Yeast (Candida) Infections in Dogs
What are Yeast (Candida) Infections?
The fungus Candida albicans occurs naturally in your dog's body and is kept in check by "good" bacteria. Yeast infections in dogs most often occur when the immune system is suppressed due to medication or an underlying condition.
Yeast infections may affect the ears, skin, paws, and other areas. Treatment is usually straightforward and involves topical medications or oral antifungals.
Yeast infections can range from mild to severe. Some dogs are more sensitive and prone to developing yeast infections than others. If you notice your dog exhibiting unusual behaviors or excessively licking and biting a specific area of their body, take them to the vet.
You'll find several home remedies on the internet for yeast infections in dogs. However, many of these remedies are not backed by medical research and may end up worsening your dog's condition. Consult your vet before administering any treatments at home.
Yeast (Candida) Infections Average Cost
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Average Cost
$500

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Symptoms of Yeast (Candida) Infections in Dogs
Symptoms of yeast infection in dogs can manifest in a variety of ways. Symptoms may include:
  • Yellow, brown, or black buildup of debris in one or both ears
  • Excessive shaking of the head
  • Excessive scratching of the ears or other places on the body
  • Hot spots
  • Skin rashes and infections
  • Excessive licking of the paws, legs, tail, or other areas
  • Dull or greasy coat
  • Hair loss
  • Odor
Causes of Yeast (Candida) Infections in Dogs
Many environmental and biological factors can cause a yeast infection, including:
  • Humid environments
  • Skin folds
  • Skin diseases
  • Bacterial infections
  • Medications or conditions that suppress the immune system
Some breeds have a higher risk of developing yeast infections, including, but not limited to:
  • Golden Retrievers
  • Shih Tzus
  • Basset Hounds
Please note this isn't a complete list. Any breed with excess skin folds is more prone to developing a yeast infection. Curious about whether your dog might be predisposed? Consult your vet or chat with a vet now.
There's a common misconception that antibiotics cause yeast infections. This isn't necessarily true — there is a correlation, but not causality. Taking antibiotics for an extended period of time can reduce the "good" bacteria that usually regulates yeast populations in the body. This reduction allows the yeast populations to grow, which causes an infection.
Diagnosis of Yeast (Candida) Infections in Dogs
Your vet will perform a thorough physical examination to assess the severity of the condition. Tell your vet about any symptoms you've observed, as well as any pre-existing conditions and current medications.
To rule out other bacterial and fungal infections, your vet may swab or take a skin scraping from the affected area. This process is known as cytology. The vet will then examine the sample under a microscope to confirm that Candida is causing the infection.
Treatment of Yeast (Candida) Infections in Dogs
The treatment will vary depending on the location and severity of the condition. Topical treatments are usually the first line of defense for yeast infections in dogs. Your vet may prescribe a medicated ointment, ear drops, spray, or shampoo. Bathing your dog with antifungal shampoo can also help prevent future yeast infections, especially in dogs that are predisposed to them. Never use antifungal shampoos or topical treatments designed for human use on your dog unless explicitly instructed to do so by your vet.
If your dog's infection doesn't respond to these treatments, your vet will prescribe an oral antifungal like ketoconazole in conjunction with topical treatments. It can take up to two weeks to start seeing an improvement in your dog's condition. Oral antifungal treatment typically lasts up to four weeks.

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Recovery of Yeast (Candida) Infections in Dogs
With prompt treatment, the prognosis is typically good. With the proper treatment, dogs suffering from dermatitis resulting from a yeast infection typically recover fully within four weeks.
Your vet may schedule a follow-up appointment to assess your dog's recovery progress. Let your vet know if your dog's symptoms aren't improving or start getting worse. Be sure to follow all treatment guidelines exactly to prevent a future flare-up.
If your dog suffers from chronic yeast infections, talk to your vet about prevention and treatment options.
Yeast (Candida) Infections Average Cost
From 504 quotes ranging from $300 - $700
Average Cost
$500
Top
Yeast (Candida) Infections Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
Mix
Joey
7 Months

11 found this helpful

11 found this helpful

My pet has the following symptoms:
Loss Of Fur And Scabby ( Back)
Hi my dog is 7 months old and he has a scabby back and also loss of fur in his back and he scratches his back . Could this be yeast (Candida) infection ? Greetings
March 25, 2018
11 Recommendations
Candida is more of a wet than dry condition; if you are noticing what appears to be scabs it may be due to other infections, parasitic mites, hormonal conditions, seborrhoea, chemical irritation among other causes. You should really visit your Veterinarian for a skin scraping to check for parasites and a general examination to determine a cause since treatment is different for each cause. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
March 25, 2018
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Labrador Retriever
daisy
8 Years

1 found this helpful

1 found this helpful

My pet has the following symptoms:
Head Shaking
Hi, I have a white lab about 8 years old and she has scaby/scaly skin and crusty nipples. She also has goopy ears. we have taken her to the vet and they told us that it wasn’t a yeast infection. What else could it be?
Dec. 11, 2017
1 Recommendations
Crusty nipples may just be due to a normal waxy discharge, the scaly skin may be due to infections, parasites, hormonal conditions, seborrhoea among other causes; if there is a discharge from the ears you should clean them out with an ear cleaner from the pet shop and bathe Daisy with a sensitive shampoo. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
Dec. 11, 2017
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Yeast (Candida) Infections Average Cost
From 504 quotes ranging from $300 - $700
Average Cost
$500

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