Adventures in taming wild yeast

TatersMom · 10-20-2009, 04:10 PM

Hello. My shitzu has a problem and I'm hoping some of you fine people can help me help her. I adopted Tatertot a little over a year ago. She was in pretty bad shape when I got her and she's come a long way, but she's still not where she should be. She's 5 years old, spayed, and vaccinated. I'm concerned she has chronic yeast infections. Her ears, feet, snout, vulva, and back are constantly cycling between being infected, discolored, or itchy. The vet is continuously putting her on different antibiotics, ointments, wipes, and sprays. She gets groomed professionally every month, but she refuses to let me bathe her. When I try it's impossible to get all the shampoo off her and it's seems to encourage flare ups. The vet has confirmed yeast in her ears and on her vulva, but hasn't tried any other meds/routines since we've started seeing him. I did get a second opinion and was given different brand names of the same medicines which do not solve the problem.

After a few nights of internet research, I've come across several websites that clearly describe Tater's symptoms as chronic yeast. I was wondering if anyone has any products or routines they follow to help yeasty dogs? I found a website called http://www.greatdanelady.com/article...ini_course.htm that has a lot of information and seems to make sense, but I'm not sure how real it is. She offers a product system that supposedly solves yeast problems. I recently switched Tater to Spot's Stew chicken kibble and Canine Caviar canned food according to some of the guide lines on her website and I will be taking Tater in to get her Thyroid tested later this week. But, I don't want to order the product line until I hear other options. Right now Tater is in a sort of calm period, but I know it will be back with vengeance like it normally does.

Is there anyone who has had problems like this and know of something that helps? Do these 'yeast removal' kits actually work? Is there anything I should try first? I'm willing to try anything to help her get better. She gets so miserable when shes experiencing a flare up and its terrible not being able to help her.

Here's a picture of the the red color on her back about 4 months ago when I waited longer than normal to get her groomed. She's tan with black fringe on her ears and there is no red/rust color until it gets a certain length. Maybe this is normal coloring on her fur? It's the same color as the fur gets from her tears and on her feet, so I thought maybe it's the yeast as well. She can't reach that area with her mouth, so I don't know how it's getting moist enough to support any growth. She does not like water or baths and the groomer dries her completely anytime she gets bathed there.

If that doesn't work here's the direct link. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...0908_15241.jpg

Should I try the Yeast Removal kit listed on that website? Or any other advice I should try?

lulusmom · 10-20-2009, 06:25 PM

Have you taken your dog to a derm vet? If not, you may want to consider it. Persistent yeast infections or any kind of chronic infections are red flags that there may be an underlying condition that is suppressing the immune system. I fostered a little Shih Tzu that had massive infections, started with ringworms and then red mange (Demodex). Like yeast infections, the fur turns red. Hers was so bad that her skin and fur came off in sheets when bathed. She was ultimately diagnosed by a dermatologist with Cushing's Disease. Did your vet do a skin scrape to make sure that you aren't dealing with more than yeast?

MoosMom · 10-20-2009, 08:34 PM

I agree with lulusmom and also consider a grain free diet. I had a Yorkie that got chronic yeast problems because she had a food allergy. After about 3 months she was yeast free.

TxRider · 10-20-2009, 09:45 PM

Mine has problems on ears and feet. Same red fur. Vet screamed it and confirmed.

My vet thinks its secondary to an allergy issue.

Everything I hear is to try grain free food, and free of a few other things.

I'll be trying natures logic food starting in a couple of weeks. It's been recommended as a good one from some folks with similar issues so I guess I'll see eventually.

poodleholic · 10-21-2009, 06:08 AM

The staining is caused by your dog chewing herself; saliva will turn the coat reddish brown wherever the dog chews.

Putting a dog with yeast infections on an antibiotic is pretty stupid, since antibiotics trigger yeast infections (and make current worse), and do absolutely NOTHING to get rid of them.

You can do some simple things to change the ph internally and externally which won't cost you an arm and a leg in vet bills/medications. Yeast feeds on sugar of all forms. This includes sugar in corn, milk, carbohydrates, potatoes.....and many other things found in common dog food. Find a food with high protein, low carbs, and no grains.

Add plain yogurt (live culture) to the diet.

Acidophilus tablets.

Distilled water for drinking.

Put 1-2 Tblsp. of ACV (apple cider vinegar) in the drinking water. Best to use the unfiltered with the mother still in it (available in most health food stores).

Use white distilled vinegar in the final rinse after a bath Your groomer will do this for you - bring the vinegar w/you in case they don't have any.

In a spray bottle with 50/50 white distilled vinegar and distilled water, spray problem areas between baths.

Give Omega 3s - fish oil capsules.

TxRider · 10-21-2009, 09:42 AM

After reading and posting I decided to to go ahead and do what I have been needing to do and look over foods content more closely.

I think I am going to go with Innova Evo for food next instead of Nature's Logic.

My vet also has me rinsing inside Hope's ears with 50/50 white vinegar and water every 2 weeks. I believe I'll start doing her feet as well.

He has her on antibiotics, anti fungal, and predisone right now, as she has developed a deep nail bed bacterial infection secondary to a yeast infection.

I think the EVO looks like a food that might help, and hopefully that and doing her feet and ears with the white vinegar mix will be enough to manage it. The vet bills are getting out of hand.

I have heard also of a 50/50 vinegar rinse of the whole body as well.

Though I also read this yeast is normal on all dogs, and it just usually gets out of hand if the dog has an allergy or immune system issue. So I don't think it's something you can get rid of, just help the dog to stay in better shape so it can't get past their immune defenses.

Hope that helps and gives some ideas.

What is with the specific yogurt bacteria? I have been using a dog probiotic with quite different bacteria in it. Does it matter?

SupaSweet777 · 10-22-2009, 01:30 AM

The greatdanelady is AMAZING! I had a lot of interaction with her through emails when it came to Jhazmyns yeast issues. She is very quick to answer emails alsos. The products she offers are great, kinda costly if you have a bigger dog but great.

hrcamacho · 10-22-2009, 08:27 PM

We have battled with my brittany over yeast and ear infections. Because he can chew on his butt if it gets to bothering him, it just makes everything worse. After changing his diet, doing prednisone and antibiotics, we also did diflucan, an antifungal (yeast is a fungas). I came across this recipe on natural remedies site: 16 oz peroxide, 8tbls Borax Laundry soap, 4 C water. Mix this up in a big jug (you can cut it to half if u need to). Give your pooch a bath, rinse well, and then pour this over him as a rinse. Do not rinse with water. The peroxide and water elps cleanse any open sores, and the borax is soothing. You can also make a paste out of the borax, and peroxide and add vaseline. My Clay is like a different dog. I use the paste on him when his rear is extremely inflamed. It soothes, and keeps him from digging, and protects and seals, and doesn't allow the yeast to continue to breed. Only thing is with the vaseline, be careful that they don't lick it. Although it won't really hurt them, it will give an upset belly and diarreah. Definitely see the vet and push for blood work. You need to find out in there is an underlying condition that can be causing this, and go from there. Hope this helps.

yappypappymom · 10-22-2009, 09:25 PM

Awww...Poor little Tatertot

I am not a Vet, but..I would seriously consider you visiting a NEW one in exchange for your current vet!!..since your vet has CONFIRMED that it is indeed "yeast", as poodleholic already mentioned-antibiotics CONTRIBUTE to yeast infections...the antibiotics kill all bacteria in the body-including the "good" bacterias that help control yeast, which is present inside of ALL mammals. As the bacterias are being killed off by the antibiotics, the yeast then begin to grow & multiply because there is nothing keeping them "in check" - it begins what can become a viscious cycle...by all means, unless she(Tatertot) is taking those meds. for reasons OTHER than the vet prescribing them for the yeast(tut-tut..shakes head)..I would discontinue giving those right off, & go to the market, & get a lg. tub of plain ole yogurt(make sure it contains & states that it has active, LIVE "cultures"/enzymes***very important***) to help to restore the GOOD bacteria back into her system ASAP(another thing the yogurt will help with is it will help neutralize the acid in her saliva to help some in the staining department)...acidophilus is also available in pet stores too, as well as most other stores...another thing to help naturally, surprisingly is papaya(they make these in chew-tabs as well)...

Granted, many can take antibiotics & NEVER suffer side effects, but; to the the ones that get caught up in this cycle, well...Yikes!!!

My good luck & wishes go out to Tatertot!!

TxRider · 10-23-2009, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yappypappymom

Awww...Poor little Tatertot

I am not a Vet, but..I would seriously consider you visiting a NEW one in exchange for your current vet!!..since your vet has CONFIRMED that it is indeed "yeast", as poodleholic already mentioned-antibiotics CONTRIBUTE to yeast infections...the antibiotics kill all bacteria in the body-including the "good" bacterias that help control yeast, which is present inside of ALL mammals. As the bacterias are being killed off by the antibiotics, the yeast then begin to grow & multiply because there is nothing keeping them "in check" - it begins what can become a viscious cycle...by all means, unless she(Tatertot) is taking those meds. for reasons OTHER than the vet prescribing them for the yeast(tut-tut..shakes head)..I would discontinue giving those right off, & go to the market, & get a lg. tub of plain ole yogurt(make sure it contains & states that it has active, LIVE "cultures"/enzymes***very important***) to help to restore the GOOD bacteria back into her system ASAP(another thing the yogurt will help with is it will help neutralize the acid in her saliva to help some in the staining department)...acidophilus is also available in pet stores too, as well as most other stores...another thing to help naturally, surprisingly is papaya(they make these in chew-tabs as well)...

Granted, many can take antibiotics & NEVER suffer side effects, but; to the the ones that get caught up in this cycle, well...Yikes!!!

My good luck & wishes go out to Tatertot!!

Could be there is a bacterial infection as well. Mine started as a yeast problem, that allowed bacteria to flourish and start an infection as well.

But she's on both an anti fungal and an anti bacterial together. After 2-3 weeks now she seems to be feeling markedly better and looking better as well.

MaddiesMom · 10-23-2009, 02:40 PM

When we first got Maddie we had a case of yeast in her ears. I took her to the vet and got the ears cleaned out and some cream for them. He also gave me a bottle of cleaner to keep the ears clean. I clean them at least once a month.

I also look up on here for some home cures. I have to say the apple cider vinegar - the stuff with the mother still in it WORKS WONDERS! We have never had another flare-up of yeast again. Which is amazing because Pugs can have issues of yeast in their face folds.

I recommend the apple cider vinegar to anyone I know who has a dog with yeast issues. I also recommend a grain-free diet also. The yeast loves sugar and I feel grains have enough sugar for the yeast to party hardy on.