About 2 years ago, I rescued a little Shih Tzu with quite a few medical problems. She has epilepsy, which is now under control.. but her worst problems are her re-occurring yeast infections & skin allergies.
My vet and I have exhausted all of our options. She’s on a very specialized diet..which has pretty much eliminated her skin allergies.. but I can’t seem to beat the yeast infections and it’s driving me crazy.
I do a yeast-controlling, medicated shampoo bath a few times a week..which helps very temporarily.
So far, the only thing that has worked is the medication ketoconazole. However, my dog can only take this medication for extreme flare-ups as, paired with the phenobarbital for her seizures, is quite hard on her little liver.
Any ideas or suggestions are VERY much appreciated. I’m at a loss here.
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Try bathing her every day for three weeks with Malaseb shampoo.Leave it on for 30 minutes every time. After that,bathe every three days. After she is dry,apply an athlete’s foot powder or spray to her entire body ( one with Miconazole). Give her plain yogurt every day and try her on a fish-based dog food. I recommend Eagle Pack Holistic Selects Anchovy,Sardine and Salmon. Keep the coat clipped short and keep her ears back with the top of a sock slipped over her head so that air gets into the ear canals. Zymox is a good product for chronic ear infections. And has she been checked for hypothyroidism?
i can sympathize with you my 5 month old newfie has allergies too (not food related) and was on meds also we use medicated shampoo too. i have found that if we keep him dry it doesn’t flair up as bad, towel drying him if its raining or if he takes a dip in the pool and brushing the fur really good. we use a special ear cleaner micellar solution twice a week and special lotion drops confoite. that has helped his ears so much. ask your vet about it
good luck
I would try a grain free diet,use the proteins she is not allergic to and try malaseb shampoo,you can buy it over the internet
I am so sorry to hear about the hard time that you are having with your little dog. She is lucky to have someone who cares so much for her.
I am not sure it it will help but have you tried probiotics for her. I use live yogurt a Tbls a day and this keeps the bugs away.I have a client who uses ‘Interflora’ a product ladies use to prevent thrush if they are taking antibiotics. She gives this to her dog to help with his regular yeast infections.
Then there is also the controversial ‘Colostrom’ This is meant to put back the vitally needed antibodies into the body. Controversial because some say colostrom is only absorbed by the blood in the first few days of the animals life. Friend of mine used it daily on her rescue spaniel and has never looked back.
There is also the use of powdered kelp and flax seed oil. Both for skin.
Have you considered taking her to a homeopathc vet? Sometimes they can come up with an alternative to heavy medication.
Have you had her shaved? perhaps consider leaving her coat and only scissoring it? Alternatively make sure that the grooming parlour uses disinfectant on the clipper blade prior to clipping. Also give them your own towels to use on her. If possible stay with her to make sure that there handling of her is hygenic.
Look at her bedding aswell. maybe change the type of washing powder you are using on her bed.
Good luck! Not sure if any of these help but they are worth a try.