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Fungus and Yeast

Posted by deepenuf2dream 10 (My Page) on
Sat, Nov 7, 09 at 14:57

Hello all, I have been having trouble with my cocker spaniel having frequent and severe yeast infections...I have come to the conclusion that it is from fungus in the lawn we often see mushrooms pop up in the back yard. Is there something that can help with this?


Follow-Up Postings:

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RE: Fungus and Yeast

So you think that the mushrooms in your lawn is causing your dog to get these yeast infections? Do you think your dog is eating these mushrooms, or it's from just being in contact with them? What does your vet say?


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RE: Fungus and Yeast

the vet said it was a yeast infection due at least in part to alergies. I am assuming that the mushrooms played a part because they are fungal and often present. The infections usually are on the chest and genital area which would come into contact with the ground and mushrooms during bathroom breaks and play.


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RE: Fungus and Yeast

Unfortunately there isn't a whole lot you can do to get rid of mushrooms. They are the fruiting bodies of fungus, and to rid your lawn of fungus would be a near impossible task. I suppose heavy doses of fungicide might lessen the mushroom population, but they are probably not going to be very good for you or your dog. I am not a vet, but from what I have read yeast infections of the skin can result from yeast and or fungus of the skin proliferating when conditions are favorable. An allergic reaction can cause this favorable condition, allowing the yeast/skin fungus to take hold and cause the infection. I guess your dog could be allergic to lawn mushrooms, but I think it is long shot that is the cause. The only thing I guess you could do if that is the cause is pick all the mushrooms you can in your lawn. Over time this will probably lessen the amount of them, and if you get most of them, then your dog won't be able to touch them. Just be sure an wash your hands after you pick them.


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RE: Fungus and Yeast

Thanx for your help...I will talk to the vet again and bring up the mushrooms and see what he says. Definately what you are saying about the allergic reaction is what he was saying. We did move to a new housing development that is only just begun and is still semi rural. And that is when it all started. It is so sad for her if she will be like this the rest of her life, she is so miserable, and we feed her benedryl almost daily.


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RE: Fungus and Yeast

One last thought. If you really want to see if the mushrooms are causing the allergic reaction you could shave a small patch on her back and rub a mushroom from your lawn on that patch. I know it sounds somewhat mean, but that will give you definite proof, and that is how they test for allergies in humans, so it's not that mean. Just a suggestion.


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RE: Fungus and Yeast

Good lord! Seriously???

You are just guessing about the cause and are making flawed assumptions. Yeast infections are common. They happen in warm, moist places. They have nothing to do with mushrooms. The mushrooms growing in your lawn are the fruiting part of a fungus that eats decomposing wood/roots etc. That fungus cannot live on animal skin. There is an outside chance that your dog is actually allergic to mushrooms. That would show up if he ate the mushrooms. I guess it is possible that he is having a contact reaction to them, but the chances that he has such severe allergies that way to mushrooms is exceedingly small.

Since you have just moved into a new housing development, chances are, your dog is reacting to something in that new environment. New carpets? New cleaners? Any chemicals (fertilizers, herbicides, insecticides) sprayed on the lawn? New diet? All it takes is a little irritation, then the dog scratches, then the skin gets raw, then infections can set it. You might be able to find it, but it is awfully hard since the dog can't tell you.

Yeast likes warm and moist, so anything you can do to minimize that will help. Dry your dog off after outings. Clean any carpets or bedding the dog lays on. They sell special shampoos to treat the current infection, so you probably want to give that a try.


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RE: Fungus and Yeast

Yes, I was primarily working off of assumptions and it wasn't getting me very far...that is why I came here. I really didn't know anything at all about mushrooms except that they were a type of fungus, but from what you say it sounds unlikely now that they are the cause. There are no new chemicals or cleaners, fertilizer etc. we do water more often since the lawn is ours now. I will keep check on the dryness of her coat. Yes we are currently using a medicated shampoo and a fungal topical spray. Thanx for your input Bill.


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RE: Fungus and Yeast

My dog's got allergies and is prone to yeast infections as well. After many vet visits we've concluded that it's pollen that she is allergic too. We give her weekly baths with an anti-fungal shampoo and then baby Benedryl nightly before bedtime and it's much better now.


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