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Malassezia (yeast) dermatitis in Dogs
Malassezia (yeast) dermatitis and Ketoconazole (Nizoral Rx)
also see skin problems
Malassezia (yeast) dermatitis and Ketoconazole (Nizoral Rx)
Question: Hi there.. I have an older rescue (8 yo)
with a severe yeast overgrowth. He is on antibiotic therapy (cephlaxin,
ketoconazole, and hydroxizine) with topical Dermapet spray, and when we
remove the antibiotic his skin begins to "weep" again. This was an extremely
severe case, and I am concerned about long term side effects of the
ketoconazole and cannot seem to find drug information. He is starting to
cough...and I am concerned about effects on the lungs. He is HW-. Also...is
there any diet that possibly could help retard the growth of this horrid
yeast? His worst spots have been neck/stomach/nose folds and naturally ears.If you can point me in the right direction..I am an avid amateur researcher...
Thank you!!!!! Pam
Answer: Pam-
Ketoconazole (Nizoral Rx) is considered to be a fairly safe medication. It
has a couple of known serious side effects but they affect only a small
number of patients. It can definitely cause birth defects if given to a
pregnant female, which obviously is not going to be a problem in this case.
It will decrease the fertility of male dogs while on the medication by
lowering testosterone levels but this is a reversible effect. A small
number of patients will develop liver problems. This appears to be an
idiosyncratic reaction, rather than a toxicity due to the dose or duration
of treatment. These reactions are the serious ones that are seen with
ketaconazole that affect small groups of patients (since the testosterone
effect is really only important in dogs used for breeding). I can not find
any mention of ketoconazole causing coughing.More commonly, some dogs and cats will have gastrointestinal irritation
leading to lack of appetite, vomiting or diarrhea. Ketoconazole lowers the
serum cortisol levels in most patients during administration, which may
make it necessary to give corticosteroids if highly stressful situations
occur while the medication is being administered. This can be a serious
side effect if the client or veterinarian are unaware of it and surgery is
necessary or a severely stressful event does occur.For Malassezia (yeast) dermatitis in dogs, ketaconazole usually has to be
given for at least 30 days. If it doesn't work, itraconazole (Sporonax Rx)
may be helpful, given for the same length of time. It is also important to
use topical therapy. Using a shampoo that can help remove the greasiness,
such as a tar and sulfur shampoo or other anti-seborrheic shampoo can be
helpful. Using white vinegar mixed 1:1 with water as the rinse to get the
last of the shampoo off can be very helpful, as well. Dogs should be bathed
at least twice a week during the time they are being treated for
Malassezia. Many dogs have both yeast infections and bacterial infections,
so it is often necessary to treat for the Malassezia and bacterial
infection at the same time.Unless there is an underlying food allergy, I do not know of a diet that is
helpful in the treatment of yeast skin infections.Mike Richards, DVM
11/29/2000
Last edited 01/31/05
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