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Yeast Infections in Dogs

Yeast infections are caused by Candida, a sugar-digesting yeast that forms naturally in your dog’s mouth, nose, ears, gastrointestinal, and genital tracts. When there is an overgrowth of Candida in the dog’s body, Candidiasis, or a yeast infection, occurs. While yeast infections can affect any dog, Candida is opportunistic and will often impact immuno-suppressed animals.

Yeast infections can affect a single part of the body or multiple parts at once. Either way, your dog will be uncomfortable and you should seek treatment.

Causes

There are several possible risk factors for dogs who suffer from yeast infections. Any dog with traumatized, dying, or inflamed skin has a higher likelihood of being affected. Dogs with diabetes, urinary retention, or indwelling catheters are also at a higher risk. Sometimes, an underlying condition such as allergies, bacterial infection, ruptured ear drum, or trapped object will cause a yeast infection in the ear.

Symptoms

Symptoms will vary based on the location of the infection. The most common location for yeast infections in dogs is in the ear canal, which is what I want to focus on in this post.

Symptoms will include:

• Shaking, rubbing, or scratching their head
• Visible waxy residue
• Scabbing or redness along the outside of ear
• Smelly ears
• Loss of hair around the ear
• Loss of balance
• Loss of hearing

Treatment

First, your vet will look into your dog’s infected ear to determine if the eardrum is intact or if a foreign object is causing the infection. Outer ear canal infections will most likely be treated with a topical antifungal cream. Middle ear infections require treatment through tablets or injections. If a foreign object is suspected, surgery may be needed. Your vet will also recommend a full cleaning of the dog’s ear canal on a regular basis.

Prevention

Keeping the ear canal clean and dry is most important for preventing yeast infections in the ears. Regular cleanings will also allow you to check for discharge, odor, and swelling that may be missed, especially in floppy eared dogs. After swimming or baths, gently dry the ears to prevent infection.

Bayer ExpertCare

A few months ago, we were able to try the ear cleansing rinse from Bayer ExpertCare. It quickly became our new favorite and we use it on a regular basis to keep Mauja and Atka’s ears clean and infection free.

If your dog is not used to regular ear cleanings, it’s important to take it slow as to not damage the ear drum. In this post, we talk about the steps to successful ear cleanings with the Bayer ExpertCare Ear Cleansing Rinse.

We love the rinse so much that we wanted to offer a giveaway for you! Enter using the widget below for a chance to win the Bayer ExpertCare Ear Cleansing Rinse.

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