The most common clinical signs of yeast dermatitis include: Thickened skin or “elephant skin”, Flaky, crusty or scaly skin, Redness and itchiness, Musty odor, Recurrent or chronic ear infections (otitis externa), Hyperpigmentation.
The most common clinical signs of staph infection are: Excessive itching, licking or chewing, Eye, ears, skin or respiratory system infections, Patchy fur with peeling, crusty skin, or moist skin, Inflamed or red skin, Pain, Pus-filled lesions on the skin.
We use several techniques to collect samples and diagnose yeast dermatitis, including: Impression smear, Skin biopsy, Skin scraping, Acetate tape preparations, Cotton swab sample.
For a staph infection, your pet will need a complete physical examination, and your veterinarian may perform a complete blood count, biochemistry profile, and urinalysis, in addition to thoroughly reviewing your pet’s medical history and asking questions such as when you began to notice symptoms.
Skin tests may also be done to find out whether the inflammation is caused by immune-related issues or an allergic reaction.
A skin biopsy may be required, during which your veterinarian will swab the skin to determine which antibiotic should be used to treat the condition.