Quote: Mychal Scott

I'm gonna try and find a shampoo that has the same active ingredients as the masaleb. ....

The name Malaseb comes from being a treatment for malassezia (malassezia dermatitis is a fungal, or yeast, infection of the skin) and seborrhea (excess oil production that feeds the fungus/yeast).


Seborrhea, this oil increase that feeds the fungi spores, is often triggered by an allergic reaction. (The yeast overgrowth is often contributed to by the antibiotic needed to treat the bacterial infection that can come with skin problems.)

Flea saliva allergy can be the allergy responsible.

(Other allergies can be, too, but we already know this dog is exhibiting all the classic flea-dermatitis symptoms. Also, even if he does have another allergy, fleas exacerbate other allergic reactions in dogs because most of the dog's reactions to allergies are skin-related. The reason for this is that the dog's histamine receptors are mainly in his skin, as opposed to our histamine receptors, which are largely in the mucus membranes.)

Quick clarification.... For the scrapings "between the toes" is that on all four paws? Then a scraping from the belly, each ear, and groin....is that because that is most common for moisture/sweat causing yeast to grow?

Yes, yeast appears first (usually) and grows fastest in the areas that are more "enclosed," where air has less access and moisture has more. Between the toes (the foot pads are where dogs have most of their sweat glands), under folds, in armpits, in the groin area and towards the belly from there, in the ears, and under the jaw and down the chest.

I would add under the jaw to that list, in fact.

The vet will decide how many are needed.

They are not open today, so it will be tomorrow afternoon probably or when they can squeeze us in...

About the Advantix II .... I don't mean to imply that a flea topical that is a repellant as well as a flea poison means that the flea issue is over.

This is all still true, sadly:

Fleas don't reproduce on the dog, which is why the environment needs to be de-flead while the dog is being bathed. The larvae are not on the dog; they are in his bed, in the carpet, in area rugs, etc. In fact, this is where most of the fleas will be, too. The dog is removing them from his body as fast and as furiously as he can, so even though he is continually being bitten, the biggest population is usually in his living area.

Also, the repelling factor gets mixed reviews.

IME, the topicals are one tool in the toolbox, but by no means a cure.

 Quote: Mychal Scott

"Don't introduce any moisture to a healthy ear" What about swimming, or the beach, etc?

Later when the dog's ears are normal you can use one of the alcohol based flushes after swimming to get the ear to dry all the way.

My last ear infection prone dog was a lab that swam in the pool all summer. As long as we flushed the ears when they got wet he was fine. We would also fold his ears back and use a crocheted band to keep them exposed until they were dry. He looked funny but the band really helped.

just got back from the vet. Right ear drum is really inflamed. Doesn't know if something got in there and poked it, or if something tiny was in there that was missed last time. Said no more flush for now, just the drops and meds. Come back in a week or give him a call sooner if we feel necessary.


Talked about the yeast possibilities. The ears look good for yeast. Mentioned scrapings. He looked over him real good and said he doesn't see any real signs of yeast overgrowth. He said financially for him it would make sense, but in his experience he would hold off for now at least until we get the ear issue taken care of then, if we want to peruse it more, he will do the scrapings to see what else is going on.

He said to get an antifungal antibacterial shampoo for now. I said I just got Malaseb, he said excellent!
He mentioned allergy to fleas and him having a reaction to them. He did say to put it on every three weeks, keep the yard sprayed and rid the house as you all have mentioned and we are already working on.

Hmmmm, whatelse. Oh and I'd the issues don't clear up he would be more than willing to recommend a good dermo vet so we don't keep spinning our wheels and not getting anywhere.

Oh also mentioned I'm putting him on probiotics and he agreed, great idea!

Thanks for all the help ans suggestions! Let me know if I missed anything, or any comments!

 Quote: Mychal Scott

just got back from the vet. Right ear drum is really inflamed. Doesn't know if something got in there and poked it, or if something tiny was in there that was missed last time. Said no more flush for now, just the drops and meds. Come back in a week or give him a call sooner if we feel necessary.


Talked about the yeast possibilities. The ears look good for yeast. Mentioned scrapings. He looked over him real good and said he doesn't see any real signs of yeast overgrowth. He said financially for him it would make sense, but in his experience he would hold off for now at least until we get the ear issue taken care of then, if we want to peruse it more, he will do the scrapings to see what else is going on.

He said to get an antifungal antibacterial shampoo for now. I said I just got Malaseb, he said excellent!
He mentioned allergy to fleas and him having a reaction to them. He did say to put it on every three weeks, keep the yard sprayed and rid the house as you all have mentioned and we are already working on.

Hmmmm, whatelse. Oh and I'd the issues don't clear up he would be more than willing to recommend a good dermo vet so we don't keep spinning our wheels and not getting anywhere.

Oh also mentioned I'm putting him on probiotics and he agreed, great idea!

Thanks for all the help ans suggestions! Let me know if I missed anything, or any comments!

Good job, Mychal.

I know you'll stay on top of that ear, which can turn nasty (causing deafness and worse) if left.

Everything the vet said makes sense to me! I'm glad you ordered the Malaseb.

Was in a hurry to get back to work earlier, but it was the Advantix he said every three weeks. Gave him a shot for the inflammation, said it should relieve the irritation from the inflammation and the head shaking "should" go away quickly, and if not by tomorrow afternoon, to get him back before the weekend for sure.

Malaseb should be here anytime this afternoon, then bath, vacuum, wash, spray.....damn fleas.

"a shot for the inflammation"


A steroid (like Prednisone, etc.) injection?