You probably know humans can get yeast infections, but did you know dogs can as well? If your dog is rubbing their ear or skin a lot, they could have a yeast infection. Here’s what you need to know about yeast infections in dogs:

What is a Yeast Infection?

Fungal organisms are the culprit behind yeast infections. These organisms are typically found on most skin, including dogs. Typically, they don’t cause problems. However, there are times when yeast overgrows and causes infections. This can happen if a dog has a weakened immune system or has another health issue, meaning yeast infections are secondary to that illness.

What Causes Yeast Infections in Dogs?

Yeast infections are a common skin problem in dogs. There are several potential causes of yeast infections in dogs. Here are a few of the most common causes:

Malassezia

Malassezia is a type of yeast that is most often the cause of these infections. This organism grows on the skin in warm and moist areas, such as the ears or the groin. Yeast infections may be why your dog is so itchy and you may see the skin become thick or discolored.

Water in the Ear Canal

Ears can be especially susceptible to yeast infections if water gets into the canal during bathing or swimming. Make sure to dry your dog’s ears well to prevent infection.

Fleas, Mites, and Other Skin Parasites

Another cause of yeast infections is skin parasites, like fleas and mites. These pesky parasites cause dogs to excessively scratch or paw at their skin, which can potentially break or damage the normal skin barrier.

This is why it’s important to protect your dog from fleas. Some mites cause Sarcoptic Mange which if left untreated is the perfect breeding ground for yeast infections. This is something you should know about mange as it can be a common condition.

Are Yeast Infections in Dogs Contagious?

Thankfully, yeast infections are not contagious to other dogs or to humans. Because these infections are complications of a primary underlying illness like hyperkeratosis or a compromised immune system, this infection can’t be passed on. However, if the underlying condition is contagious, you should do your best to keep dogs separated until the condition is cleared up.

If you suspect your dog has a yeast infection, you should make an appointment with your vet as soon as possible. These infections are not life-threatening, but they need treatment to keep the infection from getting worse.

Yeast infections may make your dog feel very uncomfortable, which can cause lethargy and a lack of appetite. These are symptoms you should never ignore in your dog and you should call your vet promptly.

3 Main Types of Yeast Infections in Dogs

Yeast infections will be found in different skin areas. The areas that are the most common are the ears, paws, and armpits. This infection can also be found around the vulva, groin, and among skin folds. There are three main types of yeast infections found in dogs to be aware of:

Ears

Ear infections are a common health problem in dogs. If your dog has a yeast infection of the ear, you will notice a strong odor and brownish discharge will come from the ear. If your dog has this infection, you will observe them scratching their ears frequently and shaking their heads or tilting their heads a lot. Sometimes this ear yeast infection is called yeast otitis.

While any dog can get a yeast infection in their ear, breeds like Basset Hounds that have big or long ears are much more likely to develop yeast infections in the ear. This is due to a larger amount of skin and moisture in the area, making it a perfect breeding ground for the organism. This is why it’s important to know how to clean your dog’s ears properly.

Paws

Environmental factors are most often the cause of yeast infections found in a dog’s paws, especially allergies to grass. They also can occur on the paws because dogs frequently chew or lick their paws, which can cause sores to develop on the paws.

Skin

Yeast dermatitis is a broad categorization of a yeast infection found anywhere on the skin. Dermatitis is swollen or inflamed skin and is often the result of allergies. A weakened immune system may also result in dermatitis.

Dermatitis can affect any part of the dog’s skin but is most common in areas like the armpits, groin, and vulva. In females, yeast infections in this area can cause vaginitis. Skin folds are also common places for dermatitis. Dogs with yeast dermatitis will emit a musty odor from the area. They’ll also have a greasy coat, flaky or thickened skin, as well as hair loss.

Symptoms of Yeast Infections in Dogs

If your dog has a yeast infection, the signs and symptoms will depend on the area that is affected:

Ears (Yeast Otitis)

Symptoms of a yeast infection of the ear can include your dog shaking or tilting their head frequently. You may see repeated scratching or pawing at the ear. Brownish and thick discharge will be secreted from the ear along with a strong odor as well. Yeast infections can be one of the reasons your dog smells bad. Your dog’s ear canals may show signs of inflammation and look red.

Paws

If a yeast infection is present in a dog’s paws, symptoms will often include fur and skin discoloration that is brownish, which may be found between the toes. Their paw pads will have red spots that feel moist and your dog will most likely lick and chew their paws excessively

Skin (Yeast Dermatitis)

A dog with a skin yeast infection will exhibit symptoms of very itchy skin with repeated licking or scratching of the infected spot. Their coat may be greasy and their skin will have red bumps, like hot spots. You may also notice a strong odor coming from the infected site

If you notice any of these symptoms in your dog, give your vet a call. They’ll evaluate your dog, check for any potential underlying causes, and get your dog on any treatment plans.

How Do Veterinarians Diagnose Yeast Infections?

There are a few different ways a vet will diagnose a yeast infection. Before testing, they’ll compile a comprehensive medical history. This typically includes when the onset of symptoms began, any medications your dog is taking, and any previously diagnosed conditions.

After this history is gathered, a full physical exam is performed to assess your dog’s health. Blood work may also be done to check for any abnormalities. Depending on what your veterinarian finds, there may be additional testing which can include:

• Culture: Your vet will swab the affected area and then the swab is sent to a lab for testing to identify the specific organism.
• Cytology: Similar to a culture, a cotton swab collects a sample from the affected area of the skin. That swab is then rubbed onto a microscope slide and examined under a microscope to see if yeast is present.
• Skin biopsy: In cases of chronic infections or resistance to treatment, a tiny sample of skin is taken and sent to a lab for more detailed testing.
• Tape impression: This test uses a piece of clear tape that is then pressed to the affected area of the skin to get a sample. The sample is then looked at under a microscope to see if any yeast can be identified.

How to Treat Yeast Infections in Dogs

The treatment plans for yeast infections in dogs will depend on where the infection is and how severe it is. These treatments include oral medications, topical treatment, or a combination of both.

1. Oral Medications

Yeast infections that are recurrent or chronic may require oral antifungal medications. If yeast dermatitis is present, the dog may also have pyoderma and antibiotics will be necessary to treat the infection for up to a few months. These antifungal medications include ingredients like ketoconazole and fluconazole.

While these treatments are effective, your dog will need to take them for several months. These drugs do have potentially serious side effects and can be hard on the liver. Because of this, your dog will need to be checked frequently, often through blood tests.

If the infection relapses after the first round of successful treatment, your dog may need to go on a stronger dose of the same medication. Typically, both oral and topical treatments are used for dogs suffering from severe or chronic yeast dermatitis. Medications like corticosteroids help reduce inflammation and itchiness while the antifungal medications start to work.

2. Topical Treatments

Medicated shampoos are one of the most popular and effective ways to treat yeast infections. Initial cleansing using a shampoo with selenium sulfide or benzoyl peroxide is often necessary in dogs that have greasy skin.

Once they’ve had the initial cleansing, there is a follow-up bath with an antifungal shampoo. These shampoos contain ingredients such as chlorhexidine, miconazole, or ketoconazole. Antifungal shampoos need to stay on the dog’s skin for at least ten minutes. To be the most effective, anti-fungal shampoos are typically required every 3 to 5 days for up to twelve weeks.

A topical ointment may be prescribed for daily use for infections only in the ears or one or two spots on the skin. It’s important to clean your dog’s ears regularly, but it’s especially important if they have a yeast infection. Yeast infections affecting your dog’s paws may be treated with medicated antifungal wipes and oral medications.

Prognosis of Yeast Infections in Dogs

The prognosis for yeast infections is typically pretty positive. Yeast infections may require long-term treatment but most cases start to clear up within a week or two.

If your dog has any underlying allergies or is immunocompromised, they may have a prognosis dependent on how medication or other treatments can improve those issues. If your dog has seasonal allergies that seem to cause yeast infections, be sure to wipe them down when they come inside. Doing this is a great way to help your dog survive seasonal allergies.

Dogs that have severe year-round allergies may experience secondary yeast or bacterial skin infections as often as two or three times a year. In this case, your veterinarian will develop a detailed plan for managing your dog’s condition.

This is just an overview of what you need to know about yeast infections in dogs. With the right treatment, your dog should be feeling less itchy in no time!