A Guide To Yeast Infections In Dogs
Yeast is a natural part of your dog’s coat and fur. It is completely harmless and even unnoticeable on its regular amount.
However, a yeast buildup may cause serious damage to your dog’s skin that may even trigger other serious diseases. This is why every dog owner should be aware of yeast infection.
What is a yeast infection?
A yeast infection often happens in humid areas of a dog’s body, such as their ears, paws, and skin foldings. These areas tend to be clogged with moisture which becomes a breeding ground for fungi such as yeast.
Mild yeast infection isn’t that harmful and could easily be addressed with proper hygiene. However, extreme cases may cause itchiness that may damage the skin of your dog.
Furthermore, the irritation brought by yeast infection can cause unruly behaviour, a decrease of appetite, and lethargy. If not resolved, it could even lead to more serious bacterial infections.
What are the symptoms of yeast infection?
Yeast infection starts with crusty and flaky patches on the skin. This can be really itchy for dogs, and they will surely scratch it with their sharp nails. This will then cause more irritation such as redness, inflammation, sores, pimples, and wounds.
Alopecia can also be caused by yeast infection. This is why if you notice excessive shedding on your dogs, especially if they have thick fur, it’s best that you check for other signs of yeast infection.
Yeast infection in the ear can also bring yellow and green gooey discharge. This may cause smelly ears. When untreated, it may even lead to deafness. The irritated and flaky patches on dogs’ skin and paws could have a pungent smell, too.
How to treat yeast infection in dogs?
Proper hygiene is imperative in treating dogs with yeast infections. Your veterinarian will recommend a medicated moisturizing shampoo and a coat spray with essential oils. In extreme cases, they may also give you oral and topical antibiotics.
While treating the yeast infection, it is also best to boost your dog’s health through a balanced diet and regular exercise. You can help your dog exercise better with joint supplements that keep them feeling healthy. To start off, you can look for dog treats with rich amounts of caprylic acid which is known to fight fungal infections.
It is also recommended that you give your dogs multivitamins. Not only can they reduce the risk of the symptoms of yeast infection, but they can also prevent it from happening again.
Supplements with skin nutrients like Vitamin E and Collagen will greatly help in the healing process of the wounds and hair regrowth. They can also bring back the beauty of your dog’s coat and skin.
On the other hand, dog supplements with Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Mixed Tocopherols, and Manganese can help you rebuild and strengthen your dogs’ immune system. These nutrients will make them less susceptible to other bacterial infections.
Caring for your dog’s coat and skin is important for optimal health. So the next time you neglect proper hygiene, you might want to go back to the risks of yeast infection.
