How do I know if my dog has a fungal or bacterial infection?
Abdiel Walsh
2025-08-06 14:24:58
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Your dog’s coat is often a good indicator of their overall health, and that’s also true in cases of yeast infection; if her coat is greasy or there are signs of hair loss, or foul-smelling skin, she should see a vet. When harmless malassezia changes to a pathogenic form, it can become problematic and result in symptoms such as: Skin irritation Inflammation Intense itchiness Flaky, crusty or scaly skin Thickened/”elephant” skin Ear infections. You may especially notice these signs between your four-legged friend’s paw pads and nails, and on the neck, nasal folds, armpits and anal area. Also check around his years. Secondary symptoms can include a sticky discharge, skin redness or sores. Your vet may use any of these techniques to collect a sample from your dog so his infection can be diagnosed and treated: Skin biopsy - The most invasive diagnostic test uses a biopsy punch to obtain a small piece of skin. However, this provides the most complete diagnostic data. Cotton swab sample - The skin is rubbed with a moistened swab to collect yeast organisms. Impression smear - A microscope slide is pressed onto the skin to collect yeast organisms. Bacterial skin infections can also accompany the condition and require 4 to 12 weeks of antibiotics.
Mason Gerhold
2025-08-06 13:32:48
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Your dog’s red, itchy and inflamed skin may be due to a bacterial or fungal skin infection. Is your dog feeling itchy, or does his skin appear flaky, moist or crusty? He may have a bacterial or fungal infection. You may also notice, odor, inflammation or redness. Symptoms of Fungal & Bacterial Skin Infection in Dogs are common signs of both fungal and staph infection in dogs. Fungal Infection (Yeast Dermatitis) Common clinical symptoms of yeast dermatitis include: Recurring or chronic ear infections (otitis externa) Itchiness and redness Musty odor “Elephant skin” or thickened skin Hyperpigmentation Crusty, scaly or flaky skin. Staph Infection Common clinical symptoms of staph infection include: Pain Red or inflamed skin Pus-filled lesions on the skin Excessive licking, itching or chewing Patchy fur with peeling, moist or crusty skin. At Falls Road Animal Hospital, we use advanced diagnostic tools and run tests in our in-house lab, so we can offer fast testing and precise diagnoses for your pet’s medical issues.
Yesenia Osinski
2025-08-06 09:34:31
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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.