Just what the hell is Yeast Infection (Candida Albicans) ?

A yeast infection is caused by a yeast called Candida Albicans. Yeast is a normal part of the digestive tract. Like all yeasts, it thrives on sugars and carbohydrates, which are present in most commercial pet foods.

In healthy dogs, there are beneficial bacteria (such as Lactobacillus acidophilus) that metabolize sugars, thus keeping candida in check by disrupting its food supply. If the system is compromised in some way in the dog's body, it will provide a sugar-rich environment for candida to blossom.

Once there is an excess of candida in the dog's body, it will create a vicious cycle - candida cells produce toxic chemicals that kill beneficial bacteria and damage the body. In addition, waste products produced by candida are toxic chemicals that can slow the brain, causing fatigue and upsetting the immune system.

Once your dog is diagnosed with yeast, it is typically associated with very allergic pets. You may have tried rounds of antibiotics as well as topical creams and yet your dog still keeps itching and getting infections. Pets with yeast infections need to be healed from the inside out.

The end result? A systemic yeast infection in the dog.

If no action is not taken to kill off the single-celled candida, it can convert into a multi-celled fungal form. These cells will eventually penetrate the intestinal wall, diminishing the ability of the intestines to absorb vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and fatty acids, leading to nutritional deficiencies and a GI problem called "leaky gut syndrome", whereby bacteria, toxins, and undigested food "leak" through the intestinal wall into the bloodstream, causing chronic low-grade infections, inflammation, and autoimmune responses in the form of various kinds of allergies, such as food, environmental, or seasonal allergies.

A common practice is to treat with antibiotics, which does kill some of the candida, but also destroys the beneficial bacteria necessary for proper digestion and body function. Moreover, after the antibiotic treatment is stopped, the overgrowth resumes, causing a vicious cycle that is difficult to reverse.

There are many possibilities that can result in an over-abundance of candida albicans. The most common causes are listed below:

1. Improper Diet (inadequate protein, too many carbohydrates, no probiotics, digestive enzymes, dietary enzymes, unusable minerals)
2. Use of Certain Medication (overuse of antibiotics, over vaccinations, medications, tick preparations, heartworm medications)
3. Physical Health Problems (thyroid problems, hormone stress, inbreeding, illness which compromises the immune system, )
4. Mental Health Problems (stress, anxiousness, high strung hyperactive dogs, death/loss, change in environment or weather related, change in home or home environment, boarding, sensitivity to stimulus)

Symptoms –

These conditions can be accompanied by a secondary infection, which is what gets treated. On the outside, dog yeast infections look very much like skin irritations and allergies, with symptoms such as:

• itchy skin resulting in excessive licking, scratching, and biting
• redness or skin rashes, especially on the feet, face, tummy, underarm, or genital areas
• recurring hot spots
• dry and flaky skin, sometimes the skin may turn black or discolored
• hives
• bad odor
• eczema
• itching eyes
• hair loss
• red, irritated eyes
• excessive tearing
• coughing
• bouts of asthma attacks
• frequent sneezing
• abnormal nasal discharge

Dog yeast infections may also manifest themselves as:

• ear infections
• urinary tract infections
• bladder infections
• food allergies
• GI problems, such as bloating and gas, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, etc.
• bad breath
• anal sac problems
• joint pain
• malnutrition due to inability to absorb sufficient nutrients
• fatigue and lethargy

With so many symptoms impersonate so many different dog diseases, you can imagine that sometimes even veterinarians may misdiagnose a case of dog yeast infection as something else - very often, the secondary disease caused by the yeast infection (e.g. urinary infection) will be diagnosed, but the root cause (i.e. the yeast infection) will not. As such, localized treatment is given to cure the secondary disease (in this case, urinary infection) without addressing the underlying root cause.

If your dog unfortunately suffers from recurring infections (be it skin, ear, or others) or has allergies (skin or food) that do not seem to go away, dog candida may be the culprit.

Can we try to return the health back to your dog? The answer is YES - we can fix or reverse this mess, it takes time, patience and you changing some of the feeding practice with your pet. Prevention is the cure.

Major symptoms of a yeast infection surface in the shape of skin rashes, itching, redness, pimples and sometimes greasiness. A veterinarian will use a microscope, take a culture of skin scrapings or conduct a smear test to confirm the diagnosis. Itching induced by a yeast infection further leads to skin damage. If not attended to in time, this may lead to hair loss and further complications that may become difficult to handle.

Usually, a yeast infection is caused by some medical condition that has rendered the immune system incapable of functioning properly. Treatment with antibiotics, steroids, and other conventional drugs may bring temporary relief, but the patient soon returns with another flare-up, and symptoms progress. Topical treatments are not very effective as the dog is prone to lick them off. But many antifungal drugs have potentially serious side effects and they produce only temporary results. As soon as the prescription ends, surviving candida cells multiply, re-colonize, and activate another series of symptoms.

Shampoos containing antifungal agents in the form of a nitrate can help in treatment but only to a certain extent. Always bathe with a cleansing shampoo first. Cleansing shampoo is able to help clean out the body clean very effectively. Thereafter use a natural shampoo to help with the skin.

A natural approach to health is always better than choosing medication. Effective ways of preventing yeast infection include a healthy, balanced and nutritional diet, avoiding commercial dog foods, and keeping the dog dry whenever he gets wet.

Removing carbohydrates is the first step; the second step involves destroying the candida organism. This can be done by adding coconut oil to your dog’s food. For best results, begin with a small amount and gradually increase to the optimum dose. Dogs with yeast infection may need more, especially in the early stages of treatment. It is important to provide plenty of drinking water during this time to help flush out the toxins.

About two weeks after this treatment is started, it is very important to start rebuilding the beneficial stomach bacteria. Beneficial bacteria form a first line of defense against pathogens. Probiotics are popular treatments for Candida infections, but proper timing is important.

Yeast infection can be a very frustrating disease that takes a lot of commitment on your part. Following our program is not easy for many, however, when the yeast is under control, owners report considerable improvement and a new positive lifestyle for their dog.

*A consultation is highly recommended before any preventative treatment is started.