotic cream, antibiotiv=cs and prednisone. We were also told to givev him an antihistamine. The prednisone made him CRAZY and heavy (which he can't be with his old injuries). I had enough and began researching to help my guy. I have started him on a proprietary blend of herbs for yeast (that I took myself after a nasty batch of antibiotics), 4 capsules of the Omega oils, and about a cup of yogurt 2x a day. We are having some changes, and I know holistic treatment takes time so I am being patient. The vinegar thing makes him run around the house like a lunatic, but it works well. Feel free to email with more ideas or more information and I will be happy to share our progress."

06/30/2009: Susie from DeLand, Florida replies: "I have a Lab that we rescued who came with major health issues. After lots of $$$$ and endless meds from the vet I decided that there must be a better way. After days and weeks of research on yeast infections this is what I found works for Sandy. #1. To control yeasty ears: to start, use a bottle like the ones used to put hair color on, mix 6 oz. of 70 percent isopropyl alcohol, 1/2 tablespoon boric acid and shake well, then add 2 oz. white vinegar and 1 or 2 drops of gentian violet and shake well again. DO NOT get the gentian violet on your clothing it will not come out. You can remove it from your fingers with straight alcohol. Rinse the ears out 3 times a day, squirt into each ear, rub about 30 seconds and then do a final clean out with a cotton ball saturated with the solution. The dog's ears will have a purple tint but it does go away and so will the yeast. Continue this on a weekly basis, once the infections have cleared then just do a once a week maintenance. #2. I use a holistic dog food that has salmon, sardines and anchovies in it topped with 1 cup of PLAIN yogurt. #3. 1 tablespoon of ACV in the water bowl as well. #4. For the hot spots and itchy flare ups I use a 50/50 mixture in a spray bottle of ACV and witch hazel. I spray that on after baths as well. I bathe her with Dawn to kill the fleas. All of the ingredients I have listed are cheap and they work. Be patient, yeast is hard to control and requires fighting it from the inside out as well as topically. Hope this helps!"

[YEA]  02/13/2011: Julie from Apache Junction, Arizona replies: "I am so grateful for this site. My poor Maggie has been suffering for years with what the vet tagged as allergies. I tried all of the shots and medications with no permanent fix. It just always seemed to get worse. After reading all of the post here I switched her food to a lamb and rice limited diet, started giving her asodopholis pills mixed in her food and put asv in her water. I also started bathing her twice a week with Sebolux by virbac, spraying her with a 50/50 water, vinegar mix.

After about a month the black, scabby spots under her arms and on her belly are almost completely gone, her ears are no longer smelly and infected and she is a new dog. She now plays, chases her ball and is overall a lot more happy. All without shots and medications. Thanks again for another "Happy puppy"! "