How to beat the yeast…FOR GOOD!
Yeast overgrowth is a common condition that occur in all dog breeds at all ages. Yeast is a type of fungi and in dogs the most common yeast species are candida and malassezia. In dogs, yeast infections commonly occur in warm moist areas such as the ears, paws, groin and skin flaps. When left unchecked, yeast infections can cause discomfort and irritation, leading to incessant itching, redness, inflammation, and unpleasant odors. Chronic yeast infections may also result in secondary skin infections, hair loss, and skin lesions, further exacerbating the dog's discomfort and potentially affecting their quality of life.
How does a dog get a yeast infection?
Firstly, it is important to know that some level of yeast is normal on the skin and in the gut. BUT, it becomes a problem when yeast levels increase and it is allowed to over-populate. This can happen from a diet high in glucose and fructose, antibiotic use, poor immune function, allergies and food sensitivities. If yeast can find a way, it will grow! This is the nature of fungi and it’s why fungal species can grow on almost surface given the right conditions. Yeast populates and spreads by a process called budding. This means that a part of the yeast multiplies and separates from the original yeast growth. This type of replication or growth, allows yeast to spread very rapidly. It is this combination of hardiness, resiliency and rapid replication that makes yeast overgrowth in dogs so common.
How to beat the yeast…for good!
It is typically not enough to just use an anti-fungal medication or anti-fungal herbs and I commonly hear this all of the time from my clients. If you have used these in the past and the yeast keeps coming back, you need to focus on two key pieces to the puzzle: remove what feeds the yeast from the diet AND break up yeast biofilms.
The first piece is pretty simple, with yeast overgrowth I recommend eliminating all carbohydrates and sugars, with the exception of green vegetables like broccoli, kale or spinach. This is best achieved through a raw diet or home cooking. You don’t have to eliminate all carbohydrates forever, just until the yeast infections have resolved.
The second piece is to break up yeast biofilms. Yeast can form little complex communities where they adhere themselves to a surface and surround themselves with an outer protective matrix. These biofilms are why medication alone usually doesn’t do the trick in chronic yeast infections. Biofilms provide the yeast with environmental protection, including from antifungal medication. I always recommend incorporating digestive enzymes into a yeast protocol as these enzymes will help break up these biofilms. It’s very important that enzymes be taken on an empty stomach as this helps ensure that these enzymes will target biofilms instead of digesting food.
Final Notes
Keep in mind that if your dog has yeast overgrowth in their ears, paws or anywhere on their skin, then this is a systemic issue and the gastrointestinal tract needs to be supported as well. While I have listed two of the most important changes to implement in a dog with a yeast overgrowth, there are other variables that could be at play including low immune function and food sensitivities. To help your dog best, it is always recommended to do a thorough consultation with a qualified professional.
