Will yogurt help a dog s yeast infection

Yeast Infections in Dogs: What to Know

Yeast infections in dogs are common, especially in certain breeds or dogs with underlying conditions and compromised immune systems. While they can occur anywhere on the skin, they are often seen in your dogs ears. Early diagnosis and treatment are key to preventing serious complications. Heres what to know about yeast infections in dogs to keep your dog healthy.

What Causes a Yeast Infection in Dogs?

Yeast is a live, single-celled microorganism classified as a member of the fungus kingdom. Its normally found on every dogs skin, but in small amounts. A yeast infection occurs when a substantial amount of yeast excessively builds up in one area.

Yeast infections often occur if there is an underlying medical condition, such as food sensitivities, environmental factors, or parasites, such as fleas, which can cause allergies, as well as the dermatological condition seborrhea. Bacterial infections or underlying hormonal problems may also throw the skins defenses off-balance. In the case of yeast infections of the ear, the most common causes are water or debris trapped in the ear or food sensitivities. Yeast infections of the ear could also be caused by underlying mechanical issues such as damage to the eardrum, a polyp, or even a mass or tumor in the ear canal.

Are Some Breeds More Susceptible to Yeast Infections?

Certain dog breeds are thought to be genetically predisposed to developing yeast infections. These breeds include the West Highland White Terrier, Basset Hound, Cocker Spaniel, Silky Terrier, Australian Terrier, Maltese, Chihuahua, Poodle, Shetland Sheepdog, Lhasa Apso, and Dachshund.

Dogs with floppy ears who swim often, such as Golden Retrievers and Labrador Retrievers, are more likely to get yeast infections. Breeds such as Miniature Schnauzers, Bichon Frise, and Shih Tzu are also more susceptible to infections because the thick hair in their ear canals hampers the airflow necessary to keep ears dry.

Any dog with allergies is also more likely to develop yeast infections.

Types of Yeast Infections in Dogs and How to Recognize Them

Yeast Infections in Ears

The ear canal of a dog is L-shaped, dropping down and toward the head. This dark, warm, moist environment is the perfect setting for a yeast infection to thrive. The two types of yeast most often found in a dogs ears are Candida and Malassezia.

Yeast infections can occur in any part of the dogs ear. A dog with a yeast infection in their ear may exhibit these symptoms:

• Scratching and digging at the ear
• Rubbing the head on the floor, walls, or furniture
• Excessive shaking of the head
• Musty odor
• Brown, yellow, or bloody discharge
• Crusted skin or fur on the ear flap
• Swelling and redness
• Hair loss around the base of the ear

Early diagnosis and treatment of a yeast infection in the ears are critical before it spreads deeper. If a yeast infection spreads deeper into the ear, it can cause serious pain and complications, such as loss of hearing, vestibular imbalance, or neurological damage.

Yeast Infections on Paws

A dogs paws are susceptible to yeast infections because they encounter wet, dirty ground, which means moisture and dirt are likely to be trapped between the toes and pads. Contact with grass and weeds can also trigger allergies or result in cuts and scratches. Dogs are likely to lick their irritated paws, which doesnt help, instead adding even more moisture.

If your dog has a yeast infection on the paws, you may see the following symptoms:

Excessive licking and chewing of the feet

• Redness and irritated skin
• Brown discharge in nailbeds
• Pink salivary staining on the hair around the paws
• Hair loss

There could be many reasons a dog excessively licks their paws, including anxiety, boredom, injury, parasites, bacteria, or allergies, including food sensitivities. Early examination, diagnosis, and appropriate treatment by a veterinarian can relieve discomfort and prevent complications. This is made using a combination of their medical history and diagnostic swabs of the debris or accompanying cells.

Yeast Infections on Skin

Yeast dermatitis, a skin inflammation caused by yeast infections, can spread to any area of a dogs skin. But its most likely to occur at the site of a rash or wherever there are skin folds that can trap moisture. Wrinkly breeds, such as the Chinese Shar-Pei, are especially vulnerable.

Symptoms of yeast infections of the skin include:

• Intense itching
• Red, irritated, inflamed skin
• Greasy, crusty, or flaky patches
• Thickening (elephant-like) skin
• Darker skin color
• Hair loss
• Musty smell

Although a yeast infection of the skin may start in a very specific area, if left untreated, it can spread and affect the entire body, including the dogs face and mouth. Often, there may be a secondary bacterial infection accompanying the yeast infection.

How to Treat Yeast Infections in Dogs

Depending on how deep in the ear canal a yeast infection is, the treatment will vary. The veterinarian will prescribe a topical antifungal cream for an infection in the outer ear. An infection of the middle ear may require antifungal drops or oral medication. The vet is likely to recommend a thorough cleaning of the ear and possibly ongoing treatment with ear-drying solutions.

Yeast infections on the paws may require treatment with a disinfectant spray to kill germs, as well as daily application of a topical antifungal lotion or spray. It may also be necessary to use an Elizabethan collar to keep the dog from licking the paws so they can stay dry while they heal.

Skin infections may require topical and oral treatment. Cleansing shampoos may clean up the greasy skin. Your vet may recommend using a medicated, antifungal shampoo and leaving it on the dogs skin for about 10 minutes. Bathing may need to be repeated for up to 12 weeks. The veterinarian will also prescribe an antifungal medication, as well as an antibiotic, to treat any bacterial skin infection that may occur along with yeast dermatitis.

How to Prevent Yeast Infections in Dogs

The good news is that yeast infections in dogs are not contagious to other dogs or humans. The most important thing to remember to prevent yeast infections is to keep the area clean and dry.

Too much moisture is a common cause of ear infections, so thoroughly drying your dogs ears after swimming and bathing can prevent moisture build-up. If your dog has a skin rash, musty smell, or is scratching or licking excessively, taking them to the veterinarian can prevent an infection from spreading and becoming more serious.

The prognosis for yeast infections is good when you follow the treatments your veterinarian gives you. Its important to understand that unless an underlying problem such as allergies, hypothyroidism, or seborrhea is controlled, a yeast infection is likely to come back.

6 Home Remedies for Yeast Infections That Actually Work

If you find yourself wondering if a fiery itch, thick vaginal discharge and redness or swelling are signs of a yeast infection, your doctor or a clinician at urgent care, even a telehealth provider is your first (and best!) line of defense. Ultimately, getting a prescribed treatment can help cure a vaginal yeast infection quickly and effectively without dragging out any of the irritating, painful symptoms. But if you're simply unable to make it to a doctor, there are other ways you may quell a suspected yeast infection with a few over-the-counter products, and even one or two household staples that come in handy when you're trying to prevent reinfection down the road.

The downside? Many of these solutions take much longer than antifungal medication to get your vaginal health back in balance, meaning you'll spend more time in potential discomfort. And while there has been limited research into the effectiveness of holistic vaginal yeast infection treatment using some of these DIY solutions, the evidence isn't as strong and established as it should be, explains Fenwa Milhouse, M.D., a board-certified urologist in private practice in Chicago.

"Yeast infections are fungal infections; in most cases, treatment is simple with quick resolution of any present symptoms," she tells us. "Home remedies may work for uncomplicated or simple cases of yeast infections, but will take longer to resolve without receiving clinical care."

What is a yeast infection?

Often triggered by an overgrowth of a fungus known as Candida albicans, yeast infections are more common than not, especially for women who have recently used antibiotics or may be experiencing hormone imbalances; and are more likely for those with diabetes or weakened immune systems. Yeast exists naturally in the flora of the vagina and is usually self-regulated in a healthy system. When an infection occurs, the following symptoms make it obvious that things are seemingly out of whack here are common symptoms that should clue you into a vaginal yeast infection, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):

• Itching, burning sensations along the vulva and vagina
• Vaginal soreness and tenderness
• Pain or discomfort while urinating
• Swelling and rash-like conditions of the vulva
• Thick discharge that may or may not be white in color

If you're experiencing any of these symptoms in any severity, heading to a clinic or speaking to your doctor when you're first noticing them is best before resorting to any DIY pain relief or infection solutions at home. Seeing a healthcare provider as soon as you notice these issues may also aid your doctor in detecting the true source of yeast overgrowth, especially if you have chronic infections. More often than not, antifungal medication may be the only way to truly restore balance in your vagina's microbiome.

What is the fastest way to get rid of a vaginal yeast infection?

It's true that there are over-the-counter solutions for yeast infections; but the fastest, safest way to treat a vaginal yeast infection is to receive a prescription for antifungal therapy medications from a doctor following an examination or in-clinic consult. Dr. Milhouse indicates that most providers suggest antifungal medication or topical antifungal ointments that are applied to the vagina directly. "Typically, the oral medication route only involves taking one tablet but complicated yeast infections will require longer duration oral medications," she adds, indicating that most providers rely on a medication known as fluconazole.

An extremely popular and effective product for treating mild yeast infections without a prescription is miconazole, often available at pharmacies and retailers as a topical cream, explains Taraneh Shirazian, M.D., a New York-based gynecologist and Monistat brand ambassador.

"Yeast infections can get better without treatment, but it often means a longer course. Many patients are symptomatic with itching, pain, and discharge," she says. "With the option of over-the-counter medications like Monistat, patients that know they have a yeast infection can easily treat at home and only seek clinical care if symptoms aren't improving, or if it's their first time feeling those symptoms."

If you choose to attempt to quell your infection at home, either with natural resources or over-the-counter medication, be sure to monitor your progress closely. Still experiencing painful symptoms more than a week after your first course of treatment? It's time to see a physician immediately, Dr. Shirazian adds, as pain, discharge and itching will need to be treated by more potent antifungal medications.

Home remedies for yeast infections

There isn't sufficient scientific evidence to suggest that most holistic tools including items on this list are effective alone for the most common variety of yeast infections prompted by Candida albicans. But healthcare providers have been aware of emerging research on a few natural alternative solutions for nagging yeast infections; most of the research indicates these remedies may be most effective at preventing yeast infections, and could potentially help to reinstate vaginal balance over a longer period of time.

Eat more Greek yogurt.

For years, women's health experts have danced around claims that probiotic-rich yogurt can be used as a topical agent to help clear up yeast infections. But the reality is that the very limited research available on applying yogurt directly to the vagina is shaky at best; even unprocessed Greek yogurt contains sugar naturally, which can fuel the growth of even more yeast in the end, according to materials published by the Cleveland Clinic. Doctors are more sure, however, that doubling down on eating more probiotics as you treat a vaginal yeast infection can only speed up the recovery process.

Unsweetened Greek yogurt is rich in live Lactobacillus bacteria that is particularly productive against C. albicans infections. But eating probiotic-rich foods like Greek yogurt can help expand the microbiome in your gastrointestinal tract, which researchers indicate may help to reset a yeast overgrowth elsewhere in the body. Choosing Greek yogurt specifically is a good way to ingest as many active cultures as possible at mealtime, Dr. Shirazian adds, and can boost the restorative efforts of other tactics you may be using to recover currently.

Use vitamin E suppositories.

Outside of pharmacy buys like Monistat, prepackaged vitamin E suppositories can help quell many of the active symptoms associated with a yeast infection. This is especially true for inflammation, as a 2020 study published in the journal Microorganisms indicates that inflammation triggered by C. albicans was largely soothed by vitamin E suppositories.

While the research is limited in nature, and more is needed to determine how yeast infections may be stymied by these particular suppositories, the fact that more established research suggests vitamin E may also play a role in offsetting atrophic vaginitis is promising. Vitamin E suppositories are readily available in pharmacies and online, and are often used as part of a holistic menopause treatment plan for many women.

Consider essential oil of oregano.

Dr. Milhouse says that extremely limited research in the form of a Journal of Applied Microbiology study indicates that essential oil of oregano was effective in neutralizing C. albicans in topical use. But these studies were conducted in lab in-vitro environments (read: test tubes!) and it's unclear if the same results would be achieved in humans.

Because essential oils can be dangerous when applied directly to the skin in various amounts, it's crucial to approach this tactic with the help of your primary healthcare provider. Oil of oregano is a potent ingredient (and not at all the same as the common oregano you'll find in local supermarkets).

It should not be used if you have a history of blood clotting or a vitamin K deficiency.

Give coconut oil a try.

Based on a 2018 study that suggests coconut oil dissolved in water served as an antimicrobial agent, those with frequent, recurrent vaginal yeast infections may consider employing coconut oil topically to keep bacterial landscapes in check. Its use as a preventative agent rather than an actual course of treatment for active yeast infections is likely much more effective in the end.

"We don't have enough evidence at this time to know if coconut oil could be as effective as a yeast infection treatment," Dr. Milhouse adds. "It's generally safe to use in the vulva and vagina, and has been shown in lab test tubes to have some antifungal properties."

If you decide to apply coconut oil in your vaginal region, ensure you're using pure, organic coconut oil, which you can simply apply to affected areas using clean hands.

Ask your doctor about boric acid suppositories.

For those with yeast infections, boric acid has been shown to employ an antifungal effect when used in vaginal suppositories. It is not often the first treatment option for most, but is usually reserved for recurrent infections that may be resistant to standard antifungal medications. While not a one-size-fits-all solution by any means, boric acid has a probiotic element as it contains Lactobacillales, meaning it may help bring yeast levels back bringing yeast levels back into range and keeping them there in the long run. A 2011 review published in the Journal of Women's Health indicated that boric acid suppositories were successful in stamping out yeast infections for a majority of patients in separate studies that also analyzed medications like fluconazole.

"There's good evidence that boric acid is an effective treatment for uncomplicated yeast infections, with a 65-70% success rate in women infected with Candida glabrata [Editor's note: Miconazole is a preferred alternative first line of treatment for this strain]," Dr. Milhouse says. "It should be used in the vagina nightly, ideally in a 600mg capsule, for 2 to 3 weeks on average."

It's true that boric acid may be available in grocery stores and other home retailers; but the safest option is to purchase pre-filled suppositories that are available in local pharmacies. You shouldnt attempt to create boric acid suppositories on your own, and should use pharmacy-sourced options ideally under the supervision of your doctor. Being in communication with your doctor about dosage and directions on these suppositories is crucial for proper use; they are highly toxic and potentially lethal if theyre ingested orally, for example.

Turn to lidocaine spray.

Even when using antifungal medications or other over-the-counter products to treat vaginal yeast overgrowth, lingering itching, swelling and rashes can be a constant nag while you're recovering at home. In this case, you'll need to find a tool that can provide numbing relief.

The most basic? According to Dr. Shirazian, you can find solid relief using a cold compress or an ice pack or by turning to lidocaine gel or spray designed for vaginal application. "These tools can provide numbing relief in the meantime," she adds.

Home remedies to avoid

These so-called yeast infection solutions aren't sufficiently supported by any form of medical research, and furthermore, doctors say they may end up causing you more pain than relief.

1. Garlic: Whether you wish to eat more of it, or use it in any topical sense near or in your vagina, garlic simply isn't a natural cure-all for yeast infections, Dr. Shirazian stresses. Despite established research on a compound in garlic known as allicin, which may contain antimicrobial and antibacterial properties, placing any form of garlic (yes, minced included!) inside of your vagina can easily cause further skin burning and irritation.
2. Apple Cider Vinegar: This homespun tale of quick relief can easily irritate the lining of the vagina when used as a douche, according to Dr. Milhouse. Using this vinegar to douche can greatly alter its pH balance and subsequent microbiome, which may lead to chronic yeast infections in the future. You may also be tempted to consider a soaking bath that's infused with apple cider vinegar due to a highlighted 2017 study, focused on a singular case of a woman who overcame near-constant yeast infections with topical apple cider vinegar. But nearly all care providers agree that something as astringent as apple cider vinegar is best left alone in the kitchen, and not used topically whatsoever near your vagina.
3. Hydrogen Peroxide: Just like apple cider vinegar, applying hydrogen peroxide directly to your vagina in the hopes of stemming a yeast infection can instantly impact your pH levels and leave you vulnerable to future incessant infections. Hydrogen peroxide's antifungal properties are appropriately reserved for open cuts and wounds elsewhere on your body. "Anything that disrupts vaginal pH, such as hydrogen peroxide, is not recommended," Dr. Shirazian clarifies.

Can a yeast infection go away on its own?

For those with busy schedules or upcoming trips and exciting plans, it's not what you want to hear but only the mildest yeast infections can be successfully treated using the at-home tools we've highlighted above. More often than not, especially if you are experiencing severe symptoms that are new to you, you'll need to call your doctor or head to an emergency clinic to confirm your diagnosis and to receive a prescription for antifungal medications.

The good news? These medications may work to resolve the yeast overgrowth, and quell subsequent symptoms, in as little as 24 hours. Most will clear up within days, and you should be able to resume normal routines soon.

You may have more success by incorporating holistic preventative measures into your routine targeted to preventing further yeast infections like probiotics, for example. Probiotic supplements containing Lactobacillus help to regulate your vagina's bacteria, especially those that contain more than 1 billion colony-forming units (CFUs), which can help stave off yeast overgrowth as well as issues like urinary tract infections.

..Zee Krstic

Content Strategy Manager, Hearst Magazines

Zee Krstic is a content strategy manager for Hearst Magazines, focusing on SEO optimization and other editorial strategies for four brands, including Country Living, House Beautiful, ELLE Decor and VERANDA. He previously served as Health Editor for Good Housekeeping between 2019 and 2023, covering health news, diet and fitness trends as well as executing wellness product reviews in conjunction with the Good Housekeeping Institute. Prior to joining Hearst, Zee fostered a strong background in women's lifestyle media with eight plus years of editorial experience, including as a site-wide editor at Martha Stewart Living after developing a nutrition background as an assistant editor at Cooking Light. Zee produces service-based health coverage, as well as design and travel content, for Hearst brands on a contributor basis; he has written about food and dining for Time, among other publications.

Carolyn W. Swenson, M.D. is an associate professor and division chief of urogynecology & reconstructive surgery at the University of Utah. As a board-certified specialist in female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery, Dr. Swenson is an expert in the medical and surgical management of pelvic floor disorders including pelvic organ prolapse, urinary incontinence, and obstetric-related pelvic floor symptoms. She lives in Salt Lake City with her husband and three kids.