Expert: Delores Beck - 2/4/2009

Question
QUESTION: Hello
Our vet recommended using ketoconazole to treat a yeast infection in our 2 year old cocker spaniel. Is this medication safe for dogs?

ANSWER: I would have chosen Fluconazole which has less possibility of side effects but yes, it is effective for yeast infections.

Hopefully this is being combined with the right topical approach and your vet diagnosed it correctly by taking some skin cells by either tape or a scrape?

Is the infection on the skin or in the ears?

I'd also like to know how long the course of medication is.  Family vets sometimes treat until resolution but skin infection needs to be treated past resolution or it can bound right back.
Delores

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Yes scrape was done to confirm yeast.

On Monday of this week, after reading your history on cocker spaniels - we asked the vet to consider testing him for yeast infection - vet was not happy about it but did the scrape and Milford tested positive for yeast - the prescription is for 30 tablets - also looks like approved for 2 refills. He has healthy appetite and I did note that he is drinking more water once he started taking the ketoconazole.

We are feeding him the Enviro Kibble - switched him to this from California Gold a week and a half a go. He does have gas and loose stool??

Since he is on the ketoconazole would it be okay / beneficial to give him a table spoon of organic plain yogurt a day?

We are bathing him with vet recommended oatmeal based shampoo and leaving it on for 10 minutes then following up with aveeno packets which we leave on for another 10 minutes - and we have a conditioner which we use as well - is the conditioner a good idea - it seems to help and does not make his coat oily - currently we do this twice a week - is that enough?

Thanks!

Answer
The very, VERY first thing your vet should have done was the "tape or scrape" and identify whether this was yeast or bacteria.  You can't tell by looking and it's key to know what you're treating.  Why he'd be "unhappy" about that is beyond me.

I've never heard of Enviro but strongly suggest using at least half canned food.  Kibble (even the good stuff) is far too heavy a carb load especially for a dog with yeast issues.  Merrick is good and most dogs love it.  For kibble I'd use Innova EVO.  No grains.

How loose is the stool?  What shampoo are you using?  Choice of shampoo is also important.

The Aveeno oatmeal soak (comes in a box with packets of powder..is that what you've got?  100% pure colloidal oatmeal?).  Mix one packet in warmish water in a full bathtub and soak him for 10 minutes.
he shouldn't need a conditioner after that.

Yes, the probiotic is a good idea. I'd actually buy a good one from the health food store refrigerated section and give him one a day.

Debbie, if you'll write me directly I'll send you a terrific pharmacy site for canine meds so you can read up on any medication.
(DeeBeck7765@aol.com).
Delores