Yeast Infection

Yeast infection, also known as Malassezia Pachydermatis is a yeast normally found in the external ear canals, body and especially moist skin folds. Skin disease occurs when there is a hypersensitivity reaction to the organisms or a cutaneous overgrowth. High humidity and temperature also play an important part

• Unpleasant body odor
• Hyperpigmentation (blackish skin) and epidermal thickening (chronic cases)
• Loss of hair
• Greasiness
• Scaly, crusty and/or flaky skin
• Itching and redness

• Fungal culture
• Skin Scrape
• Tape preparation

For mild cases, topical therapy alone is often effective. Bathe with anti-fungal shampoo or application of cream for a period of 2-4 weeks. For moderate to severe cases, the use of oral or systemic anti-fungal medications is often required. Many dogs with yeast dermatitis will also have a bacterial skin infection (pyoderma) and will require antibiotics to treat the bacterial infection for typically four to twelve weeks. Oral anti-fungal medications include ketoconazole, itraconazole and fluconazole. Although these medications are highly effective, they must be given for prolonged periods of time (often several months). These drugs do have some potential side effects, particularly involving the liver that require them to be closely monitored by routine blood tests. If the dog has a relapse of the fungal infection after an initial successful treatment, a higher dose of the antifungal medication will usually be required. Most dogs with advanced or chronic Malassezia dermatitis are treated with a combination of oral and topical treatment.