Yeast infection/food allergies

[noludoru]

My friends' dog (fox terrier, I've shown you all pictures of him before - he's a real cutie) has been having some problems with ear infections... it turns out he has a yeast infection in his ears, and it's spread to a paw (I didn't know they did that) basically the poor guy is a bit of a mess. The vet has determined it's food allergies, and has him on Hills prescription diet.. and once he's been on it for 8 weeks or so they are going to try adding new things to his diet to figure out what it is he's allergic to. He has had all kinds of protein sources and carb sources and hasn't been fed very high quality foods.

For any of you who can give them suggestions on what to do to help Fred, I'd love to hear it.. especially if you have any good websites. I don't know if they'll really listen to me, but it's worth a shot. They care a LOT about Fred, and their hearts are in the right place.

 

[jess2416]

If Nicole sees this she might have some good ideas of where to start

Sorry I dont have any ideas I hope something gets figured out soon, poor little guy

 

[Storee's Mom]

Personally I'd get him off the science diet/vet kibble crud, and try either a raw diet with NO grains and limited protien sources, or a good quality kibble that has alternate sources of protien and ideally no grains. Or even california natural which doesn't have a ton of ingredients.

See if they'll try that, and I'd also be giving probiotic capsules as well as applying the powder from them to the ears and feet.

Lana

 

[Buddy'sParents]

First step would be to get him off off the science diet crap... yesterday.

Can you provide more history? How is it deemed food allergies and not environmental? How long has it been going on? What topical treatments has the vet recommended?

 

[noludoru]

Thanks you guys!!!

It's been going on for about a year now, and he's had ear infections since before that, although they all cleared up with some ear stuff the vet prescribed.

I asked the same question, BP - apparently the vet is just assuming it's food allergies and not environmental ones, because when I suggested getting allergy tests done I was actually met with a bit of shock. As far as I know, no topical treatments for his east infections, but I didn't ask.

Basically all I know about him is that he's has many different protein sources (has been fed crappy kibble)... I don't know a whole lot about his history with the vet. If you can ask specific questions I'll get you answers, though.

ETA: I told them about getting him off SD, they're not impressed with it either. I suggested California Natural, something with sweet potato instead of rice.

 

[Buddy'sParents]

My first recommendation would be an allergy test. Pricey, yes, but it's worth it to know exactly what the dog is allergic to.

My second recommendation would be to change the diet. A high quality kibble with limited protein sources, or a raw diet. I realize raw may be a long stretch, but I'll get some links for you.

My third recommendation would be to put the dog on probiotics and to douse the infected areas (except the ears, I'm not sure about that) with raw, organic, apple cider vinegar (diluted, 50/50 with water).

How bad are his infections?

 

[noludoru]

Red, raw, VERY itchy and causing him quite a bit of distress. Apparently he's become obsessed with licking his paws and/or scratching his ear.

BP, I'm going to start looking for a place to get some raw, organic ACV.. I've been wanting to get some for us at home, anyhow. Is CalNat a good kibble for him to be on? I really don't think they'll go for raw. At all. I'm looking at probiotics now. edit: dumb question, nvm

 

[Buddy'sParents]

Ahh, poor pup.

How raw are his paws? If there are open sores, I would be cautious with using the ACV.

Another thing they can try is bathing his paws everyday and then following with spraying lamisil (sp?) or rubbing some lamisil cream into them.

 

[noludoru]

When I saw them they were just red and itchy, but it was weeks ago. I will suggest this to them tomorrow.... about the lamosil and the ACV.

 

[Buddy'sParents]

Any update?

 

[shadowfacedanes]

BP, I'm going to start looking for a place to get some raw, organic ACV.. I've been wanting to get some for us at home, anyhow.

I use Bragg's ACV. They sell it direct from their site: http://www.bragg.com/

I've also gotten it a few times from a health food store, but the mark up is rediculous.

 

[noludoru]

That was the only one I found, too. I'm wondering if I should just buy the whole gallon. ACV doesn't go bad, does it?

 

[Romy]

Seamus had this problem when he first came into the rescue. He was covered in hot spots, OCD about grooming his arms and feet, stinky, and blew coat everywhere despite being wirehaired. He also had a distinct "breadish" yeasty odor to his body. It turned out to be a systemic yeast infection.

The best food we could get for him was Natural Balance Duck and Potato. Fish and Potato worked too, but it gave him stanky fish breath.

Yeast needs to eat sugars to stay alive. There are sugars in grains that feed the yeast. Basically, if you cut the grain out of the food, the yeast starves to death. It took two weeks to see a noticeable difference in his health, but the difference was like day and night. If they are unwilling to try raw, switching to a grain free kibble will do a lot of good as well. I wonder if a lot of the dogs out there with "grain allergies" actually have yeast infections that are being controlled by a change of diet.

 

[SizzleDog]

I use Bragg's ACV too... in fact, Ilsa needs her nightly dosage... she hates it!

 

[chanda]

i hope your friend's pet is ok now... sadly i cant give any advice coz i usually depend on my vet for any medical advices...

 

[shadowfacedanes]

That was the only one I found, too. I'm wondering if I should just buy the whole gallon. ACV doesn't go bad, does it?

Nah. Go ahead and get the gallon. You know, all the benefits of ACV works for humans too. I take a swig of it every day as well.

I use Bragg's ACV too... in fact, Ilsa needs her nightly dosage... she hates it!

Sizzle, mix it with raw honey. It goes down smooth, they love the taste, and it doubles the health benefits!