★★★★★
We have a 14 year old mixed breed dog that suffers from recurring yeast infections on her skin. We started the traditional treatments the vet had to offer but it seemed we were just chasing the infection around her body. It had gotten so bad we were at the point of discussing having the vet come to the house to put her down. The vet told us that a last ditch remedy would be to try a woman's yeast infection cream on the bad spots. She said it would possibly help with the itching and scratching. After just two days of applying the cream twice a day on the bad spots, she was starting to clear up - especially the hot, red "elephant skin" she had under her arms. She was almost completely cleared up in a couple of weeks. We're still fighting it, but when we see a spot pop up we hit it with the cream. It keeps the spots from growing larger and it stops the itching.
★★★★☆
Have been dealing with the yeast issues for years (second dog). First of allm I would suggest allergy testing for food/environment. Cost is about 150.00. This way you know for sure.
My dog, dachshund now 6, has a chicken as well as seasonal allergies so I give her venison or bison and vegetables. If it is too protein rich, her pH gets out of balance and she gets a UTI so read the protein # on the label.
I bathe her twice a week with Virbac Keto-Chlor Ketoconazole. She will get break outs under her forelegs and vaginal. The baths give her great relief.
We do the baking soda and vinegar rinses, also. She takes enzymes, from health food store, sprinkled on her food, for her stomach. Sometimes she will eat the yogurt, especially goat yogurt. Her water, purified, as our water has chemicals and disrupts the stomach flora. We saw an allergy specialist for 1 1/2 years and have run the course. Someone mentioned their dog was vomiting yellow. This is most likely bile from stomach upset and Pepto has sweetner in it that promotes the fungus. Not good for the flora.
Acidophilus, Yogurt, Dietary Changes
I have an 8 month old German Shepherd imported from Germany. He has itchy ears and now lacks hair around his noise. The vets keep giving him antibiotics and a de wormer. He is on a raw diet from Darwin and is doing good with the food. I think he needs probiotics. Any suggestions on brand and amount?
Dietary Changes, Baths
I have read that coconut oil has anti-fungal properties in it. My dog is itching badly. I am feeding him raw meat and no grains or sugars and introducing yogurt today as soon as I go to the store. I have read that all if the major dog foods are loaded with grains and sugars that FEED YEAST so until we are ready to change their diets completely, then They will suffer. I will try the raw meat diet until my taste of the wild comes in through the mail. In the mean time he is getting bathed with vinegar and peroxide and lathered with coconut oil and tea tree oil. I will let y'all know how long before he stops biting and chewing.
Dietary Changes
★★★★★
I don't know where to put this, but I wanted to share my experience. I spent hundreds and hundreds of dollars at the vet for yeast infections in my dog's ears. He said allergies probably were the cause, but allergy testing was a lot of money.
So I did some research and decided to simply eliminate the most common food allergens - wheat, corn and soy - presto! No more ear infections. At least, not nearly as often and not as bad - there is no way to prevent all airborne allergens from getting in, but no more sudden, awful ones.
In a pinch, I buy Purina One Beyond. It has soy but no wheat or corn, and can be obtained from the grocery store.
When I can get what I prefer, I use Canidae from the feed store. It is the cheapest of the 'premium' foods, and contains no wheat, corn or soy.
When I notice that an infection might be trying to start - when she scratches and I see gunk in her ear, I use a product called Zymox. It is so much better than the two step cleaner antifungal/antibiotic from the vet. It is a gel that is easier on the ears - no alcohol to sting - and nicely travels down like you need it to. I normally only have to use that one-three days max. It also works for a full-on infection, but takes 1-2 weeks like the stuff from the vet. I buy a large bottle that lasts me a very long time and we never have to see the vet anymore.
Of course, if there is a possibility there is something in the ear canal, a vet trip is required. Otherwise any substance put in there will be very damaging, possibly fatal.
Anyway, I really encourage everyone with any type of problem possibly caused by allergies to change foods. It may not be as simple as avoiding wheat, corn, and soy, but it might be! And if not, you can do your testing further and see what you find for yourself.
Also, if she is really itchy - chewing on her paws and such, I give benadryl. be sure and look up the correct amount for the weight of your dog if you try that.
Anti-Fungal Medication
★☆☆☆☆
Like all the rest of you, I have been at my wit's end dealing with my 11 year old pekingese's issues with yeasty skin issues. I have been bathing her in Nizoral for a good year now, weekly, and it keeps it just under check, but not great.
I went to my vet last week, and she put her on Ketoconazole, an antifungal medication. I have since pulled her off of it. She was totally off her food, and I was worried she was failing, altho, after a few days, there is definitely an improvement in her skin. I came home from the gym one day, and the other 3 pekes were at the door to greet me - she was still laying in bed, not aware I was there. I thought she was dead!
I am very seriously considering feeding her a totally raw diet. I changed her food from Eagle Holistic Fish, to Now. She is not fussy about Now. This morning I fed her ground chicken with green beans. She ate the most she has eaten since her bout with not eating and not feeling well taking the meds.
My 12 1/2 yr old Belgian Tervuren eats totally raw, and has been for the last 3 years due to itchiness, altho, he is still itchy, is on thyroid medication, but otherwise very happy. He takes Vanectyl-P every second day.
So, I am in a quandry like the rest of you, and appreciate all the information posted here. Thank you!!!
Acidophilus
Just reading your great tips on yeast infections. Just brought my dog home from the groomer today and she said my buddy has a yeast infection. She told me NOT to use shampoos with oatmeal as the yeast feeds on it. I noticed someone mentioned batheing their dog with it and thought you may want to know. Thanks for the great tips!
Acidophilus
★★★★★
Our 14 year old chow mix has been plagued with a yeast infection of her skin for several years now. She has also been diagnosed with Cushings. We treated her with Lysodren for over 2 years for the Cushings with little change. We finally gave up on the Lysodren. Being encouraged by your postings here about acidophilus, I started giving her 3 to 4 pills spaced throughout the day. I also started bathing her in a medicated shampoo every 4 days. I treat her flare up spots with an otc spray for athlete's foot. This is working!!! She feels better because she's off Lysodren, she's not itchy and her skin and hair are very much improved. Just wanted to let others know there is hope to clear this up. I feel she has turned the corner.
Acidophilus
Hi Suzebel, Your situation sounds a lot like what we went through with one of our dogs. This site has been a lifesaver for her, for sure, because our vet had her on steroids constantly which I know was not good for her.
What put our Daisy on the way to health was a combination of things: 1) chewable acidophilus tables and 2) making sure in addition to being grain free that the limited ingredient dog food didn't have any potato or sweet potato products.
She liked yogurt at first but then would not eat it regularly which is what got us to the chewable tablets. After about 10 days of the acidophilus, she lost most of her appetite, was visibly bloated, and had green slime in her waste. After 2-3 days of that (to the point where we were seriously worried and had scheduled a vet visit) she slimmed down to normal and had appetite again. With just the acidophilus tablets and limited ingredient food, her skin started to heal, the smell went away completely, and hair started to grow where she had been elephant-skinned. Our theory is that period of bloating and slime was the dying-off effect.
We continue to give her 2 tablets daily (she's a 70 pound dog) and it maintains her health in that instance. She does occasionally get itchy and then has reduced appetite spells for a day or two, but it is nothing like what she was before.
I hope your dog is going through a dying-off of the yeast also and will come out the other side on the road to health. I am not a health professional so cannot confirm what you are describing is that but wanted to share our experiences with our dog because I know it can be scary!
Acidophilus
Hi, I am replying to your post about yeast issues in dogs. I have 3 Shihtzus. One of them, Teddy had yeast issues as a puppy. I kept taking him to the vets who kept pumping him full of antibiotics and steroids. And he was getting, sicker and sicker, to the point I thought he was going to die. So, I decided, enough was enough and took 'things' into my own hands. After doing loads of research. I discovered the antibiotics and steroids were actually feeding the yeast. That's when I discovered Earth Clinic. He was fed on canned dog food at the time. It had vegetables in it. Plus on research on how they produce any dog food. I discovered it was full of rubbish etc etc. I would not feed any vegetables they contain natural sugars. Not even potato's. You have to think about what wolves eat. And go right back to basics. And raw bones. Good for their teeth. Contain calcium. There is yeast in so much even hidden. Mine get raw chicken on the bone. Like a drumstick. Give it whole. I buy big frozen bags and defrost as needed. And any other meat. Like minced beef and pork. Also, big bags frozen. They get one meal a day. It really doesn't cost me much. That's all they need. You can give fish, now and again. A tin of tuna or salmon as a treat, in fish oil.
My Teddy is bathed in D10 shampoo, which is anti fungal. I get mine from Ebay. You can do a final rinse in half water/half white vinegar. Leave to dry or use hair dryer. You can also put the same mixture in a spray bottle and use between baths. I stay away from ACV. It's made with apples. Again, it's sugar. Clean ears out with half water/half white vinegar. No treats. They don't need them. Give them a bone to chew on. Never, ever, give cooked bones. They splinter. Keep it simple and it's so easy. If they are hungry, they will soon get used to the raw meat. Don't cook the meat. Plain yogurt can be given now and again. And just the filtered water to drink. Even my 4 cats, eat the same. I always have colloidal silver. In case they ever need antibiotic. I also give them half a clove of fresh garlic a day. Keeps fleas away. (Not cats. Toxic to them). They have Food grade DE in some natural yogurt. I do not put any chemicals on them. And, NO booster vaccinations either. The only time I use ACV is on the backs of their necks if they have an eye infection. I can honestly say, I have 7 very healthy animals. No fat on them. Just pure muscle. No skin problems. Lovely soft fur. Lovely, clean teeth. I don't like vets. They earn so much money from the drug companies.
Acidophilus
Kudos for rescuing this big boy! You may find that ZYMOX works wonders for his ears.
And the Great Dane Lady has great info on resolving systemic yeast infections: http://www.greatdanelady.com/articles/systemic_yeast_mini_course.htm
I also have had to trick my dogs into eating pills - after going through many types of soft cheese, pill pockets and the like, I can't get much past them! What has worked for me lately is to wrap the pill in raw ground beef, or some smelly canned food - they are too busy gobbling the moist food down to check for pills!
Multiple Remedies
Milk of Magnesia
Thank you, I am going to try this. I trust that it will kill the yeast once and for all!
Milk of Magnesia
How long do you do the Milk of Mag topically? Do you do it daily? Do you continue to apply it after the skin issue is resolved? Will Milk of Mag hurt your pet if they lick it?
Milk of Magnesia
Bd, my holistic vet said to stay away from the "warming" meats and feed only "cool" meats for skin issues, according to Chinese medicine, but, personally, I did not find that any particular dog food helped. However, I would definitely stay away from the prescription diets. Here's an article that might help, http://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/allergies-food-energetics/.
Dietary Changes
Supplements
★★★★★
I have a rescue brittney spaniel about 45 lbs. I thought he had an ear mite problem because the inside of his ears were all red and bumpy. He also had tender red spots towards the back of his body and was just hot all over. His eyes were also sort of crusty around the edges and he had an odor. Really itchy to him. I bought some over the counter ear mite medicine that wasn't helping.
After an internet search I found all this good information on earth clinic. Seemed like his problem fit the yeast infection so I started him on 1 per day acidophilus, 2 small garlic softgels, cod liver oil. This seemed to start to turn the tide back to better health. About then my sister bought him some Sulfodene skin medication. I think this came from box mart. That stuff gave him some imediate relief from the itchiness. So why not get a little bit of MSM in him? So I added about 1/4 of the tiny scoop of Jarrow MSM sulfer powder to his breakfast. He started getting better fast. After about 3 weeks I took him off the the daily MSM and just give it once a week along with the other stuff daily to make sure the yeast doesn't come back. Also try to keep him off of bread and feed him a meal of decent raw meat when I can afford it. 6 mo. later he is healthy and frisky as he can be. Don't know how this would effect another dog but this worked for my britt.
Dietary Changes, Yogurt
★★★★★
my black lab puppy had a real bad case of yeast infection, under the arms and in the ears. I used the advice on your site and it helped a lot. First I changed her food from puppy chow to taste of the wild all natural. Then added acidophilus tabs (300 billion) and for desert a little yougart. Wow.... After 2 weeks like magic her yeast infection went away, her hair grew back and her coat is beatiful. The advice I got from your members was a god send. I believe your best results you should find results from a owner with the same kind of dog.. this worked for my lab, I hope it works for you... thanks
Multiple Remedies
★★★★☆
I have a 3 yo rescue pitbull named Lilo. We have had her for 2 years. Lilo started scratching behind her ears about 8 months after we brought her home. We took her to the vet, who prescribed antibiotics, etc. And that seemed to cure the problem. She then developed itchy skin, and we took her to the vet and, again, put her on antibiotics. Just like everyone else, this began a never-ending cycle where Lilo continued to spiral downward. She began to scratch herself constantly and her skin began to go into scabbing and drying cycles, where it would fall off in big flakes. She started to smell terrible, and get more frequent ear infections.
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:
- Soaking baths with Epsom salts, _____'s ACV, and a little Witch Hazel. This seems to soothe her skin and is helping with the smell.
- Nightly application of _____'s ACV directly to the affected areas.
- Nightly use of a wonderful, all-natural product called DermaPaw. This is a salve made from essential oils, petrolatum, and beeswax. It soothes itching and speeds healing.
- Dietary supplements including Omega oil gelcaps, vitamin tablets, yogurt, and Acidophilis.
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.
Dietary Changes, Yogurt
I have a solution that worked for my dog. After reading a majority of the post re: yeast infection remedies when my dog was dealing with a bad case of it, I decided to try some of the suggestions. Since mid October 2010, this is what I've been doing for Gigi to heal her. Brief history: Gigi (maltese) has been on Prednisone and antibiotics for most of her adult life (8 years old). She had scabs all over her body and was diagnosed with yeast infection from 2 vets, and stapf infection for another. After her last round of antibiotics, which cleaned everything up, but then within a month, she was right back in the same spot, I said no more prescription drugs---I knew this was an endless cycle. This is what I did and she is 97% better:
- nutrition is everything: NO GRAIN food with no by-products---you need to seek out great food. For some this is an issue b/c it cost more (vet bills are really expensive too). I'm using Instinct (raw diet meats) and Taste of the Wild. NO GRAIN and NO BY PRODUCTS is extremely important. Poor diet is the problem---to find the right food, you may need to seek out alternative vendors like pet stores that really understand this issue or online. - add probiotics/enzymes to each meal (i got from her vet---the supply will last a good year )
- UDOs Wholesome food diet for Dogs (packed with healthy nutrition)--- and the supply last a long time. - Add omega oils to meal (be mindful of the amount)
- PLAIN (no sugar) yogurt (really important not to get yogurt with sugars)---suggest: yogurt from health food store or stoneyfield. - MOST IMPORTANT part of healing the scabs and itchiness: I cleaned her scabs (she had all over her body, infection around her eyes---it was horrible) and infection with digestible Aloe Vera gel (Lilly of the Dessert), not the kind you buy at a drug store for topical use. Everyday until I started seeing results. - Another thing to consider that I did up front was give her a few of drops of Colloidal Silver --- please research more about this. - I did not test Apple Cider Vinegar -- however, I know it's great stuff for people. I truly hope this helps... I feel blessed to have come up with a solution that ACTUALLY had results.
Grapefruit Seed Extract
★★★★★
I have started using GSE for my bulldog that I have been told by vet has allergies, yeast infection (infestation). I am amazed by the relief she has been experiencing. See Candida on this website. Thank you all for the gift of health for myself, family and pets. This is a wonderful site!!!!
★★★★★
My dog has had a yeast infection for 8 months, the yeast is mainly between her toes in her nail beds and on her back leg. she has been to the vet all this time and been on antibiotics for 6 weeks, also a anti fungus pill, we could not control the yeast problem, one day it looked fine the day it would flare up again. she has been bathed every second day since it started 8 months ago. We were at the stage where we were given up till I found this site. We tried the spray of apple cider vinger and water, but this made the dog cry and she shook every-time I walked passed her, her feet also seem to get worse with this. She has been on a salmon diet with no grain. she has yogurt mixed in with this twice a day also acidopholus tablets one twice a day with food, I have brought the probiotic yogurt that has no sugar added (as i have read this can feed the yeast) She has been on this diet for a week, no tablets from the vet, she has stopped itching and stopped licking, I am still bathing her every second day and the day she is not bathed I was her feet with cotton tips and cotton wool pads. The feet are still slightly swollen and at one stage we didn't think it would work as her feet were swelling up again. But she is getting there very slowly at least it is not getting worse another fews weeks I think before it has gone. the hardest thing is not treats no chews no biscuits no other meat expect the salmon
★★★★★
This stuff works my dog looked like a hairless cat until we started treatment 1cup water & 1cup apple cider vinegar bath twice a week and 2 tablespoon vinegar in a gallon of drinking water for drinking and raw meat hamburger, fish, chicken, shrimp and some cooked meat too.
he smelled so bad that went away after 2 baths. he had yeast in his ears so we dipped cotton balls in 1tbs water and 1tbs vinegar salouation and cleaned his ears squeez out most of the wetness when you do the ears dont let it drip into the ear with in a 2 week time his hair started growing back now he is fully recovered it took about 2 months for him to get back to his old self.
Thank you so much this saved me about $600.00 in vet bills
★★★★★
My Bassett (Molly) had a yeast infection in her ears. My vet who is loves animals told me to mix a 50/50 solution of hydrogen peroxide and white vinegar and clean Molly's ears with it. It did wonders. I have not tried it all over but I am rinsing her with white vinegar after bathing. I also mix the white vinegar in her shampoo when I bath her. I've just started the baths and yogurt. Will let you know my success.
Rubbing Alcohol, Gentian Violet, Boric Acid
★★★★★
One of the vets. at our doctor's office gave me this recipe after asking if I would consider a holistic remedy for one of our dogs constant ear yeast problems. 16 oz. Rubbing Alcohol, 16 drops Gentian Violet,(health food store) 4 tablespoons Boric Acid powder(medicinal-pharmacy). Shake well each time used. I put some of the mixture in a dropper bottle and when needed warm up the mixture and put a good amount in each ear. Since Rubbing Alcohol stings "owies", if the ears are red and sore, I use the same recipe, but have substituted 16 oz. Witch Hazel for the Rubbing Alcohol (found this recipe on the internet somewhere) the rest the same of Gentian Violet and Boric Acid mixture, and then after ears not inflamed I go to the Rubbing Alcohol mixture every so often for ear maintenance. I cannot find Boric Acid powder in any of the USA drugstores. But you can get it in Canada from the pharmacist. I got a bottle of powder from Canada's IDA this summer. I think misuse of the Boric Acid that is used for roach poison has caused the medicinal Boric Acid to be yanked from over the counter sales in the USA. Growing up, Boric Acid was a staple in Mom's medicine cabinet for eye wash and a wash for scrapes and cuts, etc.
I was wondering if anyone knows if it would be o.k. to give my dog (107 lbs) baking soda and vinegar like I take. I was thinking maybe that would help with her yeast problem.
★★★★☆
My dog's skin has been repeatedly pink with bacterial and yeast infections. Has seasonal allergies. Has some food allergies. I feed her Simple Solutions dry rice and venison with some canned EVO 95% venison. She is 8 years old, black lab, weighs 74lbs. I saw some comments from TED, Thailand. My treatments were 1 tbl [???!] baking soda. Also, gave a ketachlor bath same day. Took her off Simple Solutions and fed her tilapia and the water it was cooked in. And, her skin cleared to normal. Don't know which remedy cleared her. Gave her Simple Solutions again but forgot to check skin first in case skin pink from seasonal allergies. Skin got pink again. My questions: (1) how long is it safe to give baking soda in water and (2) if I start a homecooked food can it be without liver and how much do I feed a dog of 74 lbs. How do I keep homecooked food nutritional?
EC: Thanks for your feedback. Can you please clarify your baking soda comments? Was this an internal or external remedy?
WARNING! If internal, 1/8 of a teaspoon is the serving size for people, so pets would be even less than that! https://www.earthclinic.com/remedies/baking_soda.html
The product nzymes is the greatest cure for systematic yeast infections you will ever find.
Medicated Shampoo
Hey Robert,
You might also consider the diet you feed when battling systemic yeast. If your diet is grain based you might want to switch to grain free as grain based diets have been directly linked to skin issues in dogs. Also, to fight the yeast from the inside out consider alkalizing the drinking water with baking soda, and also Ted's Borax protocol for dogs.
Yogurt, Omega Oils, Herbs
★★★★★
I stumbled across your website and am in shock. I don't know why I didn't google yeast infection in dogs after I finally found a vet who told me what my dogs problems REALLY were. But treatment was incomplete in that the vet never said change diet etc.
I am devastated now though in that I feel like I killed my bassett hound slowly. I fed him sweet treats and junk food (or he would get into a whole bag of candy or cookies), his dog food was cheap and his ears extra thick. The symptons he had are so EVERY BIT A YEAST INFECTION by what has been described here. Wow! (shaking head sadly from side to side and vowing never to fully trust a veterinarian's diagnoses or cures ever again). Instead of the yeast taking over his body and eventually initially killing my Gus I could have had him back as good as new... :-(
The good news is that I still have a female basset and she has been suffering too. Change in diet immediately and yogurt and vingegar and water are now the order of business. I can't wait to see my Sadie healthy and happy again.
I am so very glad I discovered this website. I know where to go for great information in the future. My animals are everything to me. It's past time I treated them better with a healthier diet and correct answers to any health issues. Thank You so much!
Yogurt, Omega Oils, Herbs
Hey Patty!
Thank you so much for pointing out that you really do need to feed a healthy diet and seek out the correct answers to any health issue! As a pet owner, it really is up to you to do this 'home work' to keep your pet well. Kudos!
I would also like to add, that while your vet could have advised you to change diet etc., that not all vets are well versed in understanding, much less treating, a systemic yeast infection. The **right** vet will pair with the owner to form a healing team. I hope you can find such a team player and thus create a trusting relationship and healing team for Sadie!
