Can you use human antifungal cream on dogs
Can You Use Human Antifungal Cream on Dogs? (Answered)
Fungal infections are very common for everyone. But for dogs, it is seen more times than often. Playing in the dirt and under the sun can lead to many types of infections. Treating the infections fast is absolutely necessary for the well-being of your dog.
There are many medications but with ointments and medications, you have to be careful.
Can you use human antifungal cream on dogs?
If your dog faces any infection or rash you can use antifungal ointment on your dog. As long as the ointment is applied to the skin of the dog it is safe. There are no issues with using human antifungal ointments on dogs. Make sure your dog does not have an allergic reaction to the ointment first.
Dogs might get infections and fungal issues for any reason. It is common. Though there are many ointments made especially for dogs, you can still use human antifungal creams on your dog. As long as your dog does not lick it or eat it anyhow it is safe.
There are usually no health issues or side effects of applying human antifungal creams on your dog.
OTC antifungal cream:
Over-the-counter anti-fungal creams are also very much safe to be applied on the exterior skin of dogs. It is best to get a prescription or suggestion from your vet. But in general, the creams and ointments are good to use on the irritated skin of your dog.
Yeast infection cream:
Yeast infection creams are mostly made for women but they are also safe for dogs. There are no side effects to this medication. You can use yeast infection creams on your dog.
What does antifungal treat on dogs?
Anti-fungal creams are usually what the name suggests. These medications are applied to soothe the irritation of rashes and to treat fungal infections. The anti-fungal ointments can be used on dogs for the same purposes as well.
Some of the reasons why anti-fungal ointments are applied on dogs are listed below
Fungal Infections:
It is common for dogs to get fungal infections as they spend a lot of time outside and in the dirt. This can cause them to have fungal infections more times than often. The ointment can help treat the infection sooner and faster.
Yeast Dermatitis:
It is a common infection for dogs to get infected with Yeast dermatitis. Anti-fungal creams can help with this issue as well. There is very little chance of relapse and the anti-fungal cream also helps with the bacterial spread.
Treating hotspots:
Dogs get hotspots very often as they play outside in the sun a lot. This can be very irritating. Anti-fungal creams help soothe and treat hotspots. But you need to be careful while applying it as they might lick it off.
The most common use of anti-fungal creams is treating fungal infections. The ointments are very gentle on the skin and affected areas of your dog. As long as your dog does not lick some of the ointment, it should be just fine.
Where can you use human antifungal cream on dogs?
Anti-fungal creams can be used on dogs as long as they dont lick it off or consume it in any way. Anti-fungal ointments should be applied to the areas that are affected by any fungus. Any sort of hotspots can also be treated with anti-fungal creams.
There are a few spots that are usually the most affected by the infection. The paws are safe to apply the anti-fungal cream. Any place near their legs and back is fine as well. You should be careful while applying the cream to the nose of your dog.
There is a risk that your dog might lick it off.
What if my dog licks human antifungal cream?
Anti-fungal creams are not safe for dogs and if they lick any of it off it can be unhealthy for your dog. There are many health issues related to it if your dog licks any anti-fungal ointment. There are a few obvious symptoms and issues that you will notice if your dog licks anti-fungal creams-
Irritation in the stomach:
The cream can cause irritation in the stomach. There will be obvious discomfort in your dog;
Upset stomach:
Your dog could get an upset stomach if they consume any bit of the antifungal ointment;
Vomiting:
Vomiting is a common consequence of licking antifungal creams;
Diarrhea:
There is a serious threat of the ointment disrupting the digestive tract. Which can lead to diarrhea and excess vomiting;
Bad indigestion:
The strong, toxic ingredients in the ointment can cause severe stomach indigestion. Which can be risky if not cleansed soon.
There are many threats and severe consequences of your dog licking anti-fungal ointments. It is best to stay aware when you apply the ointment on your dog and make sure it does not lick or consume any bit of the cream.
It can keep your dogs health down for days and will definitely leave your dog very weak.
What anti-fungal can you use on dogs?
There are many anti-fungal creams and that is safe to be used on dogs. Some are human anti-fungal creams that are also applicable to dogs. Along with that, there are some ointments that are made for dogs.
Those ointments are more gentle on the wounds and have a very faint smell. Some of the common antifungal ointments for dogs are
Clotrimazole Cream:
it is an over-the-counter cream that can be easily found in pharmaceuticals. It is a very popular cream that works well with fungal infections.
Econazole:
it is an anti-fungal medication for dogs. This is better for heat irritations and hotspots. The anti-fungal ointment also works well for rashes and fungal infections.
Itraconazole:
This is another anti-fungal ointment especially for dogs. This ointment is gentle on the skin and wound of the dog. And can treat any rash gently, but it does take time.
Some other common anti-fungal ointments are Ketoconazole and Miconazole.
These are some of the ointments you can use to treat the fungal infection of your dog. Most of the anti-fungal medications are safe to use on dogs but ointments made for dogs are most gentle with the less strong smell for the comfort of your dog.
How do you treat a fungal infection on a dog?
Fungal infections are very common for dogs. As they spend a good amount of time outside playing under the scorching sun and dirt, your friend can get fungal infections pretty fast.
There are several ways to treat the infection and you should try to treat it otherwise your dog will be in extreme discomfort-
Antibiotics:
Oral medicines are very effective in properly treating fungal infections. You will have to give the medicine on time for the prescribed days and it does take time to work.
Antifungal creams:
Any tropical anti-fungal cream or over-the-counter anti-fungal ointment can treat the infection faster. And the medication will also soothe the irritation of the wound as well.
Shampoos and soaps:
There are some anti-fungal shampoos and soaps made for dogs. These gentle cleansers can treat infections easily.
Is Lotrimin safe to use on dogs?
Lotrimin or clotrimazole are not very much effective on dogs and other pets as well. The ointment does not reduce ringworm infection or any other infection in dogs. The medication does not even reduce the growth of ringworm lesions on dogs.
The ointment is very much useless on dogs so it is not advised to be applied on them.
The ointment Lotrimin is made to treat ringworms and similar infections. But this ointment does not work if the infection is on dogs or other animals. This is why it is advised to not use this on dogs.
Is Clotrimazole cream safe to use on dogs?
The anti-fungal cream Clotrimazole is safe to use on the exterior skin of your dog. Make sure the ointment does not go in the eyes or nose of your dog. Also, be aware that your dog does not eat or lick the cream off. It is not safe if your dog has any bit of ointment.
Clotrimazole is an anti-fungal cream that is used to treat any fungal infection. It can be used on dogs but you will have to be very careful while applying the ointment so it does not go in the eyes or mouth.
Final thoughts
Most anti-fungal ointments are safe to be used on dogs to treat fungal infections. As long as the ointment does not go in the mouth or eyes of your dog, you can use them. Though there are anti-fungal creams made especially for dogs. Still, in case of emergency, you can use human anti-fungal cream.
Can I Use Antifungal Cream on My Dog?
Fungal infections are one of the most common issues that pet owners face and many wonder, can I use antifungal cream on my dog as a home remedy?
We reached out to Carol Young, a veterinary technician, to get her advice on certain fungal infections, how to treat them, and what creams are safe to use on your dog.
What causes skin fungal infections in dogs?
Allergies
Yeast skin infections are often caused by the production of excess skin oils, and this happens frequently in dogs with skin allergies.
Yeast dermatitis, for example, is extremely common in dogs and is caused by the fungus Malassezia pachydermatis.
According to VCA1, even though this yeast is normally found on the skin, its abnormal overgrowth can cause dermatitis or inflammation of the skin.
This can create an environment in which bacteria can thrive and reproduce, creating what veterinarians refer to as a secondary infection.
However, this kind of yeast infection is not contagious.
Symptoms include hair loss, redness and itchiness, thickened, crusty skin, and a distinct musty odor.
In floppy-eared dogs, an overgrowth of yeast produced by a warm, moist environment can cause ear infections of both the middle and inner ears.
Ringworm
Other fungal infections occur when fungal spores in the environment come into contact with your dog via inhalation or through the skin.
There are many different types of these external fungi, including blastomycosis, a fungus that affects the lungs, or ringworm, which is caused by a fungus called dermatophytosis.
When most people hear the term ringworm, they think of worms. However, ringworm gets its name from the circular shape of skin lesions that the fungus creates on the skin.
The fungus that causes ringworm, dermatophytosis, lives on the skin, clothes, and furniture, and humans can also contract ringworm from infected dogs and cats.
How do you treat a fungal infection on a dog?
Once your dog is diagnosed with a fungal infection, your veterinarian will discuss a treatment plan appropriate for your dogs needs.
The treatment plan depends on the severity of the case, the nature of the fungus, and if there are any other pets in the household.
A vet can determine the identity of a fungus in several ways, such as by taking a skin-scraping sample, microscopic examination, or via a special ultraviolet light called a Woods lamp that can detect the fungus dermatophytosis.
Treating fungal infections in dogs usually involves the use of topical antifungal creams such as clotrimazole and miconazole, oral medications, and environmental decontamination if needed.
If the dog has an ear infection due to yeast overgrowth, treatment may involve a thorough ear cleaning and a round of antibiotics to fight possible secondary bacterial infections, as well as antifungal ear drops.
Other treatments may involve the use of medicated shampoos.
Many dogs with oily skin will first require cleansing with a shampoo containing benzoyl peroxide or selenium sulfide, or bathing with an antifungal shampoo that contains chlorhexidine and antifungal agents.
The good news is that most dogs make a complete recovery after several weeks.
So, can I use antifungal cream on my dog?
If you found that your dog has a fungal infection, you may be looking for a cream thats safe to use.
When using antifungal creams on your dog, make sure that you check with your veterinarian first about proper use and application.
There are several creams that veterinarians prescribe to combat fungal infections, and these creams are applied topically to your dogs skin where a fungal infection is located.
However, keep in mind that theyre only meant to treat small areas of the skin, and if your dog has a fungal infection that covers a large portion of their body, or areas that arent easily accessible, then creams arent going to be the best choice.
Common antifungal creams for dogs may contain the following active ingredients:
1. Miconazole. Monistat is an antifungal cream that is typically used for vaginal yeast infections in humans.
The active ingredient is Miconazole Nitrate, which is effective for the treatment of fungal infections such as ringworm, and for superficial skin and ear infections caused by an overgrowth of yeast.
Its also a common ingredient in medicated dog shampoos along with other antibacterial agents, such as Chlorhexidine.
Although Monistat is safe to use on dogs, its important to check with your veterinarian first before applying it to your dog or your dogs ears.
2. Clotrimazole. Also known by the brand name Canesten or Lotrimin, Clotrimazole is a topical antifungal cream used to treat athletes foot in humans and fungal infections in dogs and cats.
The cream is usually a 1% Clotrimazole concentration and it can be purchased over the counter. (However, dont use it on your dog without direction from a veterinarian.)
The usual dose is to apply a thin layer to the affected area twice a day for 14 days.
3. Ketoconazole. Sold under the brand name Nizoral, this cream is used to treat fungal skin infections, and can also come in the form of wipes mixed with the antibacterial solution Chlorhexidine.
4. Econazole. Econazole Nitrate cream comes in a 1% concentration and is used to treat ringworm in dogs, cats, and horses, as well as other fungal skin infections.
5. Itraconazole. This medication usually comes in the form of an oral solution, but its also available as a 1% concentration in a cream. It treats serious fungal or yeast infections in dogs.
Can my dog lick the antifungal cream?
Antifungal creams and lotions are meant for external use only, and veterinarians will recommend preventing your dog from licking and swallowing any of these medications.
Many veterinary formulations are designed for rapid absorption through the skin to minimize issues with ingestion.
Some veterinarians may also recommend the use of an e-collar to minimize the licking of treated areas.
Alternatives to antifungal creams
Medicated shampoo
Medicated shampoos are often used to treat fungal infections in dogs. They contain antifungal medications that can help control skin infections and eliminate the need for topical creams.
Your veterinarian may recommend using medicated shampoos twice a week, for up to 4 weeks.
Be sure to allow the shampoo to soak into the skin for at least 10 minutes before rinsing and dont allow your dog to lick off the product.
Its important to use only medicated shampoos that are designed for dogs and cats. Human shampoos can be harmful to pets.
Recommended reading: Can I Use Palmolive to Wash My Dog?
MiconaHex+Triz Shampoo is a popular product that contains Miconazole. This is the same active ingredient thats used in some antifungal creams intended for dogs and cats.
Medicated wipes
If your dog doesnt like baths, you can use medicated wipes instead. These wipes are ideal for treating mild cases of ringworm.
We love Dermabliss Medicated Skin Wipes by Vetnique Labs. This product contains Ketoconazole, which, again, is an antifungal drug thats also used in many antifungal creams.
Medicated spray
Similar to medicated wipes, you can use a medicated spray.
Here, too, we recommend Vetnique Labs Dermabliss Medicated Spray, which contains the same active ingredient as in their medicated wipes.
Fish oil
Although this isnt a treatment for fungal infections, the omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil can help your dog with itching and inflammation and make them less susceptible to dry skin and allergies.
Sardines, mackerel, and salmon oil are all great sources of omega-3 fatty acids.
In summary
Antifungal cream is a great way to help your dog with skin infections, but it should be used after consulting with a veterinarian and if the fungal infection only covers a small area of your dogs skin that they cant lick off.
Other alternative treatments include medicated shampoos, wipes, and sprays, as well as dietary supplements such as fish oil to alleviate some of the symptoms and prevent future flare-ups.
Sources
- Yeast Dermatitis in Dogs
