How to get rid of fungus on dogs skin

Identifying and Treating Fungal Infections in Dogs

By Reyna Gobel

Bacteria and viruses are what typically spring to mind hen pet parents think infection, but fungi can also be to blame. While not as common as bacterial or viral infections, fungal infections can be just as serious. Dogs can contract fungal infections from other animals, from the environment, or as a result of the overgrowth of fungi that are naturally present on their own bodies. Every pet is potentially at risk for contracting a fungal infection, and an accurate diagnosis is necessary before appropriate treatment can begin. Read on to learn more about fungal infections in dogs.

Fungal Skin Infections

When your dog starts scratching himself more than is normal, it can be hard to tell whether its because of an allergy, flea bites, infection, or something else. Excessive itching can be quite worrisome, especially if your dog develops bald spots or damages his own skin as a result.

One telltale sign of fleas is the presence of flea dirt (small black clumps of flea feces) on your dogs skin and fur. If you see flea dirt or actual fleas, treat him right away. But if fleas or ticks arent to blame, dont self-diagnose or rely on Dr. Google, warns Dr. John DaJong, a veterinarian at Newton Animal Hospital in Massachusetts. After performing a complete physical exam, your veterinarian can conduct specific tests to help diagnose the problem and identify whether a fungal infection is to blame.

Lets look at two common types of fungal infections that affect the skin of dogs and how to treat them.

Ringworm

Ringworm is a common fungal infection in pets. It can affect a dogs skin, fur, and also the nails. Common symptoms include hair loss, itching, flaky or crusty skin, and misshapen or brittle nails. While you should treat any infection as soon as possible, time is of the essence with ringworm because it can easily spread to other household animals and humans, says Dr. Andrew Rosenberg, a veterinarian at Riverdale Veterinary Dermatology clinic in Riverdale, New Jersey.

To diagnose ringworm, your veterinarian will perform a fungal culture of hair or skin cells or a microscopic examination of a hair sample. Depending on the severity of the infection, ringworm may be treated with medicated baths and dips and/or oral antifungal medications. Vacuuming and disinfecting the house will also help lessen the chances that ringworm will spread between pets and people.

Yeast Infection

Overgrowth of yeast on a dogs body can lead to irritating yeast infections, commonly affecting the skin, paws, and ears. These infections can be extremely uncomfortable for dogs, says Rosenberg. Theyre generally secondary to allergies or other conditions that disrupt the skins ability to control the yeast that normally live there.

If I suspect a dog might have a yeast infection, I take an impression smear of the area that might be infected and look at it under a microscope, Rosenberg says. When the slide is stained, the yeast look like little purple peanuts.

Treatment normally involves an antiseptic or antifungal drug applied to the skin. Oral medications may be necessary in severe cases. Unlike ringworm, yeast infections arent contagious to other pets or people. To prevent yeast infections from recurring, its important to treat any underlying conditions as recommended by your veterinarian.

If your pet is constantly itching and scratching, schedule an appointment with your veterinarian. Unfortunately, not all conditions can be solved with one visit. Sometimes it could take several visits to pinpoint the cause of your dogs itching or require a visit to a veterinary dermatologist, Rosenberg says.

Systemic Fungal Infections

Fungal infections on the surface of the body are bad enough, but those that invade deeper structures can have even more serious consequences. Lets look at several common types of systemic fungal infections in dogs and how to treat them.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis is most commonly diagnosed in dogs that have spent time in Mississippi, Ohio, Missouri, Tennessee, the St. Lawrence River valley, the mid-Atlantic, and around the Great Lakes because the types of soil that are typically found in these areas support the growth of the fungus. Dogs that spend time sniffing around in the dirt are at risk for inhaling fungal spores, which can lead to a lung infection, says Dr. Jennifer Coates, veterinarian and author of Dictionary of Veterinary Terms, Vet-Speak Deciphered for the Non-Veterinarian. From there, the organism can travel almost anywhere in the body. According to Coates, common symptoms include poor appetite, weight loss, coughing, difficulty breathing, limping, eye problems, skin lesions (particularly around the toenails), enlarged lymph nodes, and fever. If the disease is caught early enough, treatment with an oral anti-fungal medication can be curative.

Cryptococcosis

While cats are more commonly infected with the fungus Cryptococcus, Coates says dogs tend to develop a more severe form of the disease. The fungus is present in soils world-wide but may be especially prevalent in areas where pigeons and other birds congregate. As is the case with blastomycosis, dogs typically inhale the Cryptococcus fungus, leading to a lung infection. It can then spread almost anywhere in the body, which can cause symptoms ranging from lethargy, coughing, nasal discharge, eye problems, skin lesions, and even seizures and other neurologic abnormalities. Coates warns that treating cryptococosis can be difficult. Oral antifungal medications may need to be given for a year or more and some dogs will still succumb to the disease.

Coccidioidomycosis

Dogs can get coccidioidomycosis (also known as Valley Fever) from inhaling dust or dirt that contains coccidioides fungal spores,says Dr. Carol Hillhouse, a veterinarian in Panhandle, Texas. It tends to grow in desert areas with little rain and sandy soil, such as California, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas, she says. Strong winds, earthquakes, construction areas, and even crop harvesting can stir up the spores into the air.

Once the spores are inhaled, the fungus may simply cause a chronic cough, Hillhouse says. In other cases, especially if immunosuppressed, the dog may develop pneumonia or the fungus can spread to other areas in the body, such as bone or the eyes, she says. It can be difficult to diagnose, and usually requires radiographs, blood, and cell testing. Valley fever requires long-term treatment with oral antifungal medications, but the prognosis is pretty good if caught early, she says.

Histoplasmosis

Another soil-borne fungus, Histoplasma, prefers the temperate climates of Ohio, Mississippi, and Missouri River Valleys, Hillhouse says. This fungus grows best in nitrogen-rich soil, such as bird and bat excrement, and is usually acquired by inhalation of the organism from the environment.Infected dogs can show weight loss, fever, cough, eye inflammation, vomiting, and diarrhea, she says. Often, a combination of blood and urine tests, as well as radiographs, are used to make the diagnosis. Sometimes biopsies are required as well. Treatment involves long-term fungal medication, but prevention is best by restricting access to soil that is contaminated with bird or bat droppings.

Aspergillosis

Infections with Aspergillusfungus are usually limited to a dogs nasal passages. Aspergillosis can affect dogs residing in almost any part of the country since the fungus is present in most soils. Treatment typically involves anesthetizing the pet and infusing his nasal passages with a liquid anti-fungal medication. Most dogs will recover if treated appropriately, although a second treatment may be necessary in some cases.

Preventing Fungal Infections in Dogs

Fungal infections in dogs range from localized annoyances to potentially fatal systemic diseases. Prevention is not always possible, but common sense measures can help. If you live in an area where a certain type of fungal infection is endemic, avoid high risk environments. Pets with ringworm should be isolated to limit the spread of the disease to people or other animals. Finally, appropriately manage any underlying health problems that increase your dogs risk for developing a fungal infection.

Dog Skin Fungus Treatment

Skin fungus treatment in dogs is very important, in order to give your pet the comfort he needs. Skin fungal infections are frequently yeast infections or ringworm infections. Dogs with a weak immune system, especially puppies and older dogs, are more exposed to this type of infection. Some fungal skin infections (such as ringworm) can also be transmitted to humans, so it is better to treat your dog when the first symptoms appear so that you decrease the risk ofdeveloping a skin problem yourself.

Dog Skin Fungus Treatment

Whenever you spot any abnormal-looking areas on your dog's skin, it is best to take him for a veterinary checkup. If the abnormality looks like a circular red welt, you might be dealing with a fungal infection known as ringworm.

It is recommended to clip the hair around the lesion before applying skin fungus treatment. Depending on the exact type of fungal infection, the veterinarian can prescribe a treatment which usually consists of:

You should be careful, because these treatments can cause side effects in your pet such as allergies or skin irritation. You can consult a homeopathic veterinarian for an alternative type of skin fungus treatment, consisting of natural remedies.

Natural Remedies for Fungal Infections

Natural treatments don't have any side effects in your pet and they are designed to deal with the overall health of your dog. There are recipes of homeopathic remedies made to improve the function of the immune system and help the body fight the fungal infections. Remedies based on various compounds can help with skin infections and provide your pet with healthy skin:

• Tea tree oil extracts
• Marigold
• Neem
• Witch hazel

Causes of Dog Fungal Infections

Skin fungal infections are caused by various types of fungi such as microsporum and trichophyton. The fungi usually live in soil, plants, decaying leaves and animal waste. If they're inhaled, touched or ingested, they can cause a series of conditions ranging from mild skin infections to serious systemic diseases. Since the fungi live in soil, your dog is actually exposed every time he goes out. When on a dog's body, it may also be found in dead skin tissue, nails and hairs.

Complications of Skin Fungal Infections

The infections can be of several types, depending on the exact type of fungus that produces it. Some fungi affect only the skin, but others cause more systemic problems, attacking internal organs as well. Blastomycosis is a fungal infection which attacks one or more body systems: nervous, muskuloskeletal, respiratory and it can also affect the skin.

Candidiasis also causes skin problems and affects the gastrointestinal system and oral cavities. Histoplasmosis is an infection which causes damage in the liver, the eyes, the gastrointestinal system and the bone marrow, typically starting up as a skin condition.

Given the wide variety of fungal infections, it is best to have your pet checked by a veterinarian as soon as you suspect something is wrong.

How Do I Treat My Dog Foot Fungus?

Have you noticed your dog licking or itching his/her paws more than usual? If your answer is yes, it could well be due to a fungal infection in his/her foot. Although these infections are not fatal, they do get severe gradually and should be treated properly. In this article, we have tried to provide you with some important guidelines to treat dog foot fungus.

Dog Nail Fungus vs. Dog Foot Fungus

It is important to determine the exact cause of dog foot fungus to ensure the appropriate treatment. Keep reading to know the key differences between dog nail infection and yeast infection.

Nail Fungal Infection

A variety of factors can cause nail fungal infections but the most prominent one is a microbe, called Blastomyces dermatitidis. The dogs that live near wet and marshy areas, like rivers and streams, are more vulnerable to these types of infections.

Dog nail fungus is marked bythe crusting of nails and surrounding skin that causes the nail to appear dull. The main symptoms of this condition include itching, excessive licking, and scratching at the affected paws. Likewise, the nails that are affected by fungus get brittle and can break quite easily. This type of fungal infection is more common in dogs with furry paws.

Yeast Infection

Yeast andringwormare the most common types of fungus that may infect your dogs feet. Foot fungus often grows when the paws are muddy and wet for a long time.Malassezia pachydermatis is what causes dog foot fungus in most cases.

Actually, this yeast exists naturally in a dogs skin. However, it comes to the outer layer of the skin only when it overgrows. This fungus releases protease that breaks down the protein in the skin and catalysis the further growth of yeast. Dogs that are suffering from allergies or consuming antibiotics are more prone to yeast infections.

How Do You Treat Fungal Infections in Dogs?

The most common medical treatment for these infections is the use of antibiotics. However, if the infection is not very serious, dog foot fungus can also be managed by using the following measures.

NOTE: You should always consult your vet to design a proper treatment plan.

Keep the Skin Dry and Clean

This is the first thing that you should do to treat (and prevent) dog foot fungus. Make this a habit to wash your poochs feet whenever he/she comes from outside and the paws are looking muddy. Dont forget to dry the paws thoroughly because the fungus grows rapidly in moist conditions. You can also try dog boots to keep his/her paws clean if your canine companion is comfortable with them.

Healthy Diet

A monotonic diet increases the chances of yeast infection, especially if it contains a lot of carbohydrates. Ingredients, like corn syrup, are extremely unhealthy for canines and should never be included in their meal. Its best to consult your vet and develop a healthy diet plan to fight against dog foot fungus.

Use Apple Cedar Vinegar

Vinegar contains an acid that is ideal for removing fungus (which prefers an alkaline environment) from your dogs feet. Therefore, you should spray your dogs coat with apple vinegar (once a week) to keep the yeast under control. Most users use a 1:1 solution of water and apple cedar vinegar.

You can also use white vinegar, but apple cedar vinegar is preferred because it contains some other useful elements for your dogs skin.

Use Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is another great remedy for the treatment of fungal infections. It contains a good combination of antioxidants (Vitamin E and K) and healthy fatty acids (myristic and caproic acid). Antioxidants protect the skin against fungus while fatty acids can heal the skin from scratches.

What About a Dog Foot Fungus Treatment?

The following are some guidelines that can help you treat dog foot fungus, efficiently.

Remove the Debris Start by removing any rubble or filth from your dogs paws (with the help of tweezers). You can even trim some fur, if necessary, to have a clear look. If the piece of debris is too big, dont try to remove it yourself because it can cause bleeding. In these cases, an immediate trip to the vet is recommended.

Soothe the Infected Paw Once the debris is removed, make a solution by adding 8 teaspoons of salt in 8 cups of warm water. Soak your dogs paw in this solution for about 20-25 minutes. Repeat this remedy three times a day to relieve the discomfort. Always make sure that the dogs foot is dried thoroughly (but gently) with a dry towel to remove excessive moisture.

Use Anti-Fungal Shampoo If the saline water remedy seems to work, you can also add an anti-fungal shampoo to it. This will help in speeding up the healing process.

Apply a Bandage Wrap the dogs foot in a clean bandage and ensure that your pup doesnt chew and bite through it. Check the bandage daily and change it immediately if the bandage is damaged.

Antibiotics If no improvement is observed after 3-4 days of this treatment, you should take your dog to the vet. This is because the infection could be a serious one that will need antibiotics.

How Can I Treat My Dogs Toenail Fungus?

The use of topical ointments is one of the most effective ways to treat dog nail infections. These ointments are rubbed on the affected nails and you should follow the method demonstrated by the vet to apply them.

Alternatively, Epsom salt is also quite beneficial for treating a dogs toenail fungus. Dissolve one tablespoon of this salt in 4 cups of water to make a solution. Soak the paw of your pup in this solution for 10-15 minutes and then dry it thoroughly. Epsom salt is not only useful against fungus, but it also cures any kind of sore caused by the infection.

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