What is an at home antifungal treatment for dogs

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.

Can I use antifungal cream on my dog?

Fungal skin infections are common and can be uncomfortable for dogs. There are a few common triggers: skin mites, ringworm, or an overgrowth of yeast (Malassezia) on dogs with environmental or food allergies.

Allergies

Dogs with allergies are itchy and often lick their feet and other body parts. The constant licking can quickly create hot spots, lesions, or moist areas for yeast to grow.

Ringworm

The other common fungal skin infection that dogs are susceptible to is ringworm. Ringworm does not refer to a parasitic worm but instead, a fungus spread by spores found in the environment, on contaminated surfaces, or by coming into contact with pets or people that have the infection. Its named for the ring-shaped raised, red, and hairless skin lesions that form on a dogs skin.

Yeast infections

Yeast infections and irritation caused by yeast can be successfully addressed by antifungal medication. These are relatively common infection types in dogs, which can be caused by direct contact with yeast in your dogs environmentpossibly leading to subsequent overgrowth of natural yeast on your pups skin. To treat, your vet may recommend the usual dose of Zymox topical cream or similar products, all of which can be calculated for your pets weight.

Breed predisposition

Certain types of dog breeds may be more prone to yeast infections than others. Generally, these breeds have heavier coats or looser skin that can trap fungal cells, debris, moisture, and yeast against your dogs skin. Some breeds that fall into this category can include:

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These 6 products contain natural antibiotics for dogs

Are natural antibiotics for dogs safe?

Yes, natural antibiotics for dogs are safe for your pet if you use them correctly. Some pets with certain conditions should avoid certain natural remedies, so carefully research each option thoroughly and speak to your vet before administering anything to your dog.

Should natural antibiotics be used in place of regular antibiotics?

No. Medical antibiotics can have undesirable side effects, but sometimes using them is necessary to cure an infection.

A great natural antibiotic is more effective when used as an initial measure, or a preventative measure to stop any infection or inflammation from getting worse. You should always consult a vet before switching medical antibiotics for natural ones.

When shouldnt you use natural antibiotics for dogs?

There are a few scenarios when you wouldnt want to opt for natural antibiotics. These are:

• If your dog has specific medical or health conditions.
• If your dog already takes medication.
• If your dog is seriously ill and needs medical antibiotics.
• If your dog has responded badly or had an allergic reaction to natural antibiotics in the past.

What products are natural remedies for dogs?

The good news is that there are many different great natural antibiotic options for dogs. They include foods, oils, herbs, and plants with antibacterial properties. These foods and essential oils may help prevent bacterial infections and create useful home remedies for your dog.

Remember, consult your vet before administering any natural antibiotics to your dog.

What is the strongest natural antibiotic for dogs?

Debate is ongoing about the natural antibiotic that works the best for dogs. To date, two natural antibiotics stand out from the pack: manuka honey and turmeric.

Manuka honey is considered one of the strongest natural antibiotics for dogs. It is used to treat wounds and lesions. Manuka honey also helps reduce inflammation.

Some experts believe turmeric is among the best natural antibiotics for pets and people. Turmeric contains a lot of powerful ingredients that are beneficial to overall health. Plus, its been shown to help heal bacterial and fungal infections.

What are the benefits of using the best natural antibiotics for dogs?

Here are the 4 biggest benefits of using natural antibiotics to help prevent infections or complement antibiotics used by your vet:

• Low risk of side effects. Its unlikely that your dog will experience long-term side effects.
• Healing properties. Natural remedies have antiviral and antifungal properties.
• Easy-to-find ingredients. Natural antibiotics contain ingredients you can buy over the counter.
• Low risk of indigestion. The ingredients in natural remedies are easy to process.

Ask a vet about the benefits of using natural remedies for dogs versus conventional antibiotics to help you decide which options are the right ones for your pet.

How can I get antibiotics for my dog without going to the vet?

You can buy over-the-counter (OTC) antibiotics at a pet store or online. These antibiotics are available without a prescription. Its important to remember that different bacterias can cause the same symptoms, and OTC antibiotics may not treat the infection your pet is dealing with, or get rid of it entirely. Because of this, the results of OTC antibiotics for dogs vary.

If your dog is dealing with a severe infection, err on the side of caution by going to a vet. At this point, a vet can diagnose and treat your dog and prescribe antibiotics as needed.