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underarm yeast infection

50K views 14 replies 8 participants last post by  dana3365 
"I have heard of yeast infections in their ears-but have you seen this under the arms?"

very common in basset. This is a warm moist area with skin folds that allow yeast to thrive. Some find baby powder or similar drying agent is all that is necessary to keep it from becoming and ongoing problem.

However most yeast infections have an underlying cause. In basset hounds one of those underlying causes is ussual an allergy or seborrhea. One the yeast infection is under control The vet may start looking for a cause.

some useful links

MALESSEZIA DERMATITIS "So what conditions lead to a yeast proliferation? An increase in skin oils (which often occurs in an allergic flare up) would be the most common situation. Sometimes there is an immune deficiency which allows the yeast proliferation. Some animals are battling seborrhea (excessive oil production of the skin) and thus are naturally predisposed to the yeast proliferation. Some animals are actually allergic to the yeasts themselves. The most important thing to realize is that yeast infections are not contagious but they tend to recur unless the underlying allergy, seborrhea, or whatever problem is controlled.

The following breeds are predisposed genetically to yeast infections: the West Highland White Terrier, Basset hound, Cocker spaniel, Silky terrier, Australian terrier, Maltese, Chihuahua, Poodle, Shetland sheepdog, Lhasa apso, and the dachshund"

Seborrhea "Primary seborrhea is an inherited disorder of the skin in which the outer layer of the skin (the epidermis), the sebaceous glands, and part of the hair follicles are hyperproductive. The rate of cell turnover in these tissues is significantly increased, causing excessive production of scale (dry flakes of skin) and sebum (fatty lubricating substance). Seborrhea oleosa is the more greasy form while seborrhea sicca is a dryer form. Many dogs have a combination of both types. Chronic waxy ear infections (otitis externa) also occur commonly as part of this disorder.

Signs of primary seborrhea are usually apparent by a year of age. Affected dogs are often greasy, scaly and smelly.

...Primary seborrhea is most commonly seen in the American cocker spaniel, West Highland white terrier, English springer spaniel, and Basset hound"

Merk Veterinary Manual - Seborrhea Introduction

[ January 30, 2006, 08:51 PM: Message edited by: Mikey T ]
 
"Would regular bathing help with the yeast infections? "

Depends on the cause of the yeast infection, If it is a result of Seborrhea frequent baths would help provide it is with the proper medicated shampoo, If it is allergies or other cause it is much less likely to help.

Also frequent baths on dogs with normal skin can cause the skin to dry out. That sounds good for preventing yeast infections right? Not really cause often what happens with dry skin is the oil gland go into over production actual making it a much more conducive environment for yeast.

Your probably more likely to increase the risk of a yeast infection with frequent bath but as stated above there is no simple yes or no answer it depends on the cause.
 
It seems to help along with cleaning the underarms with alcohol to keep it dried out
besides a drying agent alcohol is antimicrobial as well

You can try malacetic wipe acetic acid (vinegar) and boric acid 1% or make your own wipes using vinegar, listerine, witch hazel etc.

If the dog is not licking the area medicated (athelets foots powders) work well at keeping yeast/fugus in check as well.
 
I know like Mikey T says I think it is an under lying problem from allergies. Have you though if you aren't already on it a grain free food? That's one of the biggest food allergies
A year round problem tends not to be atopy because that is generally seasonal in naturel but some dogs have multiple allergies or are allerging to indoor contaminantes like dust/dustmites etc. Food allergies are another allergic source that is consistent for year round problem but food allergies acount for only 10-15% of alll allergies in dogs so it is much less freguent than made out and dogs the suffer from food allergies also tend to have other allergies as well.

I think it is important to point out the inacurracies in the Grains are a leading cause of food allergies. not because it is untrue, which it is but because it the basis of much of dog food diet myths. Food allergies are caused by proteins in dogs that are supceptable /prone to develop a food allergy Most grains contain some protein and as such are capable of causing an allergic reaction in dog but at the same time the carbo soucres in non-grain dog food also general contain protein an are cable of creating an allergyt as well. What the dog that is suceptable/prone to food allergies is going to become allergic to is the protein source that it comes into the most contact with. There is some variation base on the length of protein chain as to susceptibily in causing an allergy but this is minor and general play in to the hand of meat actually being more allergic than grains,

Food Allergies and Food Intolerance
Several studies have shown that some ingredients are more likely to cause food allergies than others. In order of the most common offenders in dogs are beef, dairy products, chicken, lamb, fish, chicken eggs, corn, wheat, and soy. As you may have noticed, the most common offenders are the most common ingredients in dog foods. This correlation is not a coincidence. While some proteins might be slightly more antigenic than others, many proteins are similar in form and the incidence of allergic reactions are probably associated with the amount of exposure
IT is not the ingredient that causes the allergy in the first place so thes common pet food ingredient get a bad rap because they are associated with food allergies but they are only associated with them because the are coomon dog food ingredients. If grain free diet becones the norm more dogs will be allergic to meat based proteins and or potatoes or other grain substitute and few will be allergic to grain. it does litte to blame the ingredient as the cause of the allergy an allergy occurs in a dog that is prone to it in the first place,.
 
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