Introduction
Yeast infections of the skin of dogs are common, but thankfully treatable. The most frequent yeast culprit is Malassezia. Only a veterinarian can assess the infection and prescribe appropriately tailored treatments to eliminate the yeast overgrowth, reduce the dog’s discomfort, manage or eliminate secondary bacterial infections and reduce the chances of reinfection. Prescription treatments for yeast infection include: oral anti-fungal medications, medicated shampoos, addressing the underlying cause of the infection and medicated wipes which can help manage isolated flair ups.
Treating Yeast Infections in Dogs
The goals of treating cutaneous canine yeast infections are to eliminate clinical signs by reducing causative yeast and bacterial numbers, eliminating pruritus (itchiness), identifying and treating any predisposing factors, and using appropriate topical shampoos and other treatments to address the scaling, exudation and odor.
Systemic prescription anti-fungal medications may be warranted in severe cases of yeast infection, or in those cases that do not respond appropriately to other therapies. Currently, Ketoconazole, Itraconazole, Fluconazole and Tervinafine have been used with some success as multi-week oral treatments. In these more severe cases, secondary bacterial Staphylococcal skin infections are often present. In those cases, oral antibiotics at an appropriate dose and duration should be added to the treatment protocol.
In mild to severe cases, topical antiseborrheic, antibiotic and/or antiyeast solutions should be used. Depending upon the formulation (medicated shampoos, solutions, lotions, sprays, wipes or powders), these will be applied daily or several times per week. Your veterinarian is in the best position to advise you as to the best treatment options for your dog.
Of course, addressing and resolving the underlying cause of a yeast infection is the best way to manage its course. As Malassezia is a normal inhabitant of canine skin, the signs caused by “infection” with this yeast occur when the organism overgrows abnormally. This often is caused by some type of immunosuppression in affected dogs, which can be caused by allergies to food, chemicals or parasites. Removal of the offending allergen and treatment of the yeast overgrowth usually resolve the clinical signs.