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Carrie (Ohio) on 11/15/2017: 
Susan (Georgia) on 03/25/2017: 
Sadiesmomma (Florida) on 07/31/2016: 
Hi all!
About 3 months ago, our poor 1 1/2 y/o coon hound Sadie developed this nasty itchy rash on her underside. At the time there were no other symptoms, and I am a ferm believer in trying to find a way other then shoving meds down ours and our furr baby throats to try first. First thing I tried was some topical benedryl in combination with a leotard that I converted into a doggy yoga outfit to protect her from herself.
At first it worked (about 1-2 weeks) a bit and I thought we would be in the clear, but when she started to loose some of her chipper playful personality we said enough and decided to take her to the vet. We demolished our savings with this visit, got her new heartworm and flea meds that were of a higher quality as they vet said it could have been a bug bite allergy or reaction and they also gave us prednisone and an antibiotic. We also changed her to a much higher quality grain free food. The prednisone worked beautifully for the 7 days she was on it, but 1 day after she was off of it and continueing on the antibiotic it came back something fierce! On her toes, brown waxiness in her ears, rash on her tushie, also some redness and swollen along the edges of her mouth.
In a panic we called the vet letting them know that the prednisone worked so well but we understood it was not good for long term use. We asked if there was anything else they could put her on to help with the allergy. They prescribed apoquel. Said there was a chance she could end up on that the rest of her life. It was tough to swallow as it was super expensive 4 pills a day at $1.30 a pill, but this is our baby and we wouldn't do any less if it were our human child. We committed to this drug.
Two weeks in it helped, but never cleared up the underside of her tummy. We were on our last dose of both the apoquel and the antibiotic and decided there was no way we would be paying $90+ a month on meds for her that never truely worked. It was time to go back to plan A.... time to find something home based that we could do.
Hubby and I researched and spoke to friends well educated in alternative medicine for dogs, and came to the realization that it probably started as an allergy issue, but because the vet put her on the antibiotic it made everything worse rather then better. We then decided on the following:
-First things first, we needed to protect our pup from herself. We bought her a cone, and I devised an outfit made from a towel wrapped around her torso only that has loops coming off of the top and the bottom that feed through her collar. This way she had protection but also the freedom to move freely, go to the bathroom etc. Kinda like a doggie version of overalls lol
-We started sadie on a probiotic powder to start building the good bacteria back up in her digestive tract.
-We also started giving her baths with a medicated shampoo (with the ingredients funny enough, mentioned in this original article).
- We remove the outfit nightly for a sponge bath of a AVC and green tea mixture, and a coconut oil massage. We let this air dry for a few hours each night, or for as long as we see that she's not starting to bite or lick, before putting her outfit and cone back on. We keep her confined to our room with one of the two of us during this time for close monitoring. We also clean her ears with ear wipes ever 2 days or prn.
- By the time the meds were up, it had also started affecting her tush and her girly parts. I decided the best way to treat that is diaper rash cream 2x a day. That's worked beautifully to clear up that area as long as we stay on top of it. Please please please know you must use that product with caution. Our Sadie is in a cone and cannot luck this area at this time. DO NOT USE it if your dog can lick the affected area, as it should not be ingested.
- Lastly, we have started giving her benedryl 25 MG tabs. She is a larger dog and the reccomended dose (please check with your vet first before starting this) is 1 MG per pound of the dog. Our Sadie is about 65 pounds and we just give her the 2 per dose twice daily. This has helped greatly in the itchy department and provided much relief to her, however does make her a bit drowsey which is probably good thing at this point. Rest heals. Period.
We have been on this plan for about 2 weeks now and most of all the rash and redness is gone, just have the occasional scabby that'll show up if she rubs her tush in the grass, on her bum or ankle. These I treat with a little neosporen. The main thing we still battle is that her tummy is still sensitive. We touch it lightly (anywhere) and one or both of her legs start going. I wish I could find a way to relieve that for her. Overall she seems to be doing pretty well on the new routine. After reading most of your posts, I understand this could very well be a long and possible chronic battle. Just hoping that winter will provide a little bit of a break for her body to finish recouping. This florida heat and humidity could in no way be helping the issue. It's a tough routine, but as I said before, she's our baby (one of our two furr babies), and I would do nothing less for her then my own daughter.Thank you for all of your entries on this thread, as it's only encouraged us to be strong on our journey and to not give up! Please let me know if you have found anything natural to help with the sensitivity to touch on the skin where the yeast rash used be!
Dana T. (Midland, Tx) on 10/31/2015:
I am so lost and just exhausted all efforts and my rescue shih tzu of two years has fought a fight that is not getting better. I do not have a clue anymore and am devastated. Long story short, just like all other stories, when we saved her, she was very sick. Steroids and antibiotics had to be administered to get better. Here we are two years later and last year I finally went holistic with our baby and STILL nothing. Feeding organic raw chicken, greek yogurt, and some organic boiled egg with a little kale. She is on acidophilus and probiotics, doing the borax, hydrogen, epsom, milk of magnesia baths. Spray this also on her. Coconut oil.
What is there left? Her ears as I write this make me want to cry. She is hurting because they are so big (4 times the size) and just look like hamburger meat. Under her eye is huge and knots and red....so red that this bath tonight had I guess a little blood oozing from it because her hair was pink. At a LOSS and PRAYING for a miracle answer here.
Debbie (Portslade, Uk) on 01/07/2015:
Yeast Infections in Dogs: I can only tell you what worked for me.
I have 4 Shihtzus. When one of them was a puppy, he started to become quite poorly. Took him to the Vets. Who diagnosed severe Yeast issues. They started pumping him full of steroids and antibiotics. We kept going back to the vets. He was getting worse, to the point, I thought I was going to lose him.
He was fed on commercial puppy food.
I started, doing loads of research. And, discovered that steroids and antibiotics actually 'feed' the yeast!!
So, no more Vets........ I also researched dog food. And that anything with wheat/grain in, was feeding the yeast also. That's when I changed to raw feeding. No fruit or veg for him either as there are natural sugars in many. For that reason, I don't use ACV for him. I started bathing him in a good quality anti-fungal shampoo. Rinse well. And then with a mixture of half water/half, distilled WHITE vinegar. Soak the dog in it. 'Dunk' the paws in a bowl of it. Flush out the ears also with the mixture. (As long as the ear drum is not perforated).Then leave it on the dog, to dry. DON'T rinse off. Get a spray bottle and make up a new solution. Use this every day where there are any skin issues and spray inside the ears. Clean out any 'gunk' with it. Dunk the paws daily in a new solution. Doing it, just before bed time, is the ideal time to do it. Also, after a walk etc.
The crucial thing is diet. Add some probiotic yogurt. Garlic. Good quality, Virgin coconut oil. Every day. Plus of course. Raw meat/Offal/Tripe/fish. Some bone. But, find out about raw feeding, so you know what to give. Minus, fruit and veg for a dog with yeast issues. NO treats or biscuit. Unless home made. For a dog with yeast issues. It has to be done for the lifetime of your dog.
If you need to heal any sores before you get it under control. Use a mixture of neem oil and coconut oil.
If antibiotics are needed. Use Colloidal Silver. Or, it will flare up again.
Don't give tap water to drink. Only, bottled or filtered. NO, table scraps. I now have a very healthy 5 year old.
When he has a bath, it's always with the anti-fungal shampoo, followed by the white vinegar/half water rinse. I also, always clean his ears with it. He has an issue with one ear, because his ear canal is VERY narrow. So, I also shave his ears, inside and out. So, he has no hair irritating his ear.
Cobrien (Pittsburgh, Pa) on 12/15/2014:
We then started him again on the daily dose. Went back to the vet (for shots) and again prescribed antibiotic/steroid therapy and to discontinue the atopica to clear up his skin before giving him his yearly shots. I knew this was a bad idea but as desperate as we are, we'd do whatever it took to make him well. For three weeks, everything was great. But I knew that once he was off of the therapy, his scratching would resume. It did. My next plan before stumbling upon this website was to take him to a dermatologist, but after reading so many stories, I decided to give some of the recommendation that has been put on here as one last ditch effort to combat this yeast on my own.
This is what I do for Mason:
Wysong Epigen 90 (starch/grain free) about 1/2 cup a feeding with Wysong wet food (about 1/4 can). 1 acidophilus pill, 2 benadryls, and a few squirts of anchovy oil, an about a tablespoon of virgin, unsweeteneded coconut oil. Two times a day.
I also bathe him with anti-fungal/anti-bacterial shampoo with tea tree oil until my order of Malaseb comes in as well as a vinegar/peroxide/water combo rinse and let him soak in it for at least 10 minutes. He hates being in the bathtub so it can be a little difficult keeping him still. I pat him dry, especially his paws. I'll be doing this 2 times a week.
We're on day 4 and his scratching isn't as incessant as it was. He still has a yeasty odor but he'll get another bath/rinse tonight. His stool/farts has the most awful smell ever. I'm going to assume it is from the change to his food and/or the added supplements.
I am hopeful that this will work for him. It breaks my heart to see him like this - he came from an abuse/abandoned situation before ending up at the shelter and then in my home. I promise him everyday that no matter what, if my husband and I end up in the poor house, he will be healthy and happy and itchy free.
Sydney (San Diego, CA) on 10/05/2014:
A friend told me about applying a 50/50 mixture of vinegar and water to the affected areas. Also, make sure to saturate the paws because the infection gets spread to the paws when they scratch. Do this everyday for 6 days. Leave on as long as possible but at least an hour before rinsing off with warm water. On the 7th day you will shampoo the dog with tea tree shampoo. DO NOT use the vinegar and shampoo on the same day as they will cancel each other out.
When the dog is thoroughly dry, you can apply pure coconut oil to soothe the skin. NEVER USE an OATMEAL product, soap, shampoo etc. for a yeast infection as the oatmeal feeds the yeast and makes it worse. Grain free diet helps, I use Blue Buffalo Grain-Free, but it's somewhat expensive. I'm sure there are other brands but believe it or not, my canine is a finicky eater. This next info is VERY IMPORTANT to note! Don't get discouraged, but rather expect the dog to scratch like crazy and even roll around after the vinegar solution is applied for about 1 or 2 minutes. It WILL subside! The 1st couple of minutes, the vinegar is killing the yeast, the yeast spores react by exploding. When they explode there will be a surplus of the bacteria on the surface of the skin making the itching worse but PLEASE be patient as this will go away as the bacteria dies in a few minutes. This reaction will be less and less in following treatments.
The once a week tea tree shampoo part of the treatment kills the bacteria that is in the skin under the surface that the vinegar can't reach. The tea tree oil gets absorbed into the skin and kills bacteria beneath the surface. Leave shampoo lather on the dog for about 10 minutes before rinsing well with warm water. The coconut oil soothes irritation as well as smothers the bacteria from getting more oxygen to grow. Also, spray down bedding with the vinegar mixture, leave on for 10 minutes then launder.This treatment takes time and patience but it's effective for yeast infections, the dog won't be taking antibiotics which are only temporary and bad for their system, and it's a whole lot cheaper than a vet visit! Here's the summary below and good luck!
Equal parts ACV (or white vinegar) and plain water, enough to saturate affected areas. I wear gloves and apply with cotton balls but a spray bottle will also work. Every day for 6 days.
Tea tree oil shampoo on the 7th day (once a week)
Pure coconut oil with no additives. Can apply as needed to soothe the skin. This isn't a mandatory part of the treatment but will aid in your dog's skin healing and comfort
Keishas Mom (Toronto, Ontario, Canada) on 11/22/2012:
Since I've been treating for yeast I have found her to be unbelievable better! I feel her Raw Lamb food, and on it I put colloidal silver, yogurt, and omega-3 oil (one for each meal). I also bathe her with all natual soap (it comes in a bar) and then put a rinse of Vinegar and tea tree oil diluted in water, which I don't rinse off. Once she's dry I put colloidal silver on her itchy spots. I find that these steps help her so much! I can't believe that no vet told me about yeast infections, they just prescribed antibiotics, allergy pills, and topical treatments that made her feel worse. I think all natural is the way to go, and colloidal silver is a miracle worker!
Earthystuff (Nicholson, Ga, United States) on 08/26/2012:
After searching on earthclinic and agreeing it is yeast, this is what I did for him. Still on lamb and rice food in the morning feed I give him his daily garlic for fleas part of powdered glucosamine and started him on 1 tablespoon Apple cider vinager. He actually doesnt have a problem eating it in his food. I add a little wet lamb and rice to mask the flavor and smell. Afternoon feed I add a little wet food and a big heaping tablespoon of greek yogurt. I have washed him once a week with antifungal shampoo and then follow with spraying him down with a mixture of 1/2 Apple cider vinager and 1/2 water. In between baths I spray him in places that are lingering like the top of his head. Its been about 5 weeks and this yuck is just about gone. His energy level has picked up and he is so much happier. He is an older dog and this usually occurs in the hot months but Im going to keep him on this program. He even smells better. I am glad to report that this is working wonderful.
Earthclinic has been my doctor for about 6 years now and I love the information I get here!
Sierrahennessy (Fairfax, Usa) on 10/01/2011:
Joanne in Buffalo, NY
I have been reading about your dog with my heart in my mouth. So much of your story reminds me of my own struggles with Sierra, my 12 1/2 year old dog. Sierra has always had yeasty ears ever since we got her at age 8 weeks. We had it under control until her mate King died of DM a few years ago. Then it exploded in our face. We tried everything, were at the vet's multiple times, spent thousands on meds, including steroids and antibiotics. Finally, I switched vets and came with Sierra, who was in agony from joint pain, vaginal infections and loss of hair, black skin, stink and ulcers everywhere! Her coat was matting from the oozing. I told Dr. Lynch point blank I wanted everything in the arsenal for attacking YEAST, which hadn't been done before because nobody listened. He gave me ketoconazal, an antibiotic for the infections in the ulcers and vagina, medicated anti-fungal shampoo to be used twice weekly and a drying powder for taming the ooze. He diagnosed her with severe systemic yeast infection. He also said based on her pain levels, we might have to euthanize her in a month. I came home depressed.
Later that night, I started research. I was prepared to lose my dog in any number of age releated causes. But NOT to a stupid fungus. I began with the lessons I learned from King's DM, when the vet told me when he was 8 that western medicine had gone as far as it could. I took King to an alternative vet, who gave him another 3 amazingly good years using herbs. I decided to take that approach with Sierra. It's been two weeks and the turn around in her heath, her outlook and the decrease in her pain level is nothing less than amazing.
Here's what I learned and did.:
First, food change. I got really picky, went ONLY for low glycemic no grain food. Sierra was on Wellness chicken her whole life, which I still believe to be a quality food for dogs without yeast issues. Her lifetime of good food and medical health may have saved her life (more on that later). I moved her off that and onto Hund n Flocken by Solid Gold. She only eats the can and sometimes not even that, but I believe elimination of sugar and simple carbs has helped with starving the yeast. I don't think its possible to be picky enough about her food. No more Mother Hubbard treats for Sierra. Just duck jerky, which she likes. No more bones, which will contribute to her gut issues.
She had a full set of bloodwork. I read that yeast and thyroid issues go hand in hand. Have both T3 and T4 checked. Every time she has a blood test, the Drs. call me up amazed, saying she has the bloodwork of a dog half her age. It is this organ strength that I believe allowed the Dr. to attack the yeast with his full arsenal at full strength, I gambled on her lifetime of health.
Including pain pills, Sierra is on seven pills in the morning and six at night. We give her pill pockets to get them down her. We use the drying powder three times a day for her ulcers. Only 2 persistant ones (in the armpit) of about 20 remain.
Additionally, after research, I decided to give Sierra Bovine Colostrum, the first milkings from a cow that gave birth. Colostrum is believed to assist in healing the Leaky Gut syndrome, sealing the holes in the intestinal wall and replacing the mucosal lining. I also decided to give her Black Walnut tincture, a major anti-fungal of nature.
We wash Sierra twice a week with the medicated anti-fungal shampoo.
I have two more weeks until we see the Dr. I think we've acheived nothing less than a bloody miracle. The black skin is slowly disappearing and hair I thought I'd never see again has already returned. Her joint inflamation is significantly reduced, and she goes up and down stairs better than in years. Her crusty oozing eyes have cleared completly. She's stopped licking at anything other than normal brief cleanings.
Her ears are still yeasty and likely always will be, despite the fact they are upright and they are correctly formed in the ear canal. (we had the vet look a long time ago).
Here are some other things folks might find useful, by the way, the great dane lady website is fantastic.
Natural Treatment Ideas
Use probiotics/digestive and dietary enzymes to keep the pH balance of the stomach in proper balance. This in turn helps prevent yeast overgrowth.
Use raw apple cider vinegar or lemon juice - 2 teaspoons per day on food or in water, to help keep the pH balance where it should be in the gut and make an environment, which is not conducive to yeast proliferation.
1. Bathe in sulfur-based or medicated shampoo
2. Prepare a 50/50 mixture of Apple Cider Vinegar & Water
3. Rinse or wipe affected areas with 50/50 mixture daily. Note: Do not use Apple cider mixture on open lesions
For pets with itchy skin from yeast infections, use a Baking Soda rinse alone or after shampooing your pets body with the appropriate pet shampoo for fungus infections (see vet). It will be quite helpful with the overall itchiness, skin problems and inflammation. Ask your veterinarian for his recommendations.
Baking Soda Recipe:
Mix two (2) teaspoons of Baking Soda per gallon of warm water; make sure to mix it so it completely dissolves - pour over pet, do not rinse off.
A mild spray from Tea tree oil will discourage your dog from digging at the skin (because the bitter taste). Aloe Vera, Omega fatty acids, and Neem oil are effective treatments. In mild cases it already can be helpful to wash your dogs skin with apple cidre vinegar or use aloe vera.
If you are not sure about the nutritional values, and biochemical processes in the body, add a high-quality nutritional supplement to your dogs food which contains vitamin B complex, folic acid, vitamin C, zinc, magnesium, selenium, iodine, biotin, echinacea, and potassium.
Neem
The most important characteristic of Neem (neem tea, neem leaf) is, boosting both the lymphocyte and cell-mediated immune system. Neem boosts the production of T-cells, which defense your dogs body when attacks to the immune system occur.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is crucial for boosting your dogs immune system. Vitamin C has essential antiviral and antibacterial activity, but its main effect is improvement of host resistance.
Omega Fatty Acids
Omega fatty acids are important for your dogs immune system, skin and coat health. Omega fatty acids boost food utilization and energy production. Evening primrose oil is most effective (omega 6 fatty acid), followed by flaxseed oil and fish oil (omega 3 fatty acid).
Zinc
Zinc deficiency increases the risk of infection. Studies show that zinc supplements can boost the immune system, promote wound healing, and help develop white blood cells.
Dog food diet for immune system related dog skin disorders:
Dogs with skin disorders and skin rashes need a special dog food diet, low in carbohydrates.
Whole grains and fiber in the dog food are advisable, to boost the immune system on a long term basis. You can serve the same kind of meat or vegetable for 3 to 4 days, then switch if possible.
Basic dog food: Mainly oats; whole grains; barley, for variation: smashed potatoes
Meat: Mainly duck; for variation: rabbit, turkey, lamb, fish, veal
Vegetable: Garlic, parsley, carrots, watercress, alfalfa sprouts, zucchini, avocado, artichoke, celery - they are great toxin relievers for the body. For better digestion mix the raw vegetable in a blender , and add it to the dogs food.
Fruits: Chopped coconut, apple, banana
Dairy: Plain yogurt or cottage cheese to re-colonize the intestinal flora
FOODS TO AVOID FOR DOGS:
Commercial dog foods and treats which contain the following ingredients:
Meat-by-products, poultry-by-products, meat meal, wheat flour, wheat gluten, corn meal, corn gluten, rice flour, brewers rice, BHA, BHT, Ethoxyquin
- Rice, MSG, chicken, pasta, milk (because it contains lactose), bread, cookies, crackers,
- Peanuts, yams, sausage, bacon, corned beef, smoked meat and sausages.
- Onions, tomatoes, mushrooms, salt, ketchup, grapes, raisins.
- Sugars, sucrose, fructose, corn syrup, fruit juices, honey, chocolate, or maple syrup
Probiotics
Probiotics (beneficial yogurt like bacteria) keep the flora/fauna of the gut at good levels in the digestive track. When this flora/fauna is killed off due to antibiotics we must re-seed the gut with probiotics at the same time!! .
But Probiotics/Prebiotics, keep fungus/yeast at lower levels in the gut as long as it is supplied daily in your pet's diet and we can't fully depend on it on some dog foods. Once there is yeast overgrowth, probiotics alone will not push the levels back down. It requires supplements to alter the pH of the environment, kill off the yeast, remove the yeast die-off from the body, and probiotics to reseed the gut with beneficial microorganisms.
Chlorexidine at 2 to 4 percent might be effective against yeasts, 0.5 to 1 percent is not effective.
Miconazole (Dermazole ®, Resi-zole® leave on conditioner) is also effective.
Vinegar/water rinse (1/5 to 1/10) is a cheap and effective long-term maintenance treatment to prevent relapses in dogs that are predisposed (swimmers).
Colloidal silver may be administered to dogs as an oral supplement in liquid form, through IV injection, in a nebulizer cup, as a spray or topically as a liquid or cream. It may also be combined with a powder for dry application or to create a paste. It can be used to flush out wounds, as ear drops, eye drops or applied directly onto the skin of your dog. It can be applied to your dog's gums or used as a toothpaste to help eliminate bad breath and tooth decay.
Dogs: 70 to 120# canines can tolerate 1 to 2 tbsps. of colloidal silver 3x/daily during illness. If fever is present or the dog has gone off feed, we will dose a high initial loading dose and then back off to 10 to 15 cc's/day (2 tsp. to 1 tbsp).
Aloe Vera: Aloe Vera has long been used to treat skin ailments. It has many nutrients and properties beneficial to the skin. Aloe Vera is used as an anti-inflammatory agent. It also provides anti-bacterial and anti-fungal aid. Once again, going straight to the source will provide a more potent treatment. Apply the gel from a leaf of the aloe vera plant directly to the skin rash. If you are not able to find one or do not wish to extract the gel yourself, you can find aloe vera extract at many stores. Apply at least 3 times a day.
Baking Powder: Rub baking powder over the skin rash. Baking powder will dry up the rash and help relieve the itching.
Olive Oil: Olive oil is recommended to soothe dry skin and restore moisture. The skin can also benefit from the healing and renewal properties of olive oil. Skin rashes can be treated by applying olive oil to the affected skin. (Me: Coconut Oil, organic, cold pressed also works well, internally and externally, its a great anti-fungal and dogs love it.)
I have a whole lot of further info. Regarding recipes for these things, if anyone is interested. I also have aromatherapy suggestions that really helped, but honestly, I think I've gone on enough! I wish everyone a safe and fantastic cure.
For Paws (Toronto, Ontario, Canada ) on 04/29/2011:
With the food, also give him one capsule of Acidophilus (5 billion) and plain yogurt with food every day.
For bath, I use Nizoral anti-dandruff shampoo which is 2% Ketoconazole that kills the fungus that cause the skin itching. Nizoral shampoo can be purchased off the counter, price reasonable.
another vet shampoo is Allergroom by Virbac Animal Health. I bought it from the vet's office, that cost $25 for 16 oz. This one only soothes the dog's skin and leave the hair smelling good.
Infection in ears - I use one part hot water, mix with one part alcohol and one part vinegar, wet the cotton ball and squeeze the excess liquid so the cotton ball is wet but not dripping and cleans the dogs ears. I do it at least once a day, sometimes 2-3 times a day when required.
I find the dogs ears are much cleaner now than using the ear drops prescribed by the vet's office and it keeps the infection at bay.
5 Pooches Home (Houston, Tx) on 03/11/2011:
1. You can try Ted's Mange remedy on this site (see mange page) and also rub your dog down with wash cloth or towel soaked in apple cider vinegar and water solution (50-50 each) couple of times a day. This will make a huge difference.
2. Also start feeding a homemade diet (research this thoroughly on the net) and add coconut oil -lots of it to the food. Take AWAY ALL processed food from the diet like dog food and treats. Only natural foods. For snack you can give your dog fruits like apple and banana. Also you can cook some oatmeal mixed with water and coconut oil.
3. You can at night also massage your dog with some coconut oil as its anti-bacterial and if u can get - neem oil. This will soothe a dog a LOT. You can also try eucaluptus oil to massage on him/her.
4. Last but not least, hygiene of ur pets and ur home is VERY imp. Make sure yours surrounding and dog sheets and bed is all washed in laundry. Also give dog a bath with mild BABY SHAMPOO that is HYPOALLERGENIC AND SOAP FREE. This all 4 steps should bring your dog good health inside out and heal your dog completely.
5. DO NOT put any FLEA products on her and DO NOT OVER-VACCINATE HER OR GIVE HER HEARTWORM PILLS OR ANY OTHER MEDICINE. Natural cure is the best. Plz. stop loading the poor dog's body with poisons and toxins and commercial dog foods.
Good luck.
Connie (Elk Creek, Missouri) on 03/10/2011:
Finally, I thought about Lactinex a pro-biotic, which is what I take when I'm on antibiotics so I don't get a yeast infection. I have been giving it to her for three days now, and I can see a definate difference in her. She is actually getting some rest, and not spending every moment scratching. I have felt so desperate to give her relief, that I have been considering putting her to sleep because to live like this is so miserable. I don't know why I didn't go on-line to see if there were any remedies to try, it just dawned on me today. I feel terrible, I could have saved her so much torture if only I had been using my head. I am going to buy gallons of ACV to help her along with the yogurt. After spending over $500.00 on meds & lab work at the Vet, I hope we can finally give her some peace. If all this works........ I am going to give my Vet a piece of my mind! I have a lot of animals, (horses, cows, cats, dogs) and my vet earns plenty of money off me every year. I feel like telling him he owes me a lot of money back, or at least credit to my account.
Thank you all so much for sharing your stories about your experiences with your best friends. I feel so much better knowing that euthanasia will not be the final option for relief.
Shelley (Philadelphia, Pa) on 01/10/2011:
We tried various foods to help her, including Wellness, Core Wellness, California Naturals, Innova (which gave her horrible diarrhea), and even a raw foods diet. None of the foods seemed to have any effect. Her vet insisted she had allergies, and after trying various medications, medicated shampoos, and a 6-month food trial, Lilo continued to get worse and worse. She began to lose fur on her neck, belly, armpits, chin, tail, between her toes, and around her eyes. Her neck is the worst, and she would frequently scratch it raw and bloody. She looked like a burn victim.
The vet has suggested that Lilo is "just an allergic dog" and that we go see a canine dermatologist. I suggested that there might be something else wrong, but the vet was firm in her diagnosis and I began to become skeptical, especially after doing some research on canine allergies.
After months of research and watching my dog chew her own skin off, I desperately changed my focus from "allergy cures" to anything else that might be wrong with my dog. After reading about yeast, I just KNEW that this was what was wrong with my dog, especially since black spots are evident on her skin. That is when I found this site, among a few others, that have helped. Here is what I came up with to battle Lilo's skin problems:
I have only been using these remedies for a few days now, but I have already seen an improvement. Lilo does not wake us up at night as often, and has begun to have more playful energy. Her dandruff is subsiding, and the skin on her neck is healing. Her armpits are slower to improve since she's kind of a sweaty dog. Even though she isn't completely healed yet, I feel relieved that I've finally found something that is helping.
Denise (Dallas, GA) on 05/15/2009:
I have a 9 y/o blue heeler dog with chronic systemic yeast. When I read the posted comments from other dog owners, it would appear that many of the problems others are dealing with are mild in comparison to what I am going through. Buster's problems were similar to the milder systems I've read about in the early years of his condition and were thought to have been allergies to food at first, and later fleas. Each time I upgraded to a better quality food or tried some other recommendation, there was improvement for a while, but the symptoms always returned, and always worse each time. It wasn't until his ears became terribly infected with yeast (the ears were easy to take care of using the solution recommended by the Great Dane Lady) that I was able to connect all the dots and figure out what he was suffering from thanks to the Great Dane Lady's web site. I ordered the recommended Yeast Removal Kit and followed all the instructions to the letter, including ordering the recommended shampoo and buying the #1 recommended variety of food for the problem. This was over a year ago. With the feeding recommendations and enzyme supplements, there was great improvement and I had hopes of a recovery for him, but he has setbacks and each time the yeast is worst than ever. He looks so bad that I am embarrassed to take him to the vet and use a mobile vet instead. He suspects that Buster suffers from allergies as well as yeast and of course offered Prednisone, which I declined. He also said that dogs like this are often never cured and it is all you can do to just control their symptoms and keep them comfortable. I know that the root of the problem is probably based on a compromised immune system, because after all the work, he still looks and feels just as terrible as he did. I'm glad to have found this web site and plan to start him on the yogurt and vinegar suggestions this week. There seems to be some conflict on amounts. I am writing to see if anyone has experience with a dog who has an exceptionally bad yeast infection - stubborn and deeply rooted that keeps recurring. If there is someone out there who can offer any specific ideas for my dog, I would greatly appreciate it. I have been able to link his flare-ups to warm weather and heat. He flared up in the fall when we turned our a/c off for the year (even though it was not hot) and he flared up again come spring when the weather warmed. He has to be kept inside, he can't tolerate heat, even if it is mild to us. Rather a sad life for a blue heeler. He can only go outside at night during the summer months. I have considered a raw diet for him, but he does not like raw chicken at all and will only eat raw beef or venison. For the past year, he has been on a holistic dog food only with only meat based treats. There seems to be also some different suggestions concerning dog food. A pet shop owner recently recommended I try a grain free food for him so that is the only time we have strayed from the brand recommended. His yeast seems worse and I am not sure whether to keep trying it or go back to the other brand. I don't know how long to wait before giving up on it. Is grain free really okay when it has potato or sweet potato content? Obviously, I am conflicted about what is best for him at this point and all of these ideas and suggestions are wonderful but it's hard to figure out what is best for an individual dog. I am open to suggestions. Thank you!
Julie (Black Mountain, NC/USA) on 04/11/2009:
A (West Haven, CT) on 03/24/2009:
Joey (Birch Bay, WA) on 02/05/2009:
I had no idea dogs could get a yeast infection! Pats, our 10 year old border collie, was chewing herself raw and her odor was absolutely minging! I was looking for a natural treatment for mites, I was told that she had mange, and came across greatdanelady's testimonial. After going to the website included with the photos I realized what her problem was. I felt really bad - I've had a yeast infection before and I know how maddening it can be!!
I had been feeding her a mix of Pedigree canned and Beneful dry food, plus Liva-snaps as treats. I stopped that and went with liver/chicken/hamburger and brown rice, and mix in plain yogurt and cranberry sauce, a splash of ACV, a splash of olive oil and a good sprinkle of turmeric. I've been bathing her with an oatmeal shampoo and rinsing with a mix of ACV and water, then following it up with a baking soda rinse. I've been brushing her 3 times a day (she loves it!) and doing everything I can to make her comfortable. She hates the padded collar I made to keep her from biting herself again, but other than that she's doing much better and her hair is starting to come in again. Still a little stinky, but better!
Thanks for this website!!
Dorothy B (Lk Panasoffkee, Fl.) on 11/21/2008:
Maryanne (Cleveland, Ohio) on 11/18/2008:
Since she is still biting her area down below and still showing arthritic symptoms in her back legs, I started using apple cider vinegar just two days ago, 1 teaspoon, 1 time per day mixed in her food, using the raw meat as a "cover" for the taste. In two days, she is perky, walked two blocks today and isn't as wobbly on her legs. Every dog is different and I feel like I have literally tried everything (only holistic, no medicines in this house) to help her. We all have to remember that the skin is the largest organ of the body and when toxins can't get out any other way, they come out on the skin, the ears, the eyes. Yeast will come out of all these areas making it look like they are separate illnesses. I have been actively working on this for over four months now but I have made extraordinary progress with her.
