Help! My Dog Is Fifteen Years Old, and His Yeast Infection Won't Go Away

Help! My Dog Is Fifteen Years Old, and His Yeast Infection Won't Go Away
"My long-haired dachshund has a very bad yeast infection on his skin and seemingly in his eyes. It is not on his feet or in his ears. He is 15 and has somewhat elevated liver enzymes. I believe his immune system is failing. I have tried every kind of shampoo—prescription and OTC—Zymox enzymatic hydrocortisone spray, colloidal silver, and salves from the vet. He eats a raw diet. I supplement him with kelp, nutritional yeast, MCT oil, probiotics, medicinal mushrooms, and beef organs. He has been unresponsive to all interventions. All his hair is falling out, and his skin is very crusty and painful. He doesn't even want me to touch him, so I know he is in great discomfort. I have been treating him for this for about a month, and there has been no change at all. If anything, he is getting worse. I am desperate. He has NEVER had a problem with his skin before. He smells like corn chips, so I know it's yeast, and the vet says it is also."
width= Photo: YouTube/Dogs Naturally Magazine

You can understand the desperation of this dog owner, named Karin, who wrote to PetHelful for expert advice. After all, we love our dogs like family. We don't want them to suffer like this, and just because of yeast infection.
According to VCA Animal Hospitals, "Yeast dermatitis or Malassezia dermatitis is caused by the fungus Malassezia pachydermatis. It is an extremely common cause of skin disease in dogs. This yeast is normally found on the skin, but its abnormal overgrowth can cause dermatitis, or inflammation of the skin."
width= Photo: YouTube/Dogs Naturally Magazine

In his reply to Karin, Dr. Mark dos Anjos discussed an at-home treatment for yeast infection in dogs. It's a natural treatment that consists of "a medicated shampoo in order to remove the excessive crust, vinegar to acidify the skin, and coconut oil to improve the health of the bacterial layer on the surface of the skin."
When using this natural treatment, you need to know how to give a medicated bath to a dog.
The dog's diet also needs to change. Avoid starchy and sugary foods, which can worsen the infection. Probiotics, herbs, and lean meat protein are good choices.
width= Photo: YouTube/Dogs Naturally Magazine

But, based on Dr. dos Anjos's interpretation of Karin's message, she has already tried at-home treatments; that's why the wisest thing to do is to take her dog to a dermatologist for thorough skin examination.
Dr. dos Anjos also added, "If you do not have a dermatologist available to examine his skin condition, you can try taking him off any corticosteroids (both oral and topical, like the Zymox spray) and administering the yeast treatment in the article above for at least 3 weeks. If he does not respond, give a trial of ketoconazole for at least several months (and even up to a year if he is responding). Ketoconazole does have potential side effects, so I think it would be best to try the natural treatment first."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HaFtCjseG_E
Doris de Luna

For more than 20 years now, I’ve been devoting my heart, energy, and time to fulfilling my dream, which – many people may agree – is not among the easiest aspirations in life. Part of my happiness is having been able to lend a hand to many individuals, companies, and even governments as an investigative journalist, creative writer, TV director, and radio broadcaster.


At home, I spend my free time learning how to cook various cuisines. Tiramisu, chocolate mousse, and banoffee pie are my favorite desserts. Playing with our dogs, Mushu and Jerusalem, is also a special part of my day. And, of course, I read a lot – almost anything under the sun. But what really makes me feel alive is meeting people from various walks of life and writing about their stories, which echo with the tears and triumph of an unyielding spirit, humanity, and wisdom.

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