Corn Chips & Bread: Signs Your Pet's Skin is Brewing Yeast
by Abbey Trobe
Certified Veterinary Technician owner of Calling All Paws Mobile Pet Grooming
Is your dog constantly scratching, licking their paws, or smelling like corn chips? These are common signs that your pet may be suffering from a skin yeast infection. Yeast thrives in warm, moist environments, making areas like the ears, paws, and skin folds particularly vulnerable.
- Scratching and rubbing. Yeast infections are incredibly itchy, and some dogs will try and scratch the infected area or rub up against the floor, furniture, or another surface to get relief.
- Greasy skin. The skin can become greasy or excessively oily.
- Changes in skin color and texture. In the early stages of a yeast infection, the skin begins to turn pink or red. Many times their paw pads and between the toes will be red. When dealing with chronic yeast infections, the skin may become leathery, thick, or black.
- Scaly skin. Some dogs may develop scaling, or flakiness of the skin, looking similar to dandruff.
- Head shaking and tilting. Because the ears are the most common place for a dog to develop a yeast infection, pay close attention if your dog starts exhibiting these movements.
- Licking. Incessant licking of the infected area is another way a dog might try and find relief. If you see them constantly licking and chewing at their paws this is a common sign.
- Swelling and warmth. Redness and swelling are the first signs of a yeast infection, but a dog’s symptoms can progress to swelling, warmth, and pain in the infected area.
- Odor. Another common sign of yeast infection is a distinct smell, which will likely be your first indicator that your dog has this condition. The smell has been described by dog owners to mimic a musty, cheesy, or corn chip scent.
An Interview with Abbey!
Skout's Honor: How big of a problem are skin yeast infections for dogs?
Abbey Trobe: Yeast infections are a common problem in dogs. Frequently dogs are misdiagnosed with skin allergies when it’s actually a yeast problem so it’s even more prevalent than the medicine world is tracking.
SH: Misdiagnosis of yeast infection - does this occur often?
AT: It can frequently be misdiagnosed as allergies especially since allergies can present with many of the same symptoms. The vet might prescribe an antibiotic which can treat secondary bacteria and help itching temporarily but the yeast issue will continue.
SH: How are yeast infections typically treated by vets?
AT: Typically they are treated with topical and oral medications. Medicated baths and ointments are commonly given to do multiple times a week. In more severe and chronic cases anti fungal medications or antibiotics might be used.
SH: Are there any natural remedies for treating yeast infections?
AT: Yeast is an overgrowth and generally the issues start in the gut. Common natural remedies can include, adding coconut oil to the dogs food. Many vets will recommend an over the counter or prescription probiotic.
SH: What has your experience been using Skout's Probiotic products to treat yeast infections for dogs?
AT: The Skout's Honor probiotic line has been a game changer in our mobile grooming business. We are seeing lots of dogs with chronic yeasty skin and ears. Not only are we able to bring immediate relief for some of the redness and itching but we know the products are preventing it from growing worse. Historically medicated or alternative to medicated shampoos smell terrible and they never change the formulas. Being able to have a line with multiple great smells that aren’t alcohol based and going to dry out the skin further is amazing. The Probiotic Ear Cleaner is great for cleaning out normal healthy ears but works fantastic on yeasty ears and doesn’t leave behind any residue. Many dogs we see suffer from yeast overgrowth on their paws and will chew themselves raw. For those dogs we can soak their paws in the shampoo and that is something easy enough for pet parents to do at home without having to give a whole bath.
SH: If you could share one thing with pet parents about the Skout's Honor Probiotic line what would it be?
AT: Instead of just treating symptoms of an issue like an overgrowth of yeast, you are actively preventing it from becoming worse or happening again. I’ve never seen a topical product available to anyone with this kind of research and results behind it.
