Yeast Infections / Candida In Canines

Yeasts are single cell living creatures, which can be found on the surface of all living things, including a dog's body. It is usual that yeasts live on the mucous membranes in the digestive tract. There is one particular group of yeasts, which are known as Candida albicans and they live in the digestive tract and in order to survive, they consume such things such as fats and sugars.

When a dog has a healthy immune system, the body can destroy the yeasts. But when a dog has a weak immune system, then the yeast, which feeds opportunistically may reproduce in large amounts which cause toxins that strongly affect the immune system, preventing it from working correctly.

It is at this point that a lot of health problems can occur as the system becomes altered. So it is important to remember that too much growth of yeast toxins can affect your dog's immune system, nervous system and endocrine system. As these particular systems are all connected, then yeast toxins can cause major allergies, infections in the bladder, skin disorders and several other different health problems.

The cause of yeast infections, like Candida, comes from grain-based foods and drugs, chemicals and poisons. Cooked food, such as canned or bagged food will destroy the natural immune system. Also antibiotics can cause yeast infections because they kill the good bacteria that would normally be used to fight the yeast. Steroids that shut down the body's ability to fight back, and other drugs, such as Frontline, Advantage, Heartguard, etc. are all reasons for the occurrence of yeast infections.

There are various types of treatments being used to treat yeast infections. Although drugs are a temporary fix for yeast problems, they do not in actual fact eliminate the cause of the symptom. It is important to find the cause so that it can be started.

As with any type of infection, prevention is the cure. It is important to put your dog on a raw meat and bone diet immediately, along with supplements to boost and balance the immune system. This will also cleanse the toxins from the body and re-establish a friendly bacteria, which will effectively help to fight the yeast and increase the level of nutrition in your dog. This must be a permanent lifestyle change in order to prevent your dog getting any more yeast infections.

*** Some great foods for your dog to eat:

Vegetables -asparagus, broccoli, eggplant, cauliflower, green beans, cucumber, brussel sprouts & celery

Meats -chicken, beef, rabbit, duck, lamb & fish

Dairy -plain yogurt, pasteurized non-fat milk, pectin, naturally milled sugar & natural vanilla flavor

*** These foods should be forbidden at all times:

buttermilk, cheese, peanuts, crackers, pretzels, bread, sausages, ham, sauces, mushrooms, potatoes, bacon, grains such as: white and brown rice, wheat, oats and barley and anything sweet such as, sugar, honey, maple syrup, etc.

You'll get that "sad eye look" while you are eating, I am sure, they like to make you feel guilty. Know that, by NOT giving your dog some of these foods listed above, you are showing your pup just how much you love them!