giraffez Posted January 7, 2014 Share Posted January 7, 2014 My dog has been scratching constantly under the belly. I noticed there are small specks of dirt-like stuff that appear after a long scratch. This doesn't wash off easily with a bath. Are these flea eggs? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kelpiecuddles Posted January 7, 2014 Share Posted January 7, 2014 Sounds like flea dirt(flea faeces) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
giraffez Posted January 7, 2014 Author Share Posted January 7, 2014 he is on monthly flea treatment. How do i wash it off, its hard to come off. It only appears after lots of scratching. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kelpiecuddles Posted January 7, 2014 Share Posted January 7, 2014 If you rub it with a bit of damp tissue does it leave a browny red stain on the tissue? If it does it's flea dirt and I would look at switching treatments Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
~Anne~ Posted January 7, 2014 Share Posted January 7, 2014 (edited) This doesn't wash of easily with a bath. If it doesnt wash off it certainly isn't flea dirt. Flea dirt virtually dissolves in water. Edit to add: fleas do not lay eggs on dogs. The eggs are laid in the environment. They are white in appearance and difficult to see as they are so tiny. Flea excretement and dried blood is what you see on infested dogs and cats. Edited January 7, 2014 by ~Anne~ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted January 7, 2014 Share Posted January 7, 2014 it could well be irritation caused by teh scratching ..loose skin/a bit of blood? Got a photo? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mel_ Posted January 7, 2014 Share Posted January 7, 2014 It could be a yeast problem? http://www.dermagic.com/Dog-Yeast-Infections_ep_86-1.html I read up on it recently because my dog seems to have the same thing, and yeah it looks like dirt that won't wash off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
giraffez Posted January 7, 2014 Author Share Posted January 7, 2014 It could be a yeast problem? http://www.dermagic.com/Dog-Yeast-Infections_ep_86-1.html I read up on it recently because my dog seems to have the same thing, and yeah it looks like dirt that won't wash off. Yep, its just like the photo. How do you treat it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boronia Posted January 7, 2014 Share Posted January 7, 2014 Bathing in diluted apple cider vinegar (the non-pasteurized ones like Melrose or Braggs) can be beneficial. This video also may be of interest: Itchy, Smelly Dog? Yeast Infection May Be the Problem http://healthypets.m...like-crazy.aspx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blakkjackal Posted January 7, 2014 Share Posted January 7, 2014 (edited) It's can easily become a chronic problem so I'd get onto it quickly.. For a quick relief Malaseb works well, but I wouldn't use it for longer periods of time. I've also heard good things about ACV. But most importantly a diet change is probably required, yeast infection thrives on sugars/carbs so try to cut those out of the dog's diet. Also fish oil in fairly high doses seems to help. My dog had pretty yeasty feet for a while, they're finally starting to clear up now. Takes time though. Also! Moisture is BAD, yeast will go crazy if you let moisture sit on the dog. A good towel will be your best friend. If you manage to find Molkosan that's also a good product, you can both feed it and use it as an external aid for wiping the affected areas with. Edited January 7, 2014 by Hockz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mel_ Posted January 7, 2014 Share Posted January 7, 2014 I've been bathing Ollie with calendula tea as well but it doesn't seem to relieve the itch The link I posted is a site that sells good products which supposedly helps as well, so I might look into some of them. They're very pricey though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
giraffez Posted January 7, 2014 Author Share Posted January 7, 2014 Thank you all. He has been licking at it because the spot is all brown from the saliva. Are there any anti fungal cream I can get at the chemist that can be applied on him? How about cortizone or something like that... I think it was some anti fungal for the human feet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
minimax Posted January 7, 2014 Share Posted January 7, 2014 Thank you all. He has been licking at it because the spot is all brown from the saliva. Are there any anti fungal cream I can get at the chemist that can be applied on him? How about cortizone or something like that... I think it was some anti fungal for the human feet. Canesten? I use that on my pug when she gets a few fungal spots. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RuralPug Posted January 7, 2014 Share Posted January 7, 2014 (edited) A yeast bloom is always due to an immune system problem. It can be a minor local problem, caused by a minor allergic reaction to perhaps a bee sting or even the laundry powder a visitor uses or it can become a huge systemic problem if left untreated for some time. It can be caused by stress ( the things that stress different dogs may surprise you, we are not talking abuse or anything) but by far the most common reason that I have heard (especially in chronic cases) is that the dog has developed an allergy to something in the diet - usually the protein in grains. It can be something that they have been eating for years, suddenly their metabolic processes no longer work as efficiently. Severely yeasty dogs will bloom if they even get a mouthful of the allergen. First thing to try is an antifungal rinse (any good canine ear cleaner or 50/50 listerine solution will do in a pinch, but ACV is just as readily available and gentler where the dog has broken skin from scratching). If that relieves symptoms but the problem keeps recurring, next try a grain free diet. If any other symptoms start occuring, definitely work with your vet, but beware that some vets will just throw antibiotics and/or antihistamines at the problem which is not necessarily helpful, so be prepared with your research and make sure you choose a vet that is willing to listen. Mel BTW Calendula Tea and the like are fantastic for relieving allergy itches, but don't really do much for yeast bloom in my experience - I think the yeast likes the stuff! Edited to add: I personally never recommend creams or lotions or anything that leaves a moist greasy residue because the moisture just encourages the yeast no matter how antifungal the stuff is supposed to be. I always use astringents for a fast clear of the symptoms, always bearing in mind that if the symptoms recur you need to seek the cause and address it. Edited January 7, 2014 by RuralPug Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yonjuro Posted January 8, 2014 Share Posted January 8, 2014 Tea tree oil is an excellent anti-fungal, but agree that the vet is the best option to sort it out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
schnauzer Posted January 8, 2014 Share Posted January 8, 2014 Best you see your vet for correct diagnosis, skin scraping, medication and treatment program. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted January 8, 2014 Share Posted January 8, 2014 Tea tree oil is an excellent anti-fungal, and TOXIC to dogs. I would also suggest a vet visit first- mention that you are thinking fungal ..and get a diagnosis before making treatment plans :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blakkjackal Posted January 8, 2014 Share Posted January 8, 2014 When I went to the vet about the same matter all they did was sell me some Malaseb and tell me to bathe the dog in it. In my experience vets can be a bit useless when it comes to yeast infections as they'll rather treat it than try to solve the underlying problem. A confirmed diagnosis will never hurt, but in my opinion getting it can be a bit of a waste of money with something as common as yeast (which is exactly what this sounds like to me). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
minimax Posted January 8, 2014 Share Posted January 8, 2014 Tea tree oil is an excellent anti-fungal, but agree that the vet is the best option to sort it out. Do not put this in an area they can lick, it is toxic!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted January 8, 2014 Share Posted January 8, 2014 thinking.... where is this spot he scratches? it is just in front of his sheath ..around his 'belly button' If so .. it may be irritation from urine . Do you leave the hair on his sheath long so liquid can drain off properly? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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