What could this be?

[dcef]

Hi All,

I took my dog to the Veterinarian yesterday (12 yr old male English Setter) becasue he has a sore on his neck and he has basically licked all of the hair off his groin. The Veterinarian immediatly thought yeast infection and took samples from all areas to view on the microscope. After some time, she came back and said there were no signs on a yeast infection but that she thought that was stil the problem and gave me some perscriptions and a medicated shampoo.

Does anyone have any other ideas of what this could possibly be? Also, my dog is scheduled to be boarded for a couple of days next weekend, will this be an issue?

Thanks in advance for any help.

Thanks,

dcef

[latergatorj]

I don't understand how your Veterinarian could think it is a yeast infection since your dog is a male.... Yeast infections are females.

Was it perhaps a bladder infection? That would make more sense.

The sore... could be a range of things, cancer, a bug bite, allergic reaction... etc. You should get a topical antibiotic for it and a halo to keep your dog from licking off the ointiment.

[Whizzy]

Yeast infections in dogs are very different from the yeast infections we humans are most familiar with...and yes, males get them as often as females.

The yeast that infects dogs occurs on the skin and in the ears. Most ear infections are yeast or a combination of yeast and bacteria. Yeast infection of the skin is about as common as fleas...because flea bites cause a break in the skin, and the yeast can get in and start to grow.

Diet is often a factor. Allergic dermatitis will also give the yeast an opportunity to get growing. Most hot spots are a combination of yeast and bacterial infection, just like ear infections.

One thing that seems to help is to add plain yogurt with active cultures to the dog's diet. The yogurt contains probiotic bacteria that will kill the yeast. Another thing that might give your dog some relief is a vinegar/water rinse after you shampoo. Use one cup apple cider vinegar to a gallon of warm water. Sponge it on the affected areas. It's soothing, and the slightly acidic rinse will make the skin less hospitable to the yeast.