Multiple Remedies
★☆☆☆☆
I have a 9 y/o blue heeler dog with chronic systemic yeast. When I read the posted comments from other dog owners, it would appear that many of the problems others are dealing with are mild in comparison to what I am going through. Buster's problems were similar to the milder systems I've read about in the early years of his condition and were thought to have been allergies to food at first, and later fleas. Each time I upgraded to a better quality food or tried some other recommendation, there was improvement for a while, but the symptoms always returned, and always worse each time. It wasn't until his ears became terribly infected with yeast (the ears were easy to take care of using the solution recommended by the Great Dane Lady) that I was able to connect all the dots and figure out what he was suffering from thanks to the Great Dane Lady's web site. I ordered the recommended Yeast Removal Kit and followed all the instructions to the letter, including ordering the recommended shampoo and buying the #1 recommended variety of food for the problem. This was over a year ago. With the feeding recommendations and enzyme supplements, there was great improvement and I had hopes of a recovery for him, but he has setbacks and each time the yeast is worst than ever. He looks so bad that I am embarrassed to take him to the vet and use a mobile vet instead. He suspects that Buster suffers from allergies as well as yeast and of course offered Prednisone, which I declined. He also said that dogs like this are often never cured and it is all you can do to just control their symptoms and keep them comfortable. I know that the root of the problem is probably based on a compromised immune system, because after all the work, he still looks and feels just as terrible as he did. I'm glad to have found this web site and plan to start him on the yogurt and vinegar suggestions this week. There seems to be some conflict on amounts. I am writing to see if anyone has experience with a dog who has an exceptionally bad yeast infection - stubborn and deeply rooted that keeps recurring. If there is someone out there who can offer any specific ideas for my dog, I would greatly appreciate it. I have been able to link his flare-ups to warm weather and heat. He flared up in the fall when we turned our a/c off for the year (even though it was not hot) and he flared up again come spring when the weather warmed. He has to be kept inside, he can't tolerate heat, even if it is mild to us. Rather a sad life for a blue heeler. He can only go outside at night during the summer months. I have considered a raw diet for him, but he does not like raw chicken at all and will only eat raw beef or venison. For the past year, he has been on a holistic dog food only with only meat based treats. There seems to be also some different suggestions concerning dog food. A pet shop owner recently recommended I try a grain free food for him so that is the only time we have strayed from the brand recommended. His yeast seems worse and I am not sure whether to keep trying it or go back to the other brand. I don't know how long to wait before giving up on it. Is grain free really okay when it has potato or sweet potato content? Obviously, I am conflicted about what is best for him at this point and all of these ideas and suggestions are wonderful but it's hard to figure out what is best for an individual dog. I am open to suggestions. Thank you!
(San Diego, CA)
10/05/2014
★★★★★
So sorry to hear...My dog used to go through the same thing every summer when the weather got hotter. Scratching constantly and practically biting all the fur off her hind end until sometimes it even bled. The Vet cost me almost 300 dollars and it cleared up almost overnight only to return in a couple of weeks.
A friend told me about applying a 50/50 mixture of vinegar and water to the affected areas. Also, make sure to saturate the paws because the infection gets spread to the paws when they scratch. Do this everyday for 6 days. Leave on as long as possible but at least an hour before rinsing off with warm water. On the 7th day you will shampoo the dog with tea tree shampoo. DO NOT use the vinegar and shampoo on the same day as they will cancel each other out.
When the dog is thoroughly dry, you can apply pure coconut oil to soothe the skin. NEVER USE an OATMEAL product, soap, shampoo etc. for a yeast infection as the oatmeal feeds the yeast and makes it worse. Grain free diet helps, I use Blue Buffalo Grain-Free, but it's somewhat expensive. I'm sure there are other brands but believe it or not, my canine is a finicky eater. This next info is VERY IMPORTANT to note! Don't get discouraged, but rather expect the dog to scratch like crazy and even roll around after the vinegar solution is applied for about 1 or 2 minutes. It WILL subside! The 1st couple of minutes, the vinegar is killing the yeast, the yeast spores react by exploding. When they explode there will be a surplus of the bacteria on the surface of the skin making the itching worse but PLEASE be patient as this will go away as the bacteria dies in a few minutes. This reaction will be less and less in following treatments.
The once a week tea tree shampoo part of the treatment kills the bacteria that is in the skin under the surface that the vinegar can't reach. The tea tree oil gets absorbed into the skin and kills bacteria beneath the surface. Leave shampoo lather on the dog for about 10 minutes before rinsing well with warm water. The coconut oil soothes irritation as well as smothers the bacteria from getting more oxygen to grow. Also, spray down bedding with the vinegar mixture, leave on for 10 minutes then launder.This treatment takes time and patience but it's effective for yeast infections, the dog won't be taking antibiotics which are only temporary and bad for their system, and it's a whole lot cheaper than a vet visit! Here's the summary below and good luck!
Equal parts ACV (or white vinegar) and plain water, enough to saturate affected areas. I wear gloves and apply with cotton balls but a spray bottle will also work. Every day for 6 days.
Tea tree oil shampoo on the 7th day (once a week)
Pure coconut oil with no additives. Can apply as needed to soothe the skin. This isn't a mandatory part of the treatment but will aid in your dog's skin healing and comfort
Multiple Remedies
★☆☆☆☆
(Gainesville, Ga)
02/19/2012
The grain free is good but even more important is to get her off anything with starches such as potatoes, rice, rice flour etc. This turns to sugar as soon as they eat it and yeast feeds on sugar.
Also check into using the grapefruit seed extract and the colodial silver.
Hope this helps.
Good luck.
Multiple Remedies
★★★★★
Multiple Remedies
★★★★☆
I had no idea dogs could get a yeast infection! Pats, our 10 year old border collie, was chewing herself raw and her odor was absolutely minging! I was looking for a natural treatment for mites, I was told that she had mange, and came across greatdanelady's testimonial. After going to the website included with the photos I realized what her problem was. I felt really bad - I've had a yeast infection before and I know how maddening it can be!!
I had been feeding her a mix of Pedigree canned and Beneful dry food, plus Liva-snaps as treats. I stopped that and went with liver/chicken/hamburger and brown rice, and mix in plain yogurt and cranberry sauce, a splash of ACV, a splash of olive oil and a good sprinkle of turmeric. I've been bathing her with an oatmeal shampoo and rinsing with a mix of ACV and water, then following it up with a baking soda rinse. I've been brushing her 3 times a day (she loves it!) and doing everything I can to make her comfortable. She hates the padded collar I made to keep her from biting herself again, but other than that she's doing much better and her hair is starting to come in again. Still a little stinky, but better!
Thanks for this website!!
Multiple Remedies
★☆☆☆☆
Multiple Remedies
★★★★★
Since she is still biting her area down below and still showing arthritic symptoms in her back legs, I started using apple cider vinegar just two days ago, 1 teaspoon, 1 time per day mixed in her food, using the raw meat as a "cover" for the taste. In two days, she is perky, walked two blocks today and isn't as wobbly on her legs. Every dog is different and I feel like I have literally tried everything (only holistic, no medicines in this house) to help her. We all have to remember that the skin is the largest organ of the body and when toxins can't get out any other way, they come out on the skin, the ears, the eyes. Yeast will come out of all these areas making it look like they are separate illnesses. I have been actively working on this for over four months now but I have made extraordinary progress with her.
(Vancouver, WS)
11/29/2008
My little lahso apso has had itchy skin for her whole 3 year old life. She is allergic to fleas. I thought it was yeast or allergies. She has a little yeast in her ears that cleared up with epi optic solution from the vet. But it was hard for me to believe it but yes she is allergic to fleas. I have to use flea drops every 2 1/2 weeks religiously. I use mycodex to spray for fleas in my house often. She is so much better and all that itchy skin and rashes is all gone.
(California, Usa)
07/31/2012
OK finally!!! I have a itchy face mixed breed silky terrier, stinky from tear-stains, and yeasty smelling. After doing all the above, and he is on RAW diet, and yes I use "benadyrl" for bad days in summer, but now.. I have a better way.
SHAMPOO AND BLOW DRY WITH standard no-scent head and shoulders shampoo ( yes its vet approved) let it sit for 3 mins...
1. use ZINC creme ( aveeno) pure as possible rub it on the fur- it also kills the STINK instantly! Safe.. to lick for them!!
2. use ALOE VERA ( plant only pure watch out for alcohol in most of the store brands)- rub it into the FUR ( HIS FEET) he stopped itching, immediately.
NON-EFFECTIVE; PUTTING AC VINAGER ON THE FUR ( made it more stinky)
and yes if nothing else, its ok... white vinager was more effective acually.
hope this helps everyone....!!!!
Over the Counter
★★★★★
(Ansonia, Ct)
08/16/2015
(Columbus, Oh)
08/17/2015
Over the Counter
★★★★★
(Blue Ash, Ohio)
06/20/2013
Have had our rescue dog 2yrs now. Came full of problems, but love her to death. We are both disabled Seniors with very limited funds. I hace been using Miconazole7 in both her ears and her what we call it to her: her wu wu area. They get a real mess if we don't. Then when she is groomed about every 2 mo, they pull ear hair and express anal glands. These items are done by a Vet Tech as a usual groomer trainer is not. So where we go, 2 girls work on her. Vet put her on the following med routine ro which we stick: Omeprazole pink tablets. She takes a 10mg tab, 2x/day. Next she takes 1/2 Baby Aspirin (81mg) 2x/day. Generic Benadryl 1/2 twice/day, a 25 mg tab split . Sometimes she is still itching so badly and try 3 (1/2) tabs. Just wondering if she could take 1/2 of Xyzal for allergies? She also has baby pepto bismol when she vomits or gets diarrhea really bably. Then is is Prednisone when all else fails. That just makes her hungry all the time and gain weight. Not a fun time for any of us, Just had to give her 5mg of Pred tonight as she was non-stop itching.
Plain Yogurt, White Vinegar
★★★★★
PLAIN YUGURT ORGANIC 2 TABLE SPOONS A DAY!!!! IT WORKS AWESOME CUZ IT KILLS THE YEAST INSIDE FIRST WITCH IS WHERE IT STARTS! PLEASE STOP GIVING YOUR PETS APPLE CIDER VINEGAR!! IT HAS HIGH AMOUNTS OF SUGAR IN IT WHICH HELPS THE YEAST TO GROW!! TRY 3 PARTS WATER AND 1 PART (WHITE VINEGAR) ONLY USE OUTSIDE THO ALMOST BATH THEM IN IT WITH A SPONG! THEN DRY WITH TOWEL PUT CONE ON THEM SO THERE IS NO LICKING TIL IT DRYS.....I HAVE SOOOOO MUCH MORE INFO I'LL CHECK BACK LATER
GOD BLESS
(Gainesville, Texas)
04/20/2009
(Brighton, East Sussex, Uk)
09/13/2010
Hi, this is the first time that I have heard about apple cider vinegar and yeast. I've been giving it to one of my dogs that I believe has a bad yeast infection, in his ears. I thought I was doing my best for him! But it makes sence. As there are natural sugars in apples. I'm trying to change his diet and giving him natural yogurt. I'm going to try the blue power wash in his ears. He's been to the vets, had antibiotics and steroids, which I now know have made it worse. He's also had surgery to pull out all the hair from right down in his ears. Which my vet says is the cause of his infection and was given yet another course of antibiotics, which I've just stopped. The smell from his ears is foul. Like rotting cheese. I don't know what to do for the best. I've been on here for days, researching stuff to try and help him. I'm going to start making my own dog food. I have 2 shihtzus and they won't touch raw meat I've tried. Any help or advice would be most welcome. Thankyou.
(Greenport, New York, Usa)
09/16/2010
Dogs are the same as humans, what works for us will work for them. Your dogs are suffering from a lack of antioxidants and minerals due to the highly processed dog foods on the market. Have you noticed how dogs and cats love to eat grass? That's because they know they need the antioxidants in plant foods. Open a 100mg capsule of grape seed extract and mix it in their food. Do the same with a sea-mineral capsule also. Start with the low dose and then increase to 200 mg after they have acclimated to the new diet. The dogs will experience some diarrhea as their bodies flush out the buildup of acids and dead germs they have accumulated over the years. That is the normal detoxification process. Keep them outdoors as much as possible during the detoxification process. If unavailable take them to a friends house with a back yard that can be used. Also, you could detox one dog before the other to make it easier to keep control. Dogs need enzymes and cod liver oil in small amounts also (mix in food). Give them a high quality food and continue with the mineral and antioxidant supplements and they'll be happy and healthy pets.
(Greenport, New York, Usa)
09/16/2010
It would help greatly, as a start towards a high mineral and alkaline diet, to mix some baking soda into the dogs drinking water. Be sure it's pure sodium bicarbonate (no aluminum). Get them used to the taste of the water because it's the healthiest water they can drink(one level teaspoon to a quart of bottled water - no tap water). Do that for several days and then start them on the sea-mineral and grape seed extract regimen I mentioned previously.
(Greenport, New York, Usa)
09/16/2010
Possible Causes
Possible Causes
Possible Causes
★★★★★
Pregnancy
(Mpls., Mn)
02/25/2015
Hey Jane!
The yeasty ears may well be from a systemic yeast infection - yeast overgrowth in her GI tract expressing overtly in the ears. This type of infection could be related to many things, diet in particular, but also could well be vaccine related or allergy related -and the hormones, or rather the physical stress of a heat cycle - certainly could depress her immune system enough to allow the yeast to go to town.
Since products with steroids are out [NO Zymox] as well as many other products, IMHO the safest approach to treating your girls ears would be Ted's Anti-fungal/Anti-staph remedy.
- 1/2 cup of 3% hydrogen peroxide [commonly sold in drug stores]
- 1 cup distilled water
- 1 tbsp MOM
- 1 tbsp Epsom salts
- 1 tbsp Borax
Mix all the ingredients in an applicator bottle with a nozzle; I set it in a sink full of warm tap water to get the solution up to a comfortable temperature before using in the ears. Use the solution to thoroughly flush each ear. You can use multiple times daily or as needed. None of these ingredients will penetrate the blood or affect the puppies in any way.
You might also consider alkalizing your girl's drinking water with baking soda -1 teaspoon per liter of water for 7 days, and then 1/2 teaspoon per liter for the next 7 days, and then 1/4 teaspoon as a maintenance dose - or do for 7 days and then discontinue until the next yeast episode. I have used the baking soda water on my own prego girls and it is safe for both dam and pups inutero or on the ground.
Other nutritional approaches to consider might be adding turmeric to the food - just a good shake from the spice jar for each meal, or probiotics/acidophillus ; the key is to mix it up and give a wide variety of strains of probiotic and not just the same one over a length of time. Some prefer a dollop of kefir or yogurt for the probiotics but I find the powder or encapsulated form to have higher concentrations of the probiotics without the potential of an upset stomach [or the potential to trigger eclampsia] from the dairy.
One your pups are on the ground and weaned, you might consider Ted's borax protocol for dogs to directly address the systemic yeast.
Good luck with your litter and please report back!
Prescription Medications
★☆☆☆☆
Prescription Medications
★★★★★
(Cuenca, Ecuador)
04/07/2011
★★★★★
The research is overwhelming of the benefits of Neem oil for every skin condition. It is antifungal antibacterial and anti parasitic. Neem capsules inserted in a bit of cheese or peanut butter in addition to the external application of the oil would be the most effective. Do your research and see.
(Fair Oaks, Ca)
08/06/2011
I am so very sorry for the loss of your beloved dog from ketoconazole. My chizu also had a severe reaction and when I inofrmed my vet they didnt tell me to stop using. I stopped cause my gut told me too. When we did blood work her liver enzymes were over 3000!!! They dont like them over 250!!!! I was so freakin pissed off. They almost killed her. I now will not go to vets. I use the net and find natural cures(like I go for me) my chizu had a chronic yeast infetion and I will noe go the route of organic plain(no sugar)yougert. Again I am sorry for your loss. Its so hard when we think we are doind right by our furry friends to only later find out we went. Please know your dog(s) see the pureness of your heart and your intentions and they dont hold us at fault. Namaste'
