Your dog is scratching himself and you really don't know what it could be? It could be an allergy trigger, but in the end, the problem lies elsewhere - yeast.
Where are the yeasts everywhere?
It starts with reddish-brown spots in the fur , usually on the paws. The first signs of overgrowth can also be shaking the head and scratching the ear, or inflammation. Licking around the tail. These are signals that the yeast is multiplying more than is healthy. This happens when the immune system is weakened for some reason.
For example, in allergy sufferers with the arrival of spring. Or after an illness. Or when encountering some bacteria after swimming in nature. With the arrival of heat and bathing the dog in some puddle (because it is not easy to stop it). Immunity weakens and yeast that lives in the digestive tract and ears begin to multiply. And it itches.
They have their own smell.
Yeasts like moisture and warmth . They thrive in thick fur that takes a long time to dry after getting wet. You can recognize a coat with overgrown yeast even up close by smelling it – it has a sweet and sour smell . Yeasts also like to be between the toes of the pads, which the dog likes to lick, thus promoting their multiplication. The skin soon starts to turn red all over the body, with brown spots, scales and scabs forming from constant scratching and biting.
Don't wait and go to the vet.
If the yeast spreads throughout the coat (which is easy to do, as the dog spreads it by scratching with his paws), his entire coat will start to itch. It's not actually an allergy, regular shampoo won't do anything about it (soaking in a regular bath will only encourage the yeast process). So what to do about it?
It's a good idea to see a vet who can culture what's living in your dog's fur. You may finally discover the reason why your dog keeps scratching, even though you've been doing everything you can to keep him clean, feeding him special kibble, and even giving him allergy medication. The vet will likely take skin swabs, a biopsy, and blood tests to determine an effective treatment. They should have the results within a few days.
Unfortunately, the cure is not immediate.
Treatment is not exactly easy. Yeast is a strong opponent and fighting it is a matter of several weeks, even months . The vet will probably prescribe medication, then the dog needs to be bathed twice a week in shampoo with chlorhexidine - and then always dried thoroughly, for example with a hairdryer. Various powders designed for this purpose with an acidic pH, which yeast does not like, can also help. And of course, it is important to support immunity so that the organism can regenerate faster from overgrowth.
Be careful, some medications can cause vomiting in dogs as a side effect.
Does it spread to humans?
These are canine yeasts, they don't infect humans. The most common yeasts that multiply on a dog's fur are not really transmissible to humans. However, a few types can be contagious, so it's always best to visit a veterinarian first to find out who you're dealing with. And then jump into the fight right away.
May you have a good winter and peace of mind for Christmas. (Usually, excessive yeast activity in the fur stops on frosty winter days).
