[anonymous]

Not just opinion, a scientific fact. Natural flea/tick remedies do not work.

Ps: Wondercide stinks! I’ve used it in the past and found it to be ineffective, same with the brewers yeast and garlic supplements.

Believe what you want.

[Susan]

Hi Term,
normally when a dog has food sensitivities they will have environment allergies as well, my boy has Seasonal Environment Allergies, he’s bad in Spring, Summer & Autumn finally Winter we get a break, as long as he doesn’t eat any foods he’s sensitive too, he has food sensitivities to chicken, barley, beef, carrots, oats & probably more foods but it takes a while to do an elimination diet, it’s very time consuming, I tested a few foods when I did his elimination diet, mainly tested foods that are in kibbles like potatoes, sweet potatoes, broccoli, peas, pork & the foods I mentioned above that he reacted too, food sensitivities can take 1 day up to 6 weeks to show a reaction…
I have tried the Wellness, Complete Health, Whitefish & Sweet Potatoes & Wellness, Simple Lamb & Oats, Duck & Oats, I needed a lower Kcal per cup kibble cause Patch also has IBD, the Salmon & Potatoes was too high in Kcals for Patch but that’s the one I’d try if I were you…stick with limited ingredient fish kibbles & other novel proteins like Pork, Kangaroo, Venison, Rabbit, at first Patch seem fine for the first 2 weeks while eating both of the Wellness formulas I mentioned then week 3 he started to have sloppy yellow poos & itchy lower back & bum, I think the probiotics in the Wellness didn’t agree with Patch stomach/small bowel the yellow poo is the small bowel reacting…& he was reacting to the Barley in the Whitefish & Sweet potato formula causing his itchy smelly yeasty skin & rubbing his bum on the carpet…”Sudocrem” cream is EXCELLENT when they have itchy skin, back, stomach, paws & itchy bum & bum surf on the carpet….
I would have a look at “Canidae” Pure Formulas, they have the matching wet food as well, for later on to try to see if your dog still reacts to a wet tin food, have a look at the Pure Sea kibble it’s excellent for skin problems, the omega 3 in nice & high what’s needed for skin problems & look at their new Pure Wild Boar kibble, the fat & protein is a bit lower in the Pure Wild then the Pure Sea, another really good kibble a few people say they use for their itchy dogs with food sensitivities is Zignature Kangaroo, Zignature Salmon or Whitefish they all have the matching wet tin food…. Zignature is potato free…
Next time instead of using the Apoquel ask vet/Dermatologist about the new CADI injections, the injections can last anywhere from 2 weeks up to 4 months depends on the dog…. also Baths, make sure your doing weekly baths in the hotter months, baths wash off any allergens & pollens on the skin & fur, relieving the dogs itch, I use “Malaseb” medicated shampoo on Patch, Malaseb can be used daily if needed….
Once you work out what your dog is sensitive too with food, do weekly baths, feed a diet high in omega 3 you will see a big improvement with your dog, if not then make appointment to see a Dermatologist vet & go from there, if you need any further help join this Facebook group, “Dog issues, allergies and other information support group”… a lot of information & help in this group…
Canidae – http://www.canidae.com/dog-food/products
Zignature – http://zignature.com/?page_id=333&lang=en

[Erika I]

Thank you Anon101 for your help! I will try taking her into a veterinary dermatologist. I thought it was a major yeast infection but maybe it’s this hyperpigmentation. I was hoping the switch in foods would help but I think now it might be something she’s allergic to. Her itchiness and hair loss subsided for a month or so but now its back.

[Erika I]

Thank you so much for help Leelina! I found that video super helpful and I am going to follow that recipe. I switched her over to ground turkey and she is doing so much better! thank you again for your advice:)

One other question I would like to put out there is about hair loss. She is losing small patches of hair and the skin underneath is a gray color. Is this yeast that is still dying off or is it a sign of malnutrition? I have taken her to our vet and they are not sure what it is. she is at a healthy weight and acting her happy normal self. Has anyone ever dealt with this issue? I should also add that she is super itchy!
Thanks for the help!

• This reply was modified 8 years, 8 months ago by Erika I.

[Amy W]

I use Malaseb shampoo, twice a week. It is a prescription from our derm vet. (My dog is very yeasty, and allergic to her own yeast… in addition to her other environmental allergies:)

[Jazzlover]

My question was directed to Amy, “which shampoo are your using?” I have one I use that is antimicro and antimacro. I feel as if those w/ oatmeal (which as Holistic vet Dr. Karen Becker states not to use for does w/ yeast issues.) made Jazz more itchy.

[deanne w]

Hi, i have just come across this site. We purchased a very thin gsd 2 year old that we assumed they hadnt fed her. But after us feeding her she had constant very very runny water diarrhea with blood in it, constantly vomitting and rapid weight loss. After vet examinations and a biopsy she had ibd. Extremely sad. Looked everywhere for advice. I see many people are trying there ibd dogs on say potatoe, duck and a 3rd item. My advice is try to do 1 food at a time.
We had no idea what food she was allergic too so we put her on vet dry food bag called anallergenic in the meantime. We did try hypo-allergenic first but immediately had the runs and blood flowed from her for hours.

I now have had her on raw 4 paws dog food, i tried the turkey first (nothing else! no pills from vets or anything) Well my gs is happy healthy full of life and has gained 10kg.I am trying the roo next. What a difference. Then ill try the potatoe duck. Eventually my dog will have several different options to eat.

I know any supermarket food inflames her bowels immediately, chicken, any meat in there is bad.
Raw 4 Paws is a premium quality, natural, complete and healthy raw diet for dogs.
Raw 4 Paws is grain, yeast and dairy free – to minimize allergy tendencies. All ingredients sourced for the production of this amazing product is fit for human consumption, and contains no added preservatives, artifical colours or flavours, chemicals or fillers.
100% Australian – made, sourced and owned.
We love Raw 4 Paws, and are certain you will too.
Just google this and give it a go–im certainly glad i did.

[InkedMarie]

I’d avoid foods with white & sweet potatoes, if you can. I have a yeasty dog and he finally cleared up on raw.

Good luck!

[Leslie W]

Potatoes, peas, carrots create “sugars” thus you have the creation of itchy yeast. Definately look for something without the potatoes and low to no peas or carrots.

[zcRiley]

Switch immediately to Zignature kibble, different formulas, proven for allergy prone pets. Anything Potatoes exacerbates yeast issues. Do not wait and stop the mess. Your vet should know better.

[Cheryl S]

I am feeding Bear, 10 1/2 year-old Black Lab, Rachel Rays’ ZERO GRAIN Beef, Potato and Bison dry food. He is also taking APOQUEL for allergies. I would like to try another dog food to see if I can wean him off the allergy pills. They cost $61 per month and I would rather avoid medication if possible. His allergies cause ear yeast infections and some licking, I would judge the licking at 60 out of 100 before he started Apoquel. These symptoms are usually food related according to my research. Any thoughts ? Thank you 🙂

[Susan W]

Hi!
I have a Golden who has had on-going issues with yeast. 1) Feed a good quality food and ONLY that food. My girl eats VeRUS’ Advanced Opticoat, which is a cold-water fish based food. (VeRUS will send you samples if you contact them!); 2) Do a search for Nzymes – on the surface, it looks like expesive stuff, but it’s working so it’s worth it; 3) Mix water & vinegar & treat the paws, ‘armpits,’ and genitals frequently with the mixture. I just use a washcloth and rub it in a little; 4) The DerMagic website has a LOT of great information and remedies; 5) I have a dog blog called DogsBeCause – you’ll find some help and some links there.

[Noel T]

After finding Nutrisca dog food on this website, I have been feeding it to both my dogs and love it. Unfortunately, my local store has stopped carrying it and can only find it through ordering. Does anyone have any recommendations on food comparable. Protein was 36, fat 20, and carbs 36. I have a lab who gets really bad yeast in her ears and paws. Due to the low carbs/starch this is the only food I have found so far that clears it up.

[Susan W]

VeRUS has never had a recall & I think they have a new grain-free recipe. They’ll send you free samples, too, so you can try it first. You may have to order it & have it auto-shipped, but PetFlow.com is awesome & makes it easy.
Also, tho, have you considered your dog’s issues might not be allergies? Maybe yeast overgrowth? Lots of itchiness, rust-colored areas around the paw pads & genitals? Funky smell in the heat of the summer? If you answered yes, you’ll probably want to do some research on yeast overgrowth in dogs. Otherwise, give VeRUS a gander.

[Susan W]

Have you considered that your dog may have yeast overgrowth? One of my dogs was so itchy and stinky & after doing some reading, I discovered that she has a yeast overgrowth. The DERMagic website has a LOT of great information on the symptoms of yeast overgrowth.
My recommendation for food is VeRUS. Do a google search for VeRUS Pet Foods. If you fill out the contact form, they’ll email you back, ask some q’s, and send you free samples. I LOVE this because coupons for a few dollars off are useless if your dog doesn’t like the food. My yeasty girl is doing really well on this food (better now that I’ve stopped feeding her MilkBones – duh!).
Finally, if you’re worried about fleas, FOOD GRADE DE powder will help with them. Just dust your dog with the powder occasionally & you won’t have problems with fleas. Might work on the horses, too, if they suffer from small biting insects.

[myfourmutts]

Rebecca, I’m so glad this thread helped you and your dog!! Wishing you and your dog many happy, healthy, yeast-free (ha!) years together! *hugs*

[Rebecca S]

This is a thank-you post to myfourmutts! What a blessing your posts have been. I was really shocked at how little information is available about yeast infections in dogs. Like your parents, I needed a simple solution; It was unrealistic to try making my dachshund’s food from scratch. I’m a single mom with little excess time,and I don’t even make my own food from scratch. After reading your two posts…. and thank you, thank you, thank you for updating your original post with what worked for you…… I immediately ordered the same Seafood Select food, along with Dinovite at my mother’s suggestion. My dachshund is already much improved, and it’s only been 4 days! The inflammation that was in her ears is receeding, and the mucus-type output appears to have stopped. The redness/inflammation on her underside is mostly gone, along with the yeasty wetness that was under her legs where the hair had fallen out. She even has increased mobility in her hind quarters, which she’d been slowly losing. She’s going to the bathroom more quickly and easily, and what comes out is healthier looking and uniform, as it should be. (I had taken her to the vet 2 months ago over the bathroom issues and sudden decreased mobility to the tune of $230, and was told she was fine, but must have strained a muscle. I was also told that the black patches on her underside were just something that some dogs get.)

I am especially thankful that you stated that they’d already taken their beagle to the vet multiple times without being able to resolve it. I’m sure your posts saved me much time, and money, and my dog much pain and suffering. I thank God for your help.

Notes: My dog is a 5yr old miniature dachshund mix. She developed the yeast infection after being on Taste of the Wild, the small breed variety for about 8 months, which I only put her on because of how well it was recommended. She was not displaying any signs of a yeast infection before that.

[Joleen B]

We have a boxer mastiff mix that suffered with severe allergies. Allergies to the point that she would bleed and smell horribly of yeast. We took her to a hollistic vet and had allergy tests done, only to find out that she was allergic to literally all foods. We found that Orijen Senior is the only food she can handle. She’s been on Orijen senior for a few years now and is very healthy and has put on some very healthy weight (as she was always very skinny before). We moved to the country approximately a year ago, and have noticed that she can eat horse feed and not break out. (she cleans up the food that the horses drop). So i have determined that her worst allergies are not the grains, but to the starches like peas, potatoes, etc. I am happy with the orijen Senior, but it’s $100 per bag and she goes through a bag a month, along with two other dogs and I have three teens. Can anyone advise me on a quality dry food that contains some grains, but not the starchy vegetables? Thanks!

[Acroyali]

I have no recent personal experience using Dinovite, but I do know of many owners who have used Dinovite with good results and others who have had their dogs do nothing but refuse it, or throw it back up whenever it was fed. It seems like people either absolutely love it and swear by it, or hate it and swear it’s nothing but a gimmick.

Has your Pug had Dinovite in the past, before starting the yeast starvation diet? What about beef, eggs, and fish (even though you’re feeding fish oil and not the whole fish, it still could be some form of reaction.)

Raw dog food recipes don’t need to be complicated and not all dogs need (nor thrive on) diets that include vegetables, grains, sweet potatoes, and all the “extras” recipes throw in. Some dogs do better with, some without, some it seems to make no difference. Prey model raw is pretty much 80% muscle meat, 10% bone, 10% organs (half of this being liver.)

If and when we feed vegetables of any sort, it’s mostly limited to a handful of leftovers (we like ’em steamed, too!) and herbs (parsley, dandelion, etc.)

[Erika I]

yeah, I was told to stick to this diet till I saw improvements in her skin. The few websites that talk about the Yeast Starvation Diet seemed to suggest you could keep your dog on this diet for awhile… but maybe this is not the case. I have searched and found some good raw dog food recipes that I will implement. I just was not sure how long it takes for a dog to fully transition over to raw and if her throwing up is a part of that or something else.
Thanks for your help.

[Erika I]

Hello Everyone,

I need some advice! I recently (2months ago) transitioned my 4-year-old pug (Bella) to a raw diet- the “Yeast Starvation Diet” (ground beef, cooked whole eggs, dinovite, and fish oil). She was having major yeast issues- non-stop itching, dark balding spots, little black spots, inflamed ears and feet. At first, she was doing great- she loved the food and her itchy, irritated skin subsided. However, the last few weeks I noticed she has been regurgitating her meal. This happens at least once a day. I am worried and not sure if I need to take her in or if this is normal?

Thank you for any advice!
Erika

[M N]

Louise, I appreciate your input. I think you may have the food I mentioned confused with something else…

Salmon Meal, Menhaden Fish Meal, Dried Potato, Dried Peas, Sweet Potato, Chicken Fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols and citric acid), Potato Protein, Flaxseed Meal, Brewers Dried Yeast, Dehydrated Alfalfa Meal, Dried Egg Product, Canola Oil, Natural Flavors, Salt, Lecithin, Choline Chloride, Dried Chicory Root, L-Carnitine, Dried Carrots, Dried Cranberries, Dried Blueberries, Yucca Schidigera extract, Ascorbic Acid, Minerals (Zinc Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Proteinate, Iron Proteinate, Zinc Oxide, Copper Sulfate, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Sulfate, Manganese Proteinate, Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite), Vitamins (Vitamin A Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin, Calcium Pantothenate, Riboflavin, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Thiamine Mononitrate, Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex, Folic Acid, Biotin, Vitamin B12 Supplement), Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Yeast Culture, Dried Enterococcus Faecium Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus Acidophilus Fermentation Product, Dried Aspergillus Niger Fermentation Extract, Dried Trichoderma Longibrachiatum Fermentation Extract, Dried Bacillus Subtilis Fermentation Extract.

Metabolized Energy – AS FED- 1835 kcal/lb
Crude Protein Minimum 32.0%
Crude Fat Minimum 18.0%
Crude Fiber Maximum 5.5%
Total Ash 8.2%
Moisture Maximum 12.0%
Calcium Minimum 1.2%
Phosphorous Minimum 1.0%
Average Calcium 1.29%
Average Phosphorus 1.03%
Vitamin A Minimum 10,000 Iu/Kg
Vitamin E Minimum 80 Iu/Kg
Chondroitin Minimum 90 Mg/Kg*
Glucosamine Minimum 120 Mg/Kg*
DHA Minimum 0.05%*
EPA Minimum 0.01%*
Vitamin C Minimum 25 Mg/Kg*
Omega-6 Fatty Acid Minimum 3.5%*
Omega-3 Fatty Acid Minimum 1.5%*

Black Gold does have some grain inclusive formulas that do not interest me. They list digestibility for those in the low to mid 80s, which is what I would expect from a grain inclusive food.

[Susan]

Hi Shannon, food change is good place to start & weekly baths, it’s not rare for dogs to have food sensitivities & become real itchy or have smelly ears & skin, rub bum on floor, it’s rare for dogs to have “food allergies” & when a dog does suffer with food allergies they normally have IBS symptoms & Skin Problems….
Have a look at “Canidae Pure” formulas, most formulas have single proteins with only 5 to 7 ingredients & grain free, Canidae Pure Sea is a really good formula for itchy dogs, the omega 3 is nice & high, what’s need for itchy dogs, Canidae have just brought out their small Pure Petite formulas, they’re lower in fat & lower in protein then their other Pure formulas, have a look at the Petite Pure Salmon formula for your itchy dog or Pure Sea & the Pure Meadow Senior for the 2 older dogs or they can all eat the same formulas just don’t feed a new kibble that has the same protein what they are eating in the Blue Buffalo formula, try & change ingredients…
also start weekly baths, I have found Malaseb medicated shampoo to work the best, Malaseb can be used daily to wash off any bacteria, allergens, pollens & dirt off their coats & skin, relieving their itch & killing any bacteria on the skin, I bath weekly thru Spring & Summer months & as Winter approaches I bath fortnightly, Patch suffers with Seasonal Environment Allergies & Food Sensitivities….
Once you change diet, give no treats, unless the treats are the same brand as kibble & have same ingredients as the kibble, Canidae has matching treats & wet in food & diet is higher in omega 3 fatty acids & you start bathing twice a week, you’ll start to see a big improvement with the itchy dog, keep….
There’s no true testing for food sensitivities or food allergies, the best thing to do is a elimination food diet or feed a vet diet or a novel protein, limited ingredient kibble like Canidae, then once dog is stable & isn’t itching or smells real yeasty like a corn chip then you can start adding 1 new food to diet for 6 weeks, it can take from 1 day to 6 weeks to show any signs of a reaction to a food…..
Keep a diary, my boy starts getting itchy ears & shaking his head after eating carrot, red front paws & real smelly yeasty skin from chicken, barley, rice & oats…then in Spring he becomes real itchy from seasonal environment allergies, which ones I don’t know but there’s a skin test called “Intradermal Skin Test” where they shave a part of the skin normally the side of the dog, then they inject just under the skin the most common allergen & see if the dogs skin reacts, humans also have this test, then once they work out what in the environment your dog is sensitive too you give injections to desensitize your dog from what ever is making him/her itch.. that’s why it’s best to keep a diary & you’ll start to see a pattern, what month they itch more, was it after eating a certain food, or when Spring came, or on real windy days when the pollen count is high etc
Another good kibble brand people are feeding is “Zignature” but just check the fat & protein % in the kibble your feeding at the moment, the Canidae Pure Petite may be more closer fat protein & fiber & be around the same % to the Blue Buffalo….Zignature Kangaroo has the lowest fat, protein & fiber the other Zignature formula are higher in fat protein & fiber & might cause stomach/bowel stress especially the older 2 dogs… Your dogs may be OK when they change formulas, make sure you introduce over 7-10 day period, a lot of people do it tooo quickly then blame the new kibble when their dog has intestinal stress…
There’s a really good group on Face Book called “Dog issues, allergies and other information support group” a Dermatologist is in the group, Dr Karen Helton Rhodes DMV DACVC, after changing kibble & giving weekly baths in Malaseb shampoo & there’s no improvement with the itchy skin I’d join the F/B allergy group your dog may be allergic to dust mites or storage mites found in food or something in the environment, there’s a lot of new things on the market like Apoquel & CADI injections…
Here’s the Canidae formula’s… http://www.canidae.com/dog-food/products

[InkedMarie]

Hi Kylie: I have no experience in wet food for yeasty dogs so I can’t help with that. I Tried keeping my dog away from various ingredients but no luck. I tried feeding Darwins raw but no change. My holistic vet suggested a raw with no produce and that worked, for him. All dogs are different. He had one ear infection in recent ears and we think it was due to humidity. He does groom himself often and sometimes he licks a sore in between toes. He has that now.

A grain free low carb food may be worth a shot. Keep in mind, you need to give him no treats, just his food. Keep a journal.

I dont know exactly what causes my dogs issues but a change to raw worked for him. I can deal with an occasional ear infection due to humidity and paw licking is fine, unless he’s causing damage which is happening now. I *think* that is due to heat in the house causing dry skin and boredom.

[Kylie M]

Hello InkedMarie
You seem very knowledgeable in the topic of dogs with yeast problems so I thought I’d ask you where to start. I have a 5 year old rat terrier who suffers from constant yeast infections in his ears. He also randomly has problems with his paws and dry itchy red skin. He has been to 3 different vets in my area and they all either just want him to stay on benadryl or give him steroid injections. I have been feeding him diamond naturals chicken and rice formula. After reading lots of different posts in here I would like to switch to a grain free low carb food. Do you think I should start with one on this list or should I try a wet dog food that contains no starches? I keep reading conflicting info about how I should use a wet dog food with no starches to help combat the yeast. Thanks for all the info.

[anonymous]

Regarding the dosage, it should be right there, on the bottle. If the dog gets diarrhea, decrease the dose or discontinue.

PS: Yeast infection? Is that a diagnosis made by a veterinarian that has examined the dog?
If not, you may want to seek the expertise of a veterinary health care professional first.
Food supplements are not intended to treat or cure anything, this information is usually stated on the label in fine print.

• This reply was modified 8 years, 9 months ago by anonymous.

[Nancy F]

What is the dosage amount of Oil to give my dog who weight is 9 lbs? He skin is so try from yeast infection.

[Bobbi K]

Based on a post here, I purchased the Farmina thinking it was pea free. It’s not. It clearly says pea fiber on the ingredients It also has yeast and linseed oil. I thought their website said vegetable oil free. I wish I would have done the research myself. Also no organ meat
I am kind of intrigued by the sporting dog brand. Anybody have experience with that. Lots of sweet potato & yam. Other than that really clean. No peas, chicken, flax, beans/legumes, yeast, vegetable oils and of course graind

[Jeanne]

I have an 8 year old dog mix (lab & great pyrenees). Here is a list of things that he is allergic to: venison, corn, wheat, oats, brewers yeast, alfalfa, fish mix and green peas.
For the past 6 years I have been feeding him Natural Balance Lamb and Rice. Lately, he has not been eating all of his kibble, no matter what I add to it. Is there another brand of dog food that he can eat?

[zcRiley]

Switch immediately to Zignature dog food formulas, don’t wait so that the pups can get immediate relief. The best kibble for allergy prone dogs. Yeast and skin disorders disappear in a week, proven. Provide plenty of fresh water. Get them moving with more exercise, cutting down portions dangerously lowers needed nutrients. While doing this, order the Glacier Peak Holistics allergy test on each dog, then wait for results. Daily ball and frisbee fetching, brisk walks and swimming keeps my own pups lean and mean!

[Melanie Y]

Thank you,anon101 and Acroyali. My vet does suspect that my dog has environmental allergy since he was not all immuned to allergy even with Kangaroo diet. But I do feel he has only one episode of ear problem during that year when he was on kangaroo diet. We had tried soy diet as the vet recommended after the kangaroo diet got banned. The soy diet made him gain weight and having loose stools and he is back with the ear yeast infection again. I switched back to natural balance chicken since the vet feels it is probablly not related to his diet. Natural balance is having a new formula with the chicken diet which I noticed there are preservatives. I decided to look for a new dog food to see if I can make it a little better with his condition then. I saw this website with quesitons with similar situations so I decide to see if I can find other suggestions for a good dog food to try.

[Lauren S]

Hi Marilyn,
I have a wheaten terrier Murphy and he had the worst allergies and yeast too! He was always scratching and chewing on himself. Some of the skin around his tummy was all black! We went to a dermatologist and tried a variety of things, and it would get better for awhile and then come back. I found a product online that really seemed to help. It is called K9 Yeast Defense http://www.askariel.com/yeast-infection-in-dogs-p/102.htm. I was given diet suggestions from AskAriel and I used it with the suggested probiotic. He is so much better and it was the only thing that helped, good luck!

[anonymous]

Please do not apply anything to the skin or give over the counter meds intended for humans or give supplements unless instructed to do so by a veterinarian that has examined the dog.
You could make things much worse and increase the risk of infection.

Hope this helps:
By Klaus Loft, DVM
Angell Dermatology Service
Anyone who suffers debilitating environmental allergies tied to changing seasons, pet dander or household dust mites knows first-hand the misery of a scratchy throat, itchy eyes or painful rashes.
Not everyone knows, however, that our pets can experience similar allergic reactions — and other very bothersome dermatological issues. But our pets need not suffer in silence. Modern veterinary science has evolved such that advanced, comprehensive treatments are now available to treat a range of skin conditions.
Top pet dermatological issues
Our four-legged friends suffer from some of the same skin issues as we do — and several that we do not. The most common conditions we see at Angell include:
•Parasites, such as mites, fleas and mange (scabies)
•Infectious diseases, such as Staphylococcal pyoderma (“Staph”) skin infections, yeast and fungal infections and skin fold infections
•Systemic diseases, such as autoimmune diseases
•Skin cancer, such as Squamous cell carcinoma, cutaneous lymphoma, Mast cell tumors
•Allergies, such as flea allergy dermatitis, adverse food reactions, environmental allergies, etc.
All of these conditions can become serious and, if untreated, dramatically reduce quality of life. But the tremendous strides made in veterinary innovation, however, is very good news for our pets. Specifically, the testing and treatments for allergies now rivals human healthcare in its sophistication, quality of care and long-term health outcomes.
Unlike humans, dogs and cats cannot tell us about their dermatological health issues. So we as pet owners must look for the signs. The most common indicators that a pet is suffering from some kind of allergy involve frequent episodes of ear infections, red raised or open sores on the skin, constant licking or biting of paws or groin — sometimes causing wounds that will not go away.
Allergies present a particular challenge because there can be hundreds (even thousands) of potential allergens that impact pet health, from foods to pollen from grasses, weeds, trees, dust mites and more. Today’s specialty veterinary hospitals have access to the very latest diagnostic tests to get to the bottom of what’s ailing our pet. Among these tests is the Intra Dermal Test (IDT).
IDT is generally considered the gold standard of testing for identifying allergens that cause pets to suffer from chronic skin and/or ear diseases. IDT involves injections of a series of concentrated allergens into the skin to determine which of them generate allergic reactions in a given animal. The use of fluorescein — a chemical that illuminates the inflammation caused by the injected allergens in order to visualize the strength of individual reactions — is key to accurately diagnosing pet allergies, and is just one of the many ways veterinarians use new technologies to improve care and diagnostics.
The results of IDT (as well as a review of the pet’s medical history) can then inform comprehensive immunotherapy treatments to relieve suffering. Veterinary dermatologists rely on IDT to build customized treatment plans for patients called Allergen Specific Immuno Therapy or “ASIT” for short.
ASIT involves a series of injections specifically created for the allergic animal’s skin. These injections, of diluted allergens, are designed to make a pet less sensitive to their allergens over time. In most cases these injections must be continued for life to reduce symptoms, but they are highly effective. Seventy to 90 percent of pets experience a reduction in symptoms as a result of ASIT treatment. These treatments can be delivered even more easily via droplets under the tongue, perfect for pet owners who are squeamish about giving injections to their pet.
This treatment is very new to the North American field of medicine (both human and veterinary) and underscores just how far innovation in veterinary medicine has come.
When it’s time to see the vet
Many pet owners are understandably concerned about taking their animals to the veterinarian because the cost (to say nothing of the fear some animals experience when going do the doctor) may outweigh any perceived reduction in suffering. To help pet owners know when it’s time to bring Fido to the doctor I’ve compiled my “Top Ten” list of dermatological symptoms that should never be ignored:
•Intense itching of the skin (head shaking, running the face into the carpet, furniture, etc.)
•Biting at the skin that creates red, raw crusting areas of the skin
•Multiple ear infections (head shaking, odor from ears, scratching at the ears with hind legs)
•Paw licking or chewing and frequent infections of the skin in the webbed skin of the paws
•Staining of the fur of the paws and nails on multiple feet
•Reoccurring skin infections in the groin, under the shoulders, perianal areas (on or under the tail)
•Greasy scaling skin and/or fur with odorous skin
•Hair loss, or thinning of the fur
•Dark pigmentation of the skin that is chronically infected
•Sudden depigmentation of skin
Allergies and other dermatological issues can be as frustrating for pet owners and their veterinarians as they can be for pets. I encourage any pet owner whose animal is experiencing any of these symptoms to consult with their veterinarian.

Dermatology – Common Issues

[Susan]

Hi, yes I have a dog with Seasonal Environment allergies & food sensitivities causing IBD & itchy, yeasty smelly skin, red paws, itchy ears & hive like lumps + IBD symptoms sloppy poos, gas/farts etc…
It has taken me 3yrs to finally work Patch out, in the beginning my vet said to keep a diary & you’ll start to see a pattern as the years go by & yes we did….
It’s best too see a Dermatologist they’re a but more expensive but in the long run you’ll save money, Dermatologist specialize in the skin….
Baths, twice a week or weekly baths or as soon as dog is uncomfortable & is scratching real bad then bath to relieve their skin…..I use Malaseb medicated shampoo, baths wash off any allergens, dirt, pollens & yeast if dog has yeast problems, Malaseb kills any bacteria yeast on the skin & keeps the skin nice & moist leaving the dog feeling so soft, Malaseb can be used daily if needed…..
I like using creams on my boy instead of medications he doesn’t do well on meds…I use “Sudocrem” sold in supermarket in baby section, I apply the Sudocrem on Patches red paws, around mouth, above his eye where he has white fur he seems to have all the problems, some nights when he’s real red around his mouth from eating I used Hydrocortisone 1% cream & on his paws & other parts of his body as well, I check patches body out as he’s sleeping at night before I go to bed & apply the creams, now I’ve removed the foods in his diet that he’s sensitive too his ear problem has all clear up, I did an elimination diet the best thing for food sensitivities & found when he eats carrots & beef he started shaking his head & scratching his ears, chicken causes his paws to go red 20mins after eating chicken, raw chicken was worse, also kibbles with grains made his poos sloppy, now he eats grain free kibbles that are Whitefish/Salmon or Lamb….if you don’t want to do the elimination diet & cook or do raw then it’s best to get a vet diet like Royal Canine PV- Potato & Venison or PS-Potato & Salmon or PR- Potato & Rabbit kibble or wet tin… then when dog isn’t scratching ears & is stable not itching you start & add 1 new ingredient with the vet diet every 6 weeks, no treats nothing else, it can take 1 day to 6 weeks for a dog to show symptoms for a food sensitivities…Once you find out what foods your dog is sensitive too you can stop the vet diet & start a diet without the foods he’s sensitive too.
I live Australia & I saw a Naturopath cause of Patches IBD, I wanted him on a raw diet.. Vitamin C is a natural antihistamine, we have a skin pack made by the Naturopath called Natural Animal Solutions, Skin Pack & it has DigestaVite Plus which balances the diet & fixes the gut, then it has Omega 3,6 & 9 Oil you add high dose for the first 2 months to diet & Vitamin C to work as a natural antihistamine…..
Here’s Jacquelines site there’s a lot of good reading & what natural products to use…on your left scroll down a bit & click on “Skin System” then click on “Skin Allergies” & she explains all about the skin & what causes what. She also has a F/B site & will answer any questions.. called “Natural Animal Solutions” NAS
http://www.naturalanimalsolutions.com.au/education.php

[zcRiley]

Go to Chewy.com and buy Zignature dog food. There’s 5 different formulas from which you can choose and rotate. Reviews are proven success rate of curing food, yeast and skin conditions due to individual allergies.

[Paige C]

Thank you everyone for all the advice! He is still eating the same Taste of the Wild right now, while working to finish off this bag. I’m almost 100% sure he’s not allergic to chicken or rice because that is what I fed him when he had diarrhea and he was fine, also I have boiled unseasoned chicken to use as treats/meal topper and he is fine with that as well. He doesn’t have any darkened spots or stinky breath/ears so I don’t think it’s a yeast issue. He is generally a stinky dog and gets a bath about once a month with Oatmeal shampoo which helps.
and Susan and CockalierMom, maybe you guys are right, maybe it is his bowl. Maybe I should try a ceramic bowl. It’s always after he eats he goes for his mouth and then starts scratching his ears and licking his knees/thighs. No hair loss and it’s not excessive, just noticeable because it’s always at the same time. It never seems to be after eating any treats or anything, and I did watch him scratch after drinking water from a stainless steel bowl at training as well so maybe I should switch just to be safe.

[Susan W]

Hi – here’s an addendum to my post. I stand corrected!
From my more knowledgeable friend:
What does she clean her food bowl with?

If it was a food allergy- the whole body would be having issues. And its not. Something is getting on the mouth itself.

I wouldn’t focus on ingredients with her, in terms of what is normally allergens. Brown rice definitely doesn’t contribute to candida, or yeast. It’s a complex carb with very low sugars. White rice does. So your statement wasn’t fully accurate.
Focus on a higher quality food. Get her off taste of the wild to start. They’re made by Diamond, known for countless recalls. Evangers- and anything made from the evangers plant should also be avoided right now.

Then focus on omega 3s… higher omega 3s are flaxseed and menhaden

[pitlove]

Hi Susan W-

The yeast that you are refering to is actually the yeast that lives in the gut. Could you possibly mean Malassezia? Malassezia is the yeast that is found on the skin of the animal. You can not control Malassezia by eliminating or limiting carbs as it is not a carb loving yeast and does not feed off of it. The only way in which food plays a role in the control of Malassezia yeast overgrowth is if the immune system is weakened by a sensitivity or in rare cases a true allergy to a specific protein source. The body will always produce glucose(sugar) whether fed carbs or not as glucose is needed to sustain life. That is another part of why Malassezia is not treated through limitation or elimination of carbs.

Hope this helps!

Edit to add: Also it is note worthy that all livestock that has been treated with antibiotics MUST by law be held before going to slaughter for the withdrawal time of the antibiotic. This is the time need to eliminate the antibiotic and all residue of the antibiotic from the body. Each drug will have a different withdrawal time. So in fact there are no antibiotics in the food supply unlike the marketing of certain brands being “antibiotic free” might have you believe (implying that livestock given antibiotics will still contain those antibiotics when slaughetered). This is true for both the human and pet food supply.

• This reply was modified 8 years, 10 months ago by pitlove.

[Susan W]

A lot of times dogs are diagnosed with allergies when really what they have is Candida. Does your dog have rust-colored spots on the feet, under arms, and around the genitals? Does he/she have bad breath? If so, you likely have Candida (yeast) as AT LEAST a contributing factor.
Stay away from chicken & rice. Rice will just feed the yeast & chicken often has enough antibiotics in the meat to kill off good bacteria. A lot of dogs have trouble eating chicken.
Feed complex carbs, raw veggies like carrots, broccoli, and green beans. Stay away from potatoes, sweet potatoes (more starch = more sugar = more yeast).
Pork is a good alternative to chicken. If you’re going to feed a commercial dog food, find one that is fish-based and has fewer fillers (like corn & other starchy things). Try to find a dog food that does NOT use salmon as it is usually farm-raised & not as healthy as wild-caught fish. Foods using menhaden fish is good because it is always wild-caught & it’s a renewable resource.
If you suspect your dog has Candida – or the vet agrees that he/she does – shout back at me here. I can give you some pointers from my own yeast battle experience. And try to discourage antibiotics or long-term allergy shot regimens.

[zcRiley]

Their food uses way too much rice, potatoes and sweet potatoes as fillers. Starchy, hard to digest and definitely not for allergy prone pets (yeast issues etc.)

[pitlove]

Hi Marilyn-

The yeast that lives on the skin is Malassezia, not Candida. It is being created by your dogs allergies as they weaken the immune system and make his system unable to control the yeast that naturally lives on the skin. As anon101 said, environmental type allergies can not be cured, simply managed. I would discuss some bathing regimes with your vet and/or specialist and also ask about medications like Apoquel that can help manage the symptoms.

[Marilyn M]

Yes, he’s had blood & skin tests to determine hus allergies. My vet just keeps wanting to put him on steroids. He’s been on them a couple of times and they helped but I don’t want to use them. Being as he keeps getting yeast infections in his ears and feet I’m assuminibg it’s Candida. There are Candida cleanses for humans, not for dogs???

[Marilyn M]

I think you have to go raw to avoid yeast or cook for your dog by feeding him a salmon/sweet potatoe muxture. I was feeding my Golden this but found it was alot of cooking for a dog but he did really well on it. I’m starting again now to get rid of candida.

[Marilyn M]

I have a Golden Retriever with allergies to grasses, weeds, molds, dust mites. He has cronic yeast infection in his ears and feet. I want to know how to get rid of candida in a dog.

[Kay W]

I have never written on any of these, but ALWAYS have read and researched dog foods and topics etc. I am so grateful for this site and finding ALL the information. My girl will be 3 on Feb 14th. She has been sick since Christmas day. I found it odd that she had calcium oxylate crystals and a UTI after a vet visit. True I read that with Orijen, they need to drink more BUT….she acted so different too and less energetic and alert. After I read a guy’s article about his dog getting crystals on the Orijen, I called the distributor and asked about the Acana……after all “Orijen is the best as I thought”. I had fed my 75 lb baby Orijen the last 2 years. First year, I fed her the supposed “best” new Blue Wilderness until she got lethargic and hair started shedding……then learned/read how they sold the co. at that time and went with cheaper products. So then went with Orijen Regional Red the past 2 years. Crystals went away and normal PH thank God. I didn’t realize at the time that it might be connected to the food. Had just bought a NEW huge bag of Regional Red….along with the Acana for lower protein. This past week, she got 3 bumps on her rear that then turned to larger bumpy rashes. She started chewing on her tail obsessively and scratching, ate to the bloody skin on all three places, and scratched ALL over. I didn’t know if it was a yeast infection from the antibiotics which it was NOT. I then started giving her the Acana food, bought at the same time, just about 2 weeks ago. OMG…..very lethargic, less alert than before, red eyes and insane itching….even after the new organic “itchless” shampoo. Was scratching her face and sides of her mouth yesterday and today this evening after her “supper” of Acana, which she has NEVER done. She woke up throwing up at 4:00 am yesterday. I found this info and site tonight and now I know FOR SURE that it is this food, and from that new plant. I had called the distributor to ask “where” the food came from…they said KY, not Canada anymore. I had read that on another site also. I “had” felt so assured and happy that she had Orijen and I had found a great food. I’m just praying hard on her to feel better, and throwing away BOTH huge bags tomorrow, the Acana and Orijen! Forget about “transitioning” to a new food…I’ll risk the diarrhea and clogged anal glands instead of giving her this nasty food. I have read hours and hours trying to find a good SAFE Grain Free for her. Will do chicken and rice, but NOW getting the Grain Free Candidae Duck. They have NOT had a recall since 2012, and it was the company that made the decision just for precautions. I pray this food will work and hope the potatoes don’t cause an issue relative to starch/sugar/yeast etc. My heart goes out to anyone and everyone that has had any heartache with their pets/loving part of the family, that has suffered in any way. It TRULY is horrible that more people and companies don’t care more about our pets. These are like our “children” to most of us! For me I know! Thank you truly for sharing your stories and experiences to educate and spare other people and their 4 legged babies etc. I’m praying hard on my baby girl to get back to her old self SOON! Take care, God bless!

[Marie P]

NuVet Labs really does have an excellent product line. We have used it for a little over 9 years now. If you want to learn more about NuVET see a few articles;

1. NuVET Plus help to balance yeast bacteria, See here
http://bulldogvitamins.blogspot.com/2014/04/ear-infections-and-tear-stains-get-rid.html

2. NuVET Plus wafers are great for pets with low immune systems:
http://bulldogvitamins.blogspot.com/2015/07/does-your-dog-have-watery-eyes-itchy.html

[Sarah P]

My dog has the following allergies and I am having a hard time finding an acceptable affordable dog food. He is allergic to:

Potatoes, rice, milk, barley, oats, pinto beans, wheat, beef, lamb, flaxseed, & yeast.

I was using Acana Pork & Squash Singles until the company changed its formula and added Pinto Beans. Even though it’s not one of the first five ingredients, my dog still reacted to it.

Any advice other than cooking for him would be greatly appreciated.

[Brenda D]

Hi Everyone, I am looking for a dry dog food that contains no heart, canola oil, and yeast. I want it to have high quality ingredients and be a good food brand. Does anyone have any dry dog foods they recommend? Thanks.

[Susan W]

My Golden had yeasty issues FOREVER and I have a little mutt who has the most sensitive stomach I’ve ever seen. I had trouble finding a dry food that both could eat, then I tried making their food – which helped some, but I just couldn’t keep doing it, so I had to look for a reasonably priced food. I settled on VeRUS dog food for several reasons: 1) they’d never had a recall; 2) when I sent an inquiry to them, a person emailed me back and asked questions before sending me samples (instead of coupons); 3) They have a very informative website; 4) both my dogs like the food and have improved tremendously while eating this food.
However, food is only half the battle. We still had some yeasty issues, especially bad during the summer. If you go to the blog done by DERMagic, you’ll find some fantastic information on causes and remedies for skin problems.
BTW – The people at VeRUS have been nice enough to continue answering questions for me about diet and nutrition for my dogs – and more recently, my mom’s aging dog. They are super people.

[zcRiley]

The red is tears on the face and saliva from licking the feet. The red color can be produced by yeasts and bacteria that live in the damp fur. It’s a red yeast infection. It is food related a lot of the time.

Switch to high quality grain free kibble for allergy prone dogs. Zignature formulas are the best.

Rub peroxide on white fur, vinegar on other colors. Or trim off the stains carefully. Have an Aquis towel handy to blot dry fur as needed throughout the day.