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Malassezia Dermatitis in Dogs: A Common Cause of Itching that is Commonly Overlooked |
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Malassezia is a yeast (fungal) organism that normally inhabits the skin of dogs. However, in some dogs the numbers of organisms can increase to the point of causing itchiness, bad smell, and even a yellow crust. Any breed of dog can be affected by this fungus but West Highland white terriers, Basset hounds, American Cocker spaniels, Shih Tzus, English setters, and Dachshunds are predisposed.
When the problem occurs, the whole dog may be affected, i.e. full body itching or just the ears or the paws may be involved. In fact, it is the most common cause that I see in practice for dogs constantly licking in between their toes and the bottoms of their paws. Malassezia is also a major cause of ear infections.
It is easy to diagnose. By simply pressing a glass slide onto an affected area on the body or taking a small amount of residue from an ear canal and pressing it on a slide, the yeast will often appear on the slide after staining is done and the slide viewed under a microscope. It is that easy.
Treatment is just as easy. If the skin is affected, then an antifungal shampoo will help. However, oral therapy is usually implemented simultaneously for 2-4 weeks. If only the ears are affected then antifungal ear drops will usually do the trick.
Prevention of recurrence is the problematic portion of the equation. With ears, gentle rinsing with a drying solution once a week often prevents future episodes. Weekly bathing with antifungal shampoos can sometimes prevent a new outbreak on the skin. However, if these prophylactic methods fail, then the patient should be checked for allergies which will often be the underlying cause of the Malassezia infection. Once the allergy is under control (food allergy or inhaled/contact allergy) then the Malassezia dermatitis will be much less likely to recur.
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