Can anyone tell me what the medical protocol is for treating a dog that has a yeast infection? Have already been to the vet and she has reccommended a very expensive antibiotic treatment. Just want to get all the info I can before making a decision. the dog in question is a 3yr. old Golden Ret. "Noley" and he weighs approximately 80 - 85 lbs
Thanks
Terry

Our pup had a yeast infection in his ears. We had to use an antibiotic called Otomax.But it wasn't all that expensive.It cost $12 for a seven day treatment.

 Quote:

....medical protocol is for treating a dog that has a yeast infection?....

You don't say where (ears, skin), so here are some overviews at sites I have used many times.

http://www.vetinfo.com/dyeast.html

http://www.marvistavet.com/html/body_yeast_infection_of_the_skin.html

And here's one I'm not as familiar with:

http://www.thepetprofessor.com/articles/article.aspx?id=215

Dr. Richards (the first site) wrote the explanation in 2000, and I believe that the info about the possible connection between grain-based diets and yeast infections was not yet as widespread as it seems to be now.

I'd like to say that I've had dogs who came to me with terrible yeast infections that took some time to clear up (skin, folds, ear, paws...), and that until they were well-established on grain-free diets (in the case of my house that's a raw diet, but there are commercial no-grain foods), the underlying cause, IMO, wasn't eliminated.

Your dog may also have a combination yeast-bacterial infection, which is extremely common and requires a different regimen from yeast alone.

I would ask the vet directly what the alternatives are and why the med suggested is so expensive. I'd start a dialogue.

Otomax (often used after Flush, or the like) is indeed inexpensive, but it's a topical ear med, and you are probably talking about internal meds.

I think the web sites will give you the language for questions to ask your vet.

I've been there (several times), and I can say that although the infection can be expensive to clear up (often requiring a combination of internal and topical meds), you can also work to correct the underlying chronic conditions causing it. Again, the vet can help you address this.

BTW, I'm not a health professional, and my experience has been largely with allergic dogs, so that's the way my replies slant.

Connie you are exactly right about the Otomax(it was used after a flush). We applied it to the inside of the ear, but not directly to the canal. I'm not a vet either. As you said get a dialogue going with the vet.There are usually more than one medical option for treatment.