Yeast, Skin, Allergies, Bacterial Infections
by Darleen Rudnick, B.S.W., M.H.N. Certified Holistic Nutritionist
Yeasts are single cell organisms, which are found on the surfaces of all living things, including your pet's body. Yeasts normally live on the mucous membranes of the digestive tract. Unfriendly bacteria, viruses, allergens and other enemies also find their way into other membrane-lined passageways and cavities. Also existing in the body are billions of friendly germs.
One family of yeasts called, Candida albicans, live in your pet's body, and consume substances such as sugar and fats in order to survive. Yeast toxins affect your pet's immune system, nervous system, and their endocrine system. Since these systems are all connected, yeast toxins play a major role in causing allergies, vaginal and bladder infections, skin disorders and many other health problems.
When a pet's immune system is healthy, the body is able to destroy the yeast. However, when the immune system is weak, the yeast may produce in mass amounts causing toxins that disable the immune system and prevent it from functioning properly. In this case, the immune system cannot destroy the yeast. At this point, the system becomes altered causing a host of health problems.
Many pet owners have visited several veterinarians, and have spent hundreds of dollars without any positive results. In a large percentage of cases, a vet has ruled out a yeast infection. However, when the owner began treatment for a yeast infection, the pet responded positively.
Signs and Symptoms of a Yeast Infection
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Food Allergies
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Nearly Every Type of Allergic Reaction
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Food Sensitivities
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Hypoglycemia Reaction
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Diabetes
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Constipation
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On-going Ear Mite Problem
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Depression
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Muscle and Joint Pain (Stiff Joints/Arthritis)
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Dizziness
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White-Coated Tongue
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Brittle Nails
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Hives and other Skin Eruptions
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Rectal Itching
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Chronic Infections
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Infertility
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Mucus in the Stool
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Clogged Sinuses
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Environmental Sensitivity
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Bloating
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Flatulence
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Diarrhea
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Insomnia
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Severe Itching & Skin Rashes
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Persistent Cough
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Fatigue
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Chronic Ear Infections
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Greasy Skin
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Cloudy Eyes
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Foul Odor from the Body or Ears
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Discharge from the Eyes, Ears or Nose
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Scratching in or under the Ears
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Reddened area inside the Ears
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Hypothyroidism
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Immune Disorders
The symptoms listed above may be due to other health issues; therefore, before concluding that your pet's health problem is yeast related you should have your pet checked by a veterinarian to rule out anemia, diabetes, cancer or other diseases. If these problems are ruled out, it is likely your pet may be suffering from a yeast infection.
Treating A Yeast Infection Naturally
The program outlined suggests general guidelines to follow. Since your pet has its own individual needs, we highly recommend a consultation before beginning the program.
Many different types of traditional treatments are being used to treat yeast and other skin problems. Although drugs are very effective, in most cases they do not eliminate the cause of the symptom. To get at the cause, you need to look at the whole picture. Once the cause is found, a PREVENTION PLAN can be initiated. A prevention plan is a simple method of enhancing the level of nutrition and making lifestyle changes. It is an attempt to address any special needs your pet may have.
Prevention Plan
Change the Diet -- You Must Feed a grain free, potato free, yeast free diet
If you are feeding dry or canned food you must avoid these ingredients:
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Meat-by-products
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Corn syrup
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Caramel coloring
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Rice flour
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Wheat gluten
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Corn gluten
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Yeast
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Potatoes (sweet and white)
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All grains
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Sugar
Most grainless dry foods contain potatoes, so read the ingredients carefully.
If you plan on feeding a homemade diet, an anti-yeast diet includes meats, most vegetables and some diary. An anti-yeast diet will starve the yeast and aid in the healing process. However, diet alone will not control the problem, it is only the first step. Keep in mind a restricted diet does not have to last forever. Once your pet's health improves, you will be able to expand on what you feed.
Foods that are allowed:
Vegetables:
asparagus, broccoli, cauliflower, eggplant, parsley, brussel sprouts, celery, green beans, yellow beans, cucumbers, collard, kale, lettuce, spinach.
Meats:
Beef, duck, chicken, fish, rabbit, turkey, Cornish hen, lamb.
Dairy:
Plain organic yogurt is recommended.
Beverages:
Water
Forbidden Foods:
Cheese
Cottage cheese
Crackers
Mushrooms Packaged & processed foods
Peanuts
Sorbital
Sweet Potatoes, white potatoes and yams
Vitamin/minerals from yeast source
Breads
Sausage
Bacon
Lunchmeats
Smoked turkey
Ham
Sauces, gravies
ALL grains -- white rice, brown rice, wheat, oats, barley
Sweets -- sugar, honey, molasses, maple syrup, corn syrup, dextrose
Homemade Anti-Yeast Diets:
Chicken n' Veggies
1 package of chicken thighs with skin (family pack)
Remove chicken skin on half of the pieces and discard.
2 chicken bouillon cubes
2 cloves garlic
1 1/2 cup water
1 bag frozen vegetables (use one vegetable)
In crock-pot place chicken, garlic and 1 1/2 cups water. Cook on LOW for 6 hours or until the chicken is completely cooked. Add vegetables. Stir. Meal is complete.
Before serving, carefully remove the bones. Serve at room temperature. Refrigerator for 6 days -- then discard.
Chicken n' Beans
1 package of chicken thighs with skin (family pack)
Remove skin on half of the pieces and discard.
1 can kidney beans drained (10 oz. can)
2 cloves garlic
1 1/2 cup water
1 bag frozen vegetables or 2 cups fresh vegetables
In crock-pot place chicken, garlic and 1 1/2 cups water. Cook on LOW for 6 hours or until the chicken is completely cooked. Add 1 bag frozen/fresh vegetables and kidney beans. Stir. Meal is complete.
Before serving, carefully remove the bones. Serve at room temperature. Refrigerator for 6 days -- then discard.
Beef Melody
2 lbs. medium fat ground meat or cubed steak
2 cloves garlic
1 1/2 cup water
1 bag frozen vegetables or 2 cups fresh vegetables
In crock-pot place beef, garlic and 1 1/2 cups water. Cook on LOW for 6 hours or until the beef is completely cooked. Turn crock-pot off. Add 1 bag frozen/fresh vegetables. Stir. Meal is complete. Serve at room temperature. Refrigerator for 6 days -- then discard.
NOTE: The crock-pot is suggested for ease of cooking, but any method can be used. You can also feed a raw diet, however, it is the position of For Pet Health that BARF feeding has certain dangers. While we are not against it, we do not recommend it because it takes a certain amount of knowledge to feed it risk-free.
Supplements
Supplementing is a Must When Treating Skin Disorders. Antibiotics, especially if you give them repeatedly destroy the friendly bacteria. Since antibiotics do not harm yeast, they spread out and raise large families that thrive in moist, dark, warm places, such as the mouth, intestines, ears, and nose. When yeasts multiply, they put out toxins, which circulate through your pet's body and make them sick.
For Pet Health does not recommend discontinuing traditional medicine cold turkey or discontinuing at all. If you are interested in learning how to treat yeast naturally, a consultation is highly recommended before any treatment is started.
A consultation will include a personalized diet and holistic program suggestions, all custom-tailored to your pet's personal needs. While For Pet Health continues to provide and even add educational articles on the website, these are just general in nature. We therefore encourage you to tailor a program specifically for your pet's needs. This is particularly imperative in pets with complicated health issues, or if you have done outside reading and have conflicting information.
IMPORTANT! The recommendations in this article are general suggestions for treating your pet naturally. It is important to look at each pet individually and determine what works best for YOUR pet.
Contact For Pet Health today and get your loved one on the path to good health.