2/26/17

A Fungus Among Us!


 Today I want to talk to you about something that I have been dealing with the past few years. Fungus. Mama and I are nearing the end of our ropes trying to control it.



 I am taking Apoquel every other day for the itchies and just finished a round of antibiotics.  I can go on another round of fungal medications(like I did about 6 months ago), but they can be very bad for my kidneys.



 
 What Mama is doing is bathing me 2 times a week with Malaseb Medicated Anti-Fungal Shampoo.




Not only do I have to take baths, but I have to let the shampoo sit on my skin for 5 minutes on all my itchy spots! Mama keeps me calm with puppy massages,  treats, and sometimes we sing silly bath songs. As fun as all that sounds, I'm wondering if we are going to have to do this furr-ever and ever?? I mean, I can only put up with Mama singing for so long!



Have any of you all had to deal with yeast or fungal infections??
How did you treat it? 

33 comments:

  1. I have not had fungus. I have had itchies though and the dogtor thought it was an allergy. I use special shampoo and can't eat red meat dog food. I hope you get better; all four paws are crossed, my furend.
    Louis Dog Armstrong

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  2. Finley used to get some yeast infections - seems like da holistic medicines have helped some wif dat. If only it would fix her allergies.

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  3. oooh I hope for a lot of comments and the best idea how you can chase that fungus-beast away... my bro Easy had to deal with such a gremlin between his toes once and the vet gave him imaveral for footh baths... it fortunately worked... or you can try vetericyn, that's THE magic potion for nearly efurrything...

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  4. This does not sound like fun at all, Arty. We wish we could offer something but we've never had fungus problems before. We hope you get lots of helpful info!

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  5. Oh my, I am so sorry! I never had to deal with fungus, so I don't know how to help you. Let's hope there is somebody out there who does!

    Mara from Norway

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  6. Dear sweet Arty we are so sorry you are dealing with this fungus. POTP it goes away soon.

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  7. Poor Arty, that is awful for you.
    We've never heard of that except in dogs like Shar pei with a lot of folds in their skin.
    Hope you find something gentle that works soon.
    Elliot and Cricket x

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  8. Oh nose Arty thats no funs is it.
    Previous paws Chloe used to get a fungus on her paws which Mum treated wiv salt water baths, luckily I don't suffer from the same 'cos you nose I HATE getting my paws wet!!!!
    Loves and licky kisses
    Princess Leah xxx

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  9. We have to second Vetericyn! The stuff is amazing! Have you tried plain coconut oil? We are so sorry you are dealing with this...not fun at all...

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  10. That is so sad for you! We know some dogs that have gotten such a thing on a paw or something, but nothing that bad. Hope you can find some help.

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  11. Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhh No Mayor Arty!!
    Bless your heart...I cannot imagine how it itches. I sure do hope and purr you find something quickly. Last night Mom was watching a new Vet program, Dr. Buckeye Bottoms (yes that is his real name and he is in Hawaii) on the TVees. A little Chi Chi dog had itchy skin too a Prednisone shot worked for him. Mom used to have terribly itch spots too. She was given
    a series of Pred tablets which knocked the itch on its feet.
    Bertie recently had something on his paws for several months.
    His vet finally had to take a scraping from the paws to determine exactly what antibiotic would work on it. He finally got it cleared up. He was having trouble walking 'cause his paws were so sore. I wish I knew a miracle cure sweet
    Hugs madi your bfff!!

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  12. PS you are lucky you mama sings to you.
    Maybe she needs some new material
    Has she tried Row row row your boat or bridge over troubled water...oh no wait that is a long song. Strike that
    Hugs madi your bfff

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  13. Oh so sorry you poor sweet baby. the only fungus we had to deal with was Baby got a yeast infection on her skin, we used Monistat on the outside and she took a pill from the vet. I wonder if Monistat rubbed on your itch would help...

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  14. We see that someone mentioned Coconut Oil.... there are two ways to use it... In your Foodables and Directly ON the areas...

    We have also heard that having Live Culture type Yogurt put in your foodables helps.

    AND the worst one is a solution of 10% Bleach water that you have to have on fur 5 Mins. It is Stinky and all... butt in SOME cases it DOES kill the Fungus... usually takes Several Baffs (soakings) to work... Butt if Nothing Else works... you could give it a try.

    We are SOOOOO sorry that this is going on, Arty. Hope Somethingy gets rid of the Fungus.

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  15. That is so sad that you have been suffering with the horrible fungus infection for so long. None of us doggies have had this to deal with (paws crossed). My peeps try to use only natural products if they can to keep us well. Probiotics help to boost the immune system to fight all kinds of infections ( we have Yudigest powder if we ever need a boost ) and we eat a raw food diet too. Garlic & Fenugreek tablets from the Veterinary herbalist are supposed to be good for itchy skin conditions as well :-) Hope you can find something to help you soon - nose licks and love from Moth xx

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  16. Cinderella had yeast infections on her feet. We soaked them in an apple cider vinegar mixture, and it helped a lot!

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  17. Once in a Blue Moon I get a fungal bacterial reaction. My dogtor prescribes a medicated Shampoo (MiconaHex+Triz)along with wipes to rub on the bumpies I get. This goes on for a while until the little places clear up, sometimes within a couple of weeks and sometimes longer. (My Angel sister Penny would get these bumpies too, although she'd get them much worse and much more often than me). We're with your Mom we'd try and stay off meds that can affect your internal organs as well.

    We don't know if our medication would help you or not but this is the only treatment we've ever used and thankfully it works on the few occasions I've needed it.

    Best of luck dear furiend and we hope your itches clear up soon.

    Thanks for stopping by and visiting us @ The Fast and The Furriest

    Molly and my Mom


    http://thefastandthefurriestat.weebly.com/

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  18. Well since I have been through it all..... the Dermatologist said that starches cause itchies: corn, potatoes wheat, peas and oatmeal. Apoquel worked like a miracle for 1 week. Than nothing. We take Atopica every other day. Good sweetheart. How about a tee shirt to prevent itching bad areas
    Snorts,
    Lily & EdwardN

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  19. Oh my sweet Arty, I can sing along with your Mom if that would help. - I have to go to the dogtor for my check up now but mom is going to email your mom later about a supplement that might be worth a try
    hugs
    Mabel

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  20. We don't know anything about fungal infections but as mom was reading this she thought maybe your mom could rinse you in a vinegar/water? She has NO idea if it would be a good thing or a bad thing so maybe research a little furst.

    Your Pals,

    Murphy & Stanley

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  21. We've only had fungal infections in ears, which is quite common in long eared cockers spaniels. I've been lucky that my ears have always been in good shape.

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  22. Sorry to hear you aren't feeling well. We don't have any suggestions for you but we see that some other comments have some ideas for you to try.

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  23. Oh dear Arty, you have my sympathies. Gail says her previous dog Hamish the Westie used to get Malaseb to treat fungal related itchies, but the effect was limited. He was given short courses of Prednisolone, at intervals of 6 months to a year, and that was the only effective treatment, although as we know, this has side effects and is not a good thing to take long term. I have been having frequent (like three times a day) paw washes, over the last few weeks for my itchies. The Apoquel did no good at all, but the washing has helped a lot. Reading this post, I can only be grateful that Gail does not 'sing' to me during the process - that would surely be cause to call in the animal cruelty people.
    Arty, I do hope someone can find a good solution for you, whether or not it involves a singing Mom. Itchies are horrid.
    Toodle pip!
    Bertie.

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  24. Arty, I feel awful for ya buddy. It sucks to be itching all the time and having to take baths. I hope your mom can sing better than my mom. Paws crossed for you.

    Aroo to you,
    Sully

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  25. we are so sorry for your troubles, Arty. Lightning has been on apoquel for hot spot itches and it works really well. But it would be nices to get rid of the fungus for good. All paws crossed that something helps soon.

    Woos - Lightning and Misty

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  26. Arty,
    Dude that has to be so irritating and hurt too much.
    I don't have any advice for you, maybe a long vacation on a sunny beach.
    I hope that you can find from relief from the scratchies, and fungus.

    xo Astro

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  27. Mommy's dog Sir Lass did, Mommy just remembers that Grandpa had to dip him in some nasty smelling stuff like once a week and that Sir Lass didn't like it.

    Mommy takes oatmeal baths when she has the itches. Have you tried essential oils? Oregano and Lavender are good to relive itching. Mommy mixes them with 100% Organic Olive Oil or Coconut Oil that has been Cold pressed. Young Living even has a product line for pets. If you want to know more just ask us and we will be happy to tell you more.

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  28. I've not dealt with yeast issues, but I've heard from friends that cutting out potatoes (white for sure, and some dogs can't handle sweet potatoes either) really helps yeasty pups, since starch feeds the yeast.

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  29. I am so sorry. We dealt with yeast infections in Bentley's ears but have them under control with the Purple Stuff. He is dealing with seasonal itching right now and we are trying to treat it with all-natural supplements.

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  30. Oh Arty, i am so sorry abouts the itchies! I gets the itchies too, butts mine are usually yeast and the last one was bacterial and I took antibiotics for that. Mine are from my allergies, and the vettie said bathes, butts have you ever tried bathing a 60lb terrier three times a week?????? Yeah ~ no funs there! BOL
    I wish I had a good answer, butts if you find a solution, let us all know.
    {{hugs}}
    Kisses,
    Ruby ♥
    pees: I hope it's stopped raining up there ~ it stopped here, and it's not gonna rain for six days!!!!! WooooHooooo!

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  31. That fungus is not a fun-guy!
    We're so sorry to hear about it - we hope you find something to make it go AWAY!
    Cammie!

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  32. Arty, I am so sorry, I know how hard yeast is to conquer. Internally, eat plain yogurt if you don't have a dairy sensitivity. For your bath, I have successfully used Chlorhexiderm Shampoo on client's dogs. Please let us all know if you find something that really works for you. <3

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  33. Poor Arty, has your mum tried any essential oil remedies?

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