Could Dog Cough Be Related to Yeast Infection?

by | May 10, 2019 | Ask A Vet, Coughing & Lungs, Fungal Infection | 0 comments

by Karen
(Moberly, MO USA)

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We took Minnie (one of the maltese) to our vet about a month ago after noticing her sister (Millie) was constantly licking her face, and noticed that above and below Minnie’s eyes, she was losing hair and becoming open wounds. Also found a hot spot on outside of ear (which was hidden under her hair), and found large scab-like mass on her lower lip (½ on inside, ½ outside), also hidden by hair.

Our vet diagnosed Minnie with yeast infection and prescribed Tresaderm 1x daily x10 days, but we did not want to continue with antibiotics, so did 4 days and tried some other remedies, such as apple cider vinegar/water solution, and frankincense/lavender/ distilled water mist on the affected areas (with exception of eyes)and other topical treatments .

We also used Colloidal Silver gel on affected areas to help with itching and encourage healing – still not completely gone, but much better…. She still licks her front legs as if the yeast is still so we are now applying frankincense/lavender/ distilled water solution with cotton ball topically every evening.

After doing research on yeast infection, I realize all of the dogs have overgrowth of yeast on various levels. Their current diet consists of Taste of the Wild (grain-free) dry dogfood and Alpo canned “filet mignon” dogfood (which we are trying to get away from. I have made a “gravy” to put on their dry food to try and replace canned dogfood – and have used for last 6 months, but stopped when Minnie was diagnosed with yeast infection. I was afraid the carb content of the sweet potatoes would increase yeast production. The gravy consisted of ground turkey, sweet potatoes, oatmeal (ground into powder, low sodium chicken and 4-6 cups of water. We now use gravy with ground turkey, broth, water, and powdered oatmeal.

CURRENT PROBLEM:

Millie is our long-haired maltese with only one eye (defective eye appears to be congenital deformity – has had no problems other than total blindness in that eye). She is a very loving and playful dog, and loves to be held or lay on your lap. On the other hand, she is very protective of her home and barks at everything. She does not like visitors and will viciously (lol) bark, but if approached, she will run and hide under the chair.

Now, for the past 3 days, Millie has a horrible cough that sounds similar to how kennel cough is described in the literature – but I don’t think that is what she has….. It’s a dry, non-productive cough. I’m really concerned that it may be a fungal infection that she contracted from licking Minnie’s wounds in trying to take care of her. My biggest fear is that this will work it’s way into pneumonia…

She has not been anywhere except vet to getrabies/distemper vaccine (which left her lethargic and nearly unable to walk for a few days….never again…!!!) She only goes outside to go to the bathroom. She continues to be active and playful with no problems eating or drinking. The coughing lasts 5-10 seconds and occurs when she gets excited, It is very loud – and almost sounds like she’s “barking” (6-8 coughs) – then a gag that sounds like she’s trying to cough a hairball.

She may have up to 4-5 spells within 30 minutes; then may be several hours before next spell. All 3 maltese are confined to large family room with tile flooring due to “accidental pottying” – other animals allowed to roam

We have been using Pet Armour monthly flea treatment over summer; last tx was August 20. We just groomed over the weekend – no fleas, but they continue to itch.

I believe that Minnie and Millie have, from what I have read from researching, a collapsed trachea – but this cough does not sound like the other occasional cough. Millie’s cough now, is much louder and more distinct; sounds more like a bark.

QUESTION:

Since I don’t have time to continue researching and trying new things out of fear of her getting worse, I am asking for the best option to rid her of this cough.

I believe this may be yeast-related, but having never experienced this before, I am not totally sure. Please help me….I don’t have any biological children of my own, so these are my “kids“…

BACKGROUND INFO:

We have the following rescue pets in our home.

3 maltese – Minnie & Millie are approximately 7-8 years old; Maggie is about 10?
1 black lab mix (Mackenzie)- 13 years old
2 cats – yellow tabby (Harley)& black short hair (Oreo)- (strictly indoor cats….)

Really appreciate your help and your service…..we don’t have access to holistic vet care in central Missouri.

God bless you…..

Comments for Could Dog Cough Be Related to Yeast Infection?

Nov 13, 2014My Online Vet Response for: Could Dog Cough Be Related to Yeast Infection?
by: Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

November 12, 2014

Hi Karen,
From what you have described, Millie’s cough does not sound like it is ‘yeast’ related. It is a GREAT description of ‘kennel cough’. Although, you cannot determine where she may have acquired this cough, I would be 99% positive that she has kennel cough, technically known as ‘Canine Tracheo-Bronchitis’.

It is caused by a combination of a bacteria, Bordatella bronchiseptica, (given as a vaccine called ‘Kennel Cough vaccine’), a virus, Para-Influenza, (usually included with every distemper/Parvo vaccination), AND stress. In my experience, it is not unusual for a dog to get kennel cough after receiving a vaccination!

Since Millie had an adverse reaction to vaccinations, you are wise to never vaccinate her again!

Treatment: keep the patient quiet, feed soft foods that are easy to swallow, plenty of liquids, and offer a tsp of honey when a coughing attack occurs. It will take about 7-10 days to recover. This is a contagious disease to other dogs. The cats will be fine. In some severe cases, a cough suppressant may be needed. I suggest you try the homeopathic remedy, Spongia tosta 6C or 12C. Dissolve one pellet in a 2 oz glass dropper bottle filled with Spring Water, succuss the remedy prior to each dose, (hit the bottle against the palm of your hand) 20 times, and give her a dropperful 4-6 times daily for the first 3 days, then decrease as she improves.

Regarding the diet:
See our page on 10 Best Dog Food Options, https://www.organic-pet-digest.com/10-best-dog-food-options.html, and consider a RAW diet for everyone. ESPECIALLY, the cats! (check out Rad Cat, http://www.radfood.com/

This may be expensive for the big dog, Mackenzie, but you can compromise and do a mixture so that each meal for her is 1/3 canned, 1/3 dry, and 1/3 raw.

For the smaller dogs, (and the cats), it should be 3/4 RAW, such as Primal, Nature’s Variety, BRAVO, etc. and 1/4 canned. (Taste of the Wild offers canned food, but it is to be used in combination with their dry, not as a ‘stand alone’ type of food.)

‘Healthy’ canned foods should have no preservatives, no artificial color, no by-products, check out Pet Guard, Nutro, Trader Joe’s brands, or Nature’s Recipe.

And, for the dogs, you can certainly add in cooked green beans, carrots, pieces of apple or cantaloupe. RAW meat contains vitamin C. Dogs and cats, produce vitamin C in their body, so pet food companies do not add any vitamin C to the food. (When meat is heated or cooked the vitamin C is destroyed.)

For your dogs with yeast problems, they must have a compromised immune system, and are probably NOT making enough vitamin C. Adjusting their diet accordingly, will certainly be a step in the right direction. And if this is not enough, consider some immune support.

1. Missing Link Canine Formula
2. Immuplex from Standard Process
3. OrthoMolecular Specialties, Mega C Powder

I suspect that your dogs have inhaled allergies, (pollens, grasses, trees, etc) because the lesions you mention are around the eyes, the ear, mouth and front legs.

Flea allergies are typified by itching over the lower back, base of tail, abdomen and around the neck.

I suspect that from chronic itching from allergies, and their long hair being wet from saliva, and matted down, they developed secondary yeast and probably a little bacterial skin infection.

Keeping their hair short, using the apple cider topically as needed, improving the diet, and no more vaccinations, should help.

Another resource for vets knowledgeable in homeopathy is AVH.org.

Please keep us posted by coming back to this page and clicking the ‘click here to add your own comments’ link below.

Take care,
Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

DISCLAIMER: The above should never replace the advice of your local veterinarian, as they have the ability to evaluate your dog in person.

Nov 13, 2014Thank you for the priceless information….!!!
by: Anonymous

I cannot tell you how much I appreciate your VERY THOROUGH recommendations….!!!! After seeing Minnie and Millie suffer so much, I am going to do more to get them all an appropriate diet – and stop the vaccinations…! I should have listened to that “inner voice” that told me not to do it, but instead, I let them pay the price….NEVER AGAIN…!

As far as your service – it is an answer to our prayers…. Even if we had access to a holistic vet, there is no way we could afford to take all 6 animals…. Your website – and your dedication to truly help our beloved “children” will save me from having to do a lot of my own research, and more importantly, it will allow me to act earlier, when a problem first arises.

Again, thank you….and God bless you….!!!
Karen

Nov 14, 2014My Online Vet Response for: Could Dog Cough Be Related to Yeast Infection?
by: Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

November 13, 2014

Hi Karen,
You are very welcome!

Please keep us posted by coming back to this page and clicking the ‘click here to add your own comments’ link below.

Take care,
Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

DISCLAIMER: The above should never replace the advice of your local veterinarian, as they have the ability to evaluate your dog in person.

Click here to go back to the Ask a Vet Online Library of questions.

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