Causes Of A Rash On A Dog’s Belly
A rash on a dog’s belly is not an unusual finding. Indeed, if your dog has one, rest assured you are not alone. Actually, you are pretty good company, rashes in dogs are quite common. Indeed, you can almost count on your dog getting a skin rash at least once in his or her lifetime. In general, a rash on a dog’s belly should not be a cause for concern. However, rashes can be very uncomfortable for your dog and sometimes it may lead to other health concerns. Treatment for a skin rash on a dog’s belly may vary depending on their underlying cause. It’s always best that you see your vet for proper diagnosis and treatment.
Presence of a Rash on a Dog’s Belly
Sometimes a rash on a dog’s belly may stem from contact with something in the environment and the rash can be a sign of an allergic reaction. The stomach and legs are the most vulnerable to this condition, which most dogs try to relieve by excessive scratching.
The rash on a dog’s belly may have acne-type lesions that could indicate a superficial bacterial infection or yellow scales that may be from yeast or fungal infection.
Your veterinarian will prescribe an oral or injectable antibiotic for resolution of the skin lesions and an anti-histamine or steroid medication to help relieve the itch and prevent further scratching of the area.
Oral Treatment For Dog Yeast Infections
Kelso points out that sometimes topical medications just aren’t effective, especially for dogs that hate bath time or have long, dense coats that make it hard to get topical treatments on the skin. In these situations, oral treatment may be the only option.
Taking an antifungal pill can also be better for more advanced yeast infection cases because it kills yeast fast. But prescriptions like ketoconazole, fluconazole, itraconazole, and terbinafine aren’t without a downsidethey can also cause stomach upset and affect the liver. According to Kelso, monitoring your pet with regular blood work is necessary during oral treatment.
Recovery And Management Of Yeast Infection In Dogs
Recovery depends on the severity of the infection. If its mild and caught in the early stages, it can clear up in a few days. If its a severe infection, it can take up to a few weeks to completely heal.
Managing a yeast infection requires continuous monitoring of your dogs immune system. Frequent baths with antifungal shampoo and sprays will help soothe the skin, although you should check with your veterinarian before beginning any at-home treatments.
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Apply A Barrier Cream
One of the ways you can help your skin heal properly â and prevent intertrigo from getting worse â is to create a moisture barrier, Dr. Ashinoff tells LIVESTRONG.com.
After youve made sure the affected area is clean and dry, she suggests applying a barrier cream of zinc oxide paste, such as a diaper rash ointment. This helps create a seal to block moisture from seeping in and causing irritation.
Dr. Marmon notes that using a barrier cream with zinc oxide or an ointment with petrolatum can also help prevent skin or fat folds from rubbing against each other, which is another source of irritation.
Note that if your doctor has prescribed a treatment cream, you should apply that to your skin first, then, once the infection has cleared up, apply the barrier cream to keep moisture out.
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Destroy The Yeast Biofilm
Yeast cells have a protective shell made up of several layers. This tough outer shell is called a biofilm and its what makes yeast tough to kill. Once this protective biofilm is stripped off, the yeast no longer has a safe house to protect it from the immune system. Digestive enzymes are special proteins that help your dog digest his food. Theyre also the enemy of yeast they can digest yeasts biofilm. And while yeast can build up immunity to some antifungal meds, theyre always susceptible to enzymes.
The biofilm is mainly made of fiber, but also fats and proteins so its important to use digestive enzymes that break down all three of these substances. An important addition is cellulase, a plant-based digestive enzyme. Cellulase breaks down the fiber in yeasts shell but your dog doesnt manufacture it, so it needs to be given as a supplement. Other digestive enzymes will break down the fats and proteins in the biofilm.
Its important to give your dog digestive enzymes between meals. If given with meals, the enzymes will digest your dogs food and not the yeast cell walls. Enzymes will also make your dogs digestive tract more acidic, which makes it less hospitable to both yeast and harmful bacteria. Another benefit to digestive enzymes is that they can reduce the symptoms of yeast die-off. If your dog becomes too uncomfortable, you can increase the digestive enzymes or reduce the amount of anti-fungal foods.
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What Does A Dog Belly Rash Look Like
You may think of a rash as a swath of red, irritated skin, but not all rashes look the same. Some rashes have bumps that pop up, while others cause oozing and seeping. If your pup develops a belly rash, Trusted SourceAmerican Kennel Club Registry of purebred dog pedigrees.Go to source you may notice the following signs:
A belly rash can also make your dog compulsively lick or chew at the area, making their skin even more irritated, which can potentially lead to a secondary bacterial infection. If you notice your four-legged friend is nibbling away at their stomach, they may have a belly rash, which means its time to head to the vet.
What Causes Yeast Infections On Dogs Skin
There are a few different things that can cause yeast infections on dogs skin. One of the most common is allergies or allergic dermatitis. Dogs can be allergic to anything from pollen to food, and when their skin comes into contact with an allergen, it can disrupt the natural balance of yeast on their skin. This can cause yeast overgrowth and result in an infection.
Other common causes of yeast infections in dogs include:
– Autoimmune disease
– Use of topical steroids
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Topical Treatment For Skin Yeast Infections
Topical treatments for canine yeast infection on the skin include shampoos, ointments, and wipes. Kelso says that using them will typically involve a few steps:
How Your Dogs Yeast Infection Is Diagnosed
The only surefire way to tell if your dog has a yeast infection is to take him to the vet. Your vet will take a sample from your dog’s infected ear or skin by swab or scrape, with a piece of tape, or by simply pressing a microscope slide along the skin. Reviewing this sample under a microscope can reveal if your pup has yeast and how much of it there is.
In addition, your vet will analyze the sample for other issues. “Frequently, dogs with yeast also have bacterial infections or skin mites ,” Kelso says. “In these cases, treating only the yeast won’t solve the problem.”
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What To Feed A Dog With A Yeast Infection
The best diet for a dog with yeast is a whole food, raw diet, avoiding any starchy carbohydrates. Then, once youve stopped feeding the yeast and youve broken up the biofilm, youll want to add antifungal foods and supplements to your dogs diet. Use as many as your dog can tolerate but if hes showing signs of yeast die-off, go more slowly. Here are some of the top performing antifungal foods:
Caprylic Acid
This is a medium chain triglyceride found in coconut oil and palm oil. Of course, you want to be kind to the planet and make sure your caprylic acid never comes from palm oil. Research shows caprylic acid can directly treat some yeast infections. Its believed it can destroy Candida by destroying its cell membrane. Ideally, your dogs caprylic acid would come from MCT oil. Research done on the benefits of coconut oil werent done on the same coconut oil you would buy at the grocery store they were done using only the MCTs.
Coconut oil is also a poor choice for managing yeast infection in dogs because of its lauric acid content. Lauric acid promotes inflammation in the digestive tract. This is a key cause of leaky gut. So a good quality MCT oil might be a better source of caprylic acid than coconut oil. And as a bonus, its been shown to be a potential way to manage seizures in dogs.
MCT oil can cause diarrhea in your dog if you give too much. So start slowly and work your way up. Try starting at a quarter tsp for large and medium sized dogs.
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What Are The Symptoms Of A Yeast Infection In A Dog
Some of the more usual symptoms of yeast dermatitis in a dog are:
Itching this can be intense. It can be limited to specific areas or it can make the dog itchy all over. Affected areas often appear pink or sore, and you might see saliva staining on the coat from prolonged licking. Saliva staining is easy to spot. The hairs tend to turn a pinkish brown where the minerals from the dogs saliva have stained it. Even ears can look saliva-stained if a dog has been scratching at their ears and licking their paws.
Recurrent or chronic ear infections Sometimes, a dog who has been treated for bacterial otitis externa goes on to develop a yeast infection. A dog with a yeast infection in their ear often has a brownish, waxy, smelly, ear discharge.
A strong smell One noticeable feature of yeast infection in dogs is an unpleasant smell. Malassezia infections tend to produce a characteristic, strong, musty smell.
Seborrhea a term that describes flaky, sometimes greasy skin. Irritation causes the sebaceous glands in the skin to become over-active and secrete an excess of sebum. The dead skin cells that normally leave the surface of the skin unnoticed as a powder can no longer do this, as theyre glued together by the excess sebum. Clumps of dead skin cells start to appear as yellowish or greyish flakes and the underlying skin often looks pink and inflamed.
Crusty areas or raised, crusty spots may appear on your dogs skin.
Crusty or hairless areas around the mouth.
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What Will Be Noticeable
Having a yeast infection of the epidermis will show obviously similar results to that of a yeast infection any place else but there is no discharge from the genitals. Yeast infections in the folds of skin or groin areas will be bright pinkish red in color, almost like a blushing color. There may be patches of rash on the skin that will leak clear fluid this can be seen in a yeast infection anywhere outside the body. In some places this fluid may not be apparent at first. Bumps which may look like pimples will also be apparent in areas where the skin has a yeast infection present as well as itching. Itching can be confused for different diseases in the groin so be aware to look for the other signs of a yeast infection.
Causes Of Yeast Infections In Dogs
Small numbers of malassezia regularly live on healthy dogs. Normally, the immune system keeps yeast numbers in check. A yeast infection occurs when something compromises the health or balance of the skin or ears, causing yeast to overgrow. Conditions that can predispose dogs to yeast overgrowth include inhalant allergies food allergies hormonal conditions such as thyroid disease, diabetes and hyperadrenocorticism and anything that negatively impacts the immune system.
In addition, dogs can develop a version of swimmer’s ear. Yeast loves moisture. If your dog swims or plays in water a lot, or if you don’t dry out their ears after bathing them, then the wet environment in the ear canal can predispose them to a yeasty ear infection.
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What Causes A Dog Yeast Infection
Malassezia is a type of yeast that naturally lives on a dog’s skin, in his ears, and in his . Normally, it’s kept in check by a healthy immune system. When the yeast grows out of control, it irritates the skin and causes yeast dermatitis .
- West Highland white terriers
But they’re not the only dogs who can get a yeast infection. In fact, any pup can get a yeast infection, which can be caused by something that lowers the immune system response or disrupts the skin’s natural balance, causing yeast to multiply and spread. Common causes of yeast infections in dogs include:
How Is Yeast Dermatitis Diagnosed
There are several techniques used to collect samples for diagnosing yeast dermatitis:
- Skin scraping – scraping the skin with a blade to collect yeast organisms
- Impression smear – pressing a microscope slide on the skin to collect yeast organisms.
- Cotton swab sample – rubbing a moistened swab on the skin to collect yeast organisms.
- Acetate tape preparations – applying a piece of clear tape to the skin to collect yeast organisms.
- Skin biopsy – obtaining a small piece of skin with a biopsy punch. This is the most invasive diagnostic test, but provides the most complete diagnostic information.
Once the sample is obtained, it is examined by a veterinary pathologist under the microscope.
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Allergic Or Contact Dermatitis
The best way to avoid getting a rash as a result of these allergies is to avoid the allergen.
Your dog may have eaten or inhaled something like mold, or pollen, or come into contact with poison ivy, fertilizer, road salt, hay, or other irritant. The subsequent rash is often itchy, so your dog will try to relieve the sensation with excessive scratching, biting or licking. And because its an allergic reaction, multiple other symptoms can shortly plague your dog, including watery eyes, sneezing, paw-licking or biting, diarrhea and vomiting, and hair loss.
It appears that certain dog breeds have a higher risk of suffering from allergies, including terriers, German Shepherds, Standard poodles, golden retrievers, and breeds with flat faces like the Pug, Bull-Dog and Boston Terrier.
Clearly the best way to avoid getting a rash as a result of these allergies is to avoid the allergen as much as possible. As a preventative, vacuum frequently, bathe your dog with a hypoallergenic shampoo or a gentle but dynamic medicated Shampoo such as Banixx. Consider a change in her diet, etc. Moreover, if you feel the rash is the result of an external source such as poison ivy or other plants, avoid those areas where those plants may be growing. If they happen go be your backyard, its best to simple remove them.
If the rash persists, consult with your veterinarian. She may be able to pinpoint more clearly what the allergen is or might even diagnose another condition altogether .
What Are The Treatment Options For Yeast Infection In Dogs
Treatment options for a yeast infection on dogs skin include systemic and topical therapeutic options.
Topical Therapy – Topical therapy is very beneficial for areas of the skin and paws that are affected by yeast. This therapy helps to soothe the skin and also has anti-fungal properties.
Various topical agents have been effective in the treatment of yeast infections, including:
– Antifungal wipes
– Topical antifungal creams or ointments
Systemic Therapy – Systemic therapy is used to treat yeast infections that are more widespread or severe. This type of therapy helps to target the yeast infection from the inside out.
Oral antifungal medications are typically used to treat systemic yeast infections. These include:
– Ketoconazole
– Itraconazole
– Fluconazole
Systemic therapy is typically reserved for more severe generalized cases of yeast infection, or for yeast infections that do not respond to topical therapy.
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More About Yeast Infections In Dogs
Depending upon the extent of the lesions and the severity of the symptoms, a yeast infection on a dogs skin might be treated using topical treatments, systemic medications or a combination of both.
Practical considerations also need to be taken into account. Your dogs coat type and temperament could influence which types of treatment are going to be practicable for you to use. Also, your own lifestyle and existing commitments might determine how easily youll be able to complete a particular course of treatment, or whether an alternative approach might be required. Skin problems can take weeks to resolve and patience and perseverance will be needed.
When your vet prescribes medication for your dog, its important you feel confident with how to use or apply the products. For instance, some shampoos used to treat yeast infection in dogs need to be left on for 10 minutes before theyre rinsed off, so that the active ingredients have time to work. If your dog needs to have ear drops, ask your vet or nurse to show you the best way to apply these. A dogs ear canal is L-shaped and, unless the drops are applied correctly, the product may not get far enough into the ear canal to do any good.
Dont be afraid to ask for guidance in the use of medications and treatments its far better than finding out too late that they havent been effective because you didnt understand the correct way to use them.
Normally, yeast occur in dogs ears in low numbers and doesnt cause problems.