GREATDANELADY.COM
Linda Arndt ~ Canine Nutritional Consultant
Email:


Systemic Yeast Infections in Pets - Candida Albicans

Like A Thief In The Night...

In the past years we have seen the overuse of antibiotics in humans and animals, with little regard for the ramifications of this overuse on the environment of the beneficial bacteria of the gut (intestinal flora). Antibiotics are necessary at times, but need to be use judiciously, and at the same time as we are using antibiotics, we need to supplement probiotics (beneficial bacterias) to reestablish the intestinal flora of the gut that is killed off from antibiotics or lost to stress.

In this article I would like to suggest another approach to the cause and treatment of skin allergies, itchy skin, dry coat, read itchy feet and ear infections. These conditions/diseases are common in other breeds and can happen in any other breeds, some more than others, probably based on their ability to handle stress and the prevalence of the use of antibiotics within a breed.

We have learned using a "meat based" diet (raw or kibble), and the use of probiotics (beneficial bacteria) and digestive enzymes and dietary enzymes, are beneficial in helping to prevent bloat and getting the most nutrients out of the diet.


The Bad Guys

Let’s explore what happens to a animal’s system when it is overrun with toxic levels of Candida Albicans (yeast/fungus and byproducts). Candida Albicans a common microorganism that lives in the gut and when there is an "overgrowth" of this fungus/yeast in the gut, it is called a systemic yeast infection, and it affects the health and well being of the whole animal or human.

When the dog is on antibiotics or stressed, the pH balance of the gut is out of balance, and beneficial bacteria in the gut may be destroyed. This causes this insidious fungus to take over and this overgrowth is very detrimental to our health and well being.

These are some of the conditions that can alter the pH balance of the gut.

Dietary Concerns:

  • Overuse of antibiotics - Killing off of the good bacteria in the gut
  • Poor quality diet
  • Feeding a diet that is not meat based (meat should be first ingredient).
  • Feeding a grain based diet (grains are first ingredient).
  • No probiotics (friendly yogurt-type bacteria) used when on antibiotics
  • No probiotics (friendly yogurt-type bacteria) on commercial foods or given daily.
  • No digestive enzymes on the food or given in the diet daily
  • No dietary enzymes present to cleans the toxins from the body
  • Poor quality unusable minerals (minerals run the body’s electrical system).

Other Factors:

  • Over vaccinations (see Purdue Vaccine Study)
  • Multivalent vaccines - use of combination vaccines
  • Thyroid problems /Endocrine - metabolic problems (the body's electrical system)
  • Stress (seasons, whelping, lactation, vaccines)
  • Stress (environmental, genetic, physical, emotional etc.)
  • Anxiousness (males when bitches are in seasons)
  • High strung hyperactive dogs
  • Death/loss
  • Change in environment - weather/hot, cold
  • Change in home or home environment
  • Boarding
  • Compromised Immune System - antibiotics, drugs, inbreeding, stress in all forms
  • Illness that compromises the immune system
  • Sensitivity to stimulus (light, sounds, movements)
  • Travel (showing)
  • Medications
  • Flea preparations
  • Heartworm medications
  • Toxic Gut Syndrome- pathogenic bacteria overgrowth

The results of this yeast/fungus overgrowth manifests itself in external and internal expressions of disease. Based on clinical and research studies, Candida overgrowth in your intestines may create what has been called as "Leaky Gut Syndrome". Toxins and food allergens may pass through this membrane and go to other parts of the body, making one feel generally sick all over. Since antibiotics don’t destroy fungus/yeast,
they keep on multiplying and making more yeast, which in turn, puts out more toxins and weakens the immune system. It is a vicious cycle.


"External" Expression Of A Yeast Infection:

Skin Irritation
Itchy skin or feet
Licking paws, genital or vaginal area
Itchy mouth, throat, face
Rubbing nose

Redness, Inflammation and Odor
Underarms, Folds of Skin,
Inner Thighs, Between Toes, Lips
Joint pain

Reoccurring Secondary Bacterial Infections
Ears
Bladder
Skin or Feet
Sensitivity to light, sound, movement

You can see by this list of symptoms, the animal is often diagnosed as having a food or contact allergy, or a bacterial infection, when in fact the origin of the disease is yeast/fungus overgrowth.


"Internal" Expression Of A Yeast Infection

Gastrointestinal tract problems
Gas/bloating
Bloat/torsion
Lethargy
Seizures
Depression
Fatigue
Arthritis
Suppressed immune system
Inadequate absorption of nutrients
Other



Ways to Control Yeast / Fungus Overgrowth

Treatment: External Problems

Bathe: Use a sulfur-based or medicated shampoo for fungus, one with Ketoconazole - KetoChlor Shampoo by VirBac - have your vet order it for you.

Then use a Baking Soda rinse after shampooing, it will be quite helpful with the overall itchiness, skin problems and inflammation.

BAKING SODA RINSE RECIPE
Mix two (2) teaspoons of BAKING SODA per gallon of warm water; make sure to mix it so it completely dissolves - poor over pet, do not rinse off.

After bathing and animal is dry: Prepare a 2 % solution of Oxy-Drops (Mix 1 teaspoon with 1 cup (8ozs.) of distilled water). Use this to spray or wipe skin, ears, and feet with to prevent secondary bacterial infection. (order below). Some people report wiping areas with Listerine stops itching.


Treatment: Internal Problems

1). Food - Precise Foundation or Precise Plus Canine Adult Formula or Canine Large Breed Formula works for yeast issues. Also Pure Vita Chicken and Rice

2). Then introduce the Yeast Removal Kit which includes:

  • Oxy-Drops - to destroy the yeast/fungus in the gut and to keep the proper pH of the gut so it is an uninviting environment for fungus to proliferate
  • BacPakPlus - Fortified - beneficial bacteria needed to restablish the flora of the gut, crowd out the fungus and to protect the lining of the intestines from leaky gut syndrome.
  • Nzymes - A Dietary Enzymes - needed to detoxify the body from the byproducts of the dying fungus and bacteria.
  • Tincture of Blackleaf - works with Oxydrops to destroy fungus
  • Plus K9 Ear Solutions - the best on the market for yeasty ears.

     

Add diluted Oxy-Drops concentrate to their food. Put 1 drop per 20 lbs. of body weight, mixed in 2 to 4 ounces of water and pour over the food to make sure it gets in their system. Oxydrops kills fungus and pathogenic bacteria because it attacks a particular enzyme, only present in the fungus and bad bacteria. I also put some drops in their drinking water. For a large dog in a gallon of water, I use 5 drops. With my Pug, I will use 1-2 drops to her small bowl of water.

For itchy skin, ears or eye infections mix 1 teaspoon of OxyDrops in 1 cup of distilled water and wash or spray it on the areas 2-4 times a day. Black dogs will fade to red, so if this is a show dog, you may have to wait until the new coat comes in.

All of these products together, a good food, probiotics/digestive enzymes, dietary enzymes and Oxydrops will work to stem the rise of fungus and get the system back into balance within time. Be patient, it takes 30 - 90 days to get this problem corrected.

You must use a meat based holistic food and For a complete list of raw diet options and commercial foods see: Blackwatch Feed Program For Systemic Yeast Infection


About Detoxification

If an animal or human has a yeast infection, during the detoxification process you may witness or experience symptoms flu-like symptoms, nausea or loose stools when the fungus starts to die off and the body is detoxifying. Use Bragg’s raw apple cider vinegar ( from health food store) or lemon juice in the drinking water. This helps maintain the proper pH balance and establish an environment, which is NOT conducive to yeast or pathogenic bacteria proliferation. Start with small amounts so the animal gets used to the taste.

Body Weight; Amount to Give
10 lbs or less 1/4 teaspoon per day
10 to 60 lbs 1 teaspoon per day
60 lbs and above 2 teaspoons per day


This is The Best Ear Product to Kill Yeast

K-9 Ear Solution by Liquid Health - available online at www.FirstChoiceNaturals.com

This ear solution comes in the Yeast Kit if your order through First Choice Naturals.


Other Facts About Candida Overgrowth

Systemic yeast infections (fungus) are extremely difficult to detect and kill. Stanford University studies report a 497% increase in systemic infections in humans in the past 10 years due to overuse of antibiotics and stress.

When pH balance of the gut is out of balance, an environment is ripe for pathogenic bacteria and fungus to multiply at an alarming rate. The byproducts of bacteria and fungus produce "toxins." These can result in systemic disease, as well as bloat, stomach gas and foam. Many diseases are often misdiagnosed in humans when the actual underlying cause is Candida Albicans (a systemic yeast infection).

Examples of systemic yeast overgrowth in humans which are often diagnosed as the following diseases:

  • Fibromyalgia
  • Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
  • Lupus (very severe infection)
  • Some forms of Schizophrenia (Huxley Foundation Research)
  • Arthritis or joint pain
  • Diabetes
  • Depression
  • Schizophrenia
  • Fatigue
  • Lethargy
  • Mood Swings
  • Carbohydrate / Sugar cravings
  • Reflux
  • Chronic bloating
  • Constipation
  • Inflammatory Bowel Disease
  • Chronic Rashes
  • Seborrhea
  • Psoriasis
  • Cancers
  • and a host of other diagnosed ailments are all linked to a systemic (in the blood stream) Fungal - Mycoplasm Infection. Once this infection is in the blood stream, it can affect any organ giving people many different types of symptoms.

When fungus overgrowth flourishes in the gut, the toxins from the yeast keep the pH unbalanced, causing a vicious cycle. Unbalanced pH balance in the gut alters the body's chemistry and unbalances the metabolic/hormonal chemistry. Many homeopathic physicians and veterinarians feel as though a systemic yeast infection is one of the most overlooked and misdiagnosed diseases in medicine

Click here: to understand more about Systemic Yeast Infections in humans and how to treat it.


A Picture Is Worth A Thousand Words

The example below is of a dog with a systemic yeast infection shown BEFORE and AFTER using my program of a quality food, probiotics, Oxydrops and Nzymes. For the full story click on either of the photos below.

The American Kennel Club has sponsored research grants for disease. Here is one that is relates to this topic.

Completed Grant No. 1840:

Studies of the Host (Canine) Immune Response to the Opportunistic Pathogen Malassezia pachydermatis - Daniel O. Morris, DVM, DACVD; University of Pennsylvania

Sponsors: American Spaniel Club, Basset Hound Club of America, Dalmatian Club of America Foundation, English Springer Spaniel Field Trial Association Foundation, Westie Foundation of America

Abstract: This study confirmed that the immune system of allergic dogs recognizes a specific yeast as a contributor to allergies—that the dog’s body is mounting an allergic response to the yeast, not just reacting to a yeast infection. The yeast, Malassezia pachydermatis, is present in many dogs with skin allergies, causing itching, infection and sometimes licking to the point of self-mutilation. The most common symptoms of the yeast are ear canal infections and paw licking. Dogs with the yeast allergy can react to a quantity of yeast that would be considered within normal limits for healthy dogs. This discovery provides evidence and hope that it might be possible to manage that allergic reaction through the development of yeast-specific allergy shots, rather than relying on anti-fungal medications, which carry a possibility of side effects and don’t stop the allergic reaction from recurring.

 

     

Home |About Us | Album | Interview | Articles | Links | Breeders Showcase | GREAT Great Danes | Linda's Artwork | Email:

Copyright © 2002-2003 GREATDANELADY.COM