Pets and Yeast Infection
July 9, 2008 10:00 pm Yeast Infection, Yeast Infection in PetsHumans get yeast infection when growth of a fungus called Candida goes out of control. Candida loves a warm and moist area where there is very little air circulation and wherever it finds such a location in human body it starts multiplying wildly. Usually humans get attacked by yeast infection inside their mouths or around the crotch. Women are also very susceptible to yeast infection in vaginal canal, around or on the nipples and below breasts. Generally these are the areas where Candida finds conditions conducive to rapid growth.
An animal can get affected by yeast infection in much the same manner as a human being can get affected by it. But the reasons are not always the same as to why an animal might catch an infection.
Let us first discuss the reasons which are common to both humans and animals. One very common reason is use, rather overuse, of antibiotics. Antibiotics are a double-edged sword. Because of their ability to control a vast majority of infections, they are hugely popular, but while getting rid of one type of infection it either reduces the general level of immunity in the body or kills friendly bacteria and fungus which normally reside in our system. This causes an imbalance in the delicate ecosystem within our bodies and it becomes open to a large number of other infections, yeast infection being one of them.
The other reason which is common to both humans and animals is stress. Yes, animals also suffer from stress much the same way as we humans do. The only difference is that they are unable to express themselves as we can. But the bad effects of stress are much the same in animals as in humans. It can create an imbalance in the volume of yeast that is optimal in the system. When that level is breached, both you and your pet become vulnerable to an attack of yeast infection.
Now let us discuss the reasons which are specific to animals only. It could be heartworm medications, vaccinations, medicines administered to rid your pet of fleas, or, toxic gut syndrome which is the end result of lack of digestive enzymes and poor quality minerals. These are some of the reasons for your pet to become affected by yeast infection.
You may at times feel perplexed as to why your pet is not responding well to treatment being done for some other ailment. Before blaming your vet find out whether your pet is suffering from yeast infection. This infection often prevents other medicines from having full effect. If indeed your pet gets affected by yeast infection you may try out a simple change of diet instead of rushing to a vet. Many a times pets develop an allergy to readymade animal foods available in the market and a change of diet is all that is required to clear unwanted yeast infection from the animal?s body.
Before we end, we should take a quick glance at the symptoms to look for in your pet to find out whether it has been affected by yeast infection or not. If you find it to be chronically lethargic or there is excessive redness between toes and other skin folds on the body, or, it is suffering from bloating and excessive gas, or, it licks or scratches excessively its private parts or rubs its nose abnormally, you might be reasonably sure that it has been affected by yeast infection.
You can order for a yeast removal kit but don?t get carried away by catchy advertisements. It can take anything between two to eight months for your pet to get completely rid of a yeast infection. At times your pet might feel very uncomfortable while this detoxifying process is carried out but unfortunately is unable to express itself. So, pay special attention to find out whether it is feeling comfortable or not.
You may try out another simple remedy also. Bathe your pet regularly with a medicated shampoo and thoroughly dry it after each bath. You may be pleasantly surprised to find that the yeast infection has vanished within a week to ten days.