Yeast Infection ??

[AndyB]

My boy Jazz has had a problem with his feet for several weeks now.  We have been to the vet several times and he has been prescribed  a course steroids and Apoquel tablets as well as an antibiotic/steroid gell to be applied directly to the two affected feet.  It has been a complete nightmare as they are obviously very itchy and as soon as they start to heal and I remove the dressing/baby socks he is wearing he immediately starts licking and chewing at his feet and they quickly become raw again.  I have to put plastic bags on his feet every time he goes in the garden and am using PAWZ rubber shoes when he is exercised.  He seems generally itchy and has a certain unpleasant smell about him, a sort of sour smell.  He is groomed and bathed regularly but the smell quickly comes back.   The vet originally diagnosed dermatitis but I am now beginning to wonder if this may be a yeast infection.  Does anyone have any experience or advice concerning this.

[lescef]

If it is a yeast infection, I believe that the diet can cause them - namely grains and carbohydrate rich foods. My two have been much less itchy since we went raw.
You could try boosting his healthy bacteria by giving a probiotic.
Apple cider vinegar is also supposed to be useful.  Dilute 50/50 with water and soak the paws, but only if there are no open sores.

[its.sme]

Bea had this for a long time, she is a Blue Roan and the white hair between her toes was stained an Orange Brown colour.

I used Malaseb wash for around 2 years on and off, this kept it from getting worse as it can Matt the hair and cause more pain.

I wish that I could say what changed, but now it looks to have gone.

One school of thought is not to feed Fruit, exclude grains etc as lescef said.

Hope it clears soon.

Sharon.

[lilliegez]

my girl has allergies and yeast issues with her feet and around her mouth.  I now use silver cream from herbal pet supplies which is great if paws are sore.  shampoo I use is malacetic, they also do a spray and wipes can be bought online without prescription but does contain vinegar so if area too sore I would use silver cream until less angry.  raw diet, no fruit, carbs or grains.  i also made up 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar 1/2 cup green tea and 1 cup distilled water put all together in spray bottle and give paws a light spray.  just be aware that anything with vinegar in will sting if area is already sore.  also some people use raw coconut oil.  my dog was on apoquel but i decided to stop the tablets purely because long term term effects wasn't known at the time.

[AndyB]

Thanks for all the advice.  Jazz was only on a short course of Apoquel and I would not be happy for him to be on this long term.  I have groomed him this morning and he seemed to have a lot of matts, which was horrid for both of us.  Do you think this is associated with the yeast problem Sharon  I will research the raw feeding, is your Bea on a raw diet. 

[its.sme]

Hi AndyB,

Unfortunately Bea had to come off Raw food as she has a Hormone issue, I believe it is the best food to be on but is not always possible for all, I now Home Cook for her.

The mats do sound exactly like a yeast infection, have you also checked the groin and armpit area as often it can be there ?

Bea had to be sedated to have the matts removed from all her pads which made me feel very guilty as I didn't notice how bad she was.

She is now fine, i believe it's down to her diet

Sharon.

[AndyB]

Thanks Sharon.  It definitely sounds like a yeast infection.

[linda c]

Hi AndyB.  Not been on for a while and just seen your post. My boy Blue had a similar problem which affected his paws and other parts, severe scratching and pulling out hair and licking his paws until they were bald and red raw. He saw a skin specialist who diagnosed a yeast problem and was treated with Malaseb shampoo regularly. I used to rub it in between his toes, dry then put socks on till it cleared and also bathed him all over, every 5 days initially then gradually reducing the time. I always kept the hair really short on his paws and under his armpits so it didn't get matted.It took many years but eventually this seemed to work for him, gradually shampooing less and less. It's now stopped completely and he's on the same food he's always been on which is a Veterinary Urinary food for Struvite bladder gravel. Hope you can get Jazz sorted but it may take time. Might be worth trying the  Malaseb shampoo, it's not cheap but it worked for Blue.