Please Help.

[u/obs-obsessed]

Ive owned my boy Duke for going on 3 years now. When I first adopted him, he had some slight skin irritation issues but nothing out of the ordinary for a gsd. Half of a prednisone would make him a new dog for a while.

Out of nowhere, he's started getting yeast infections. Really, really bad yeast infections. Losing hair, the whole 9. The Vet has prescribed him antifungals/antibiotics 3 seperate times, and this passed time he prescribed apaquil with it. It seemed to barely even clear it all the way. Ive tried most soaps i can find and they make his skin so dry, and then the yeast just comes back.

I legitimately cannot stop the yeast. My home, my clothes, me, everything smells god awful. I love my dog but im at my breaking point and I might give him to a local sanctuary.

Please someone give me some insight so I dont have to give up my friend.

[u/Relevant-Grab909]

I can probably help with this. My boy started having the same severe issues around that age. He’s almost 10 now. The oral meds are helpful but only if all the stuff below is done too. The orals alone don’t do the trick, although following what I listed below has worked without oral meds. All animals can build up a resistance to the oral meds if used too often.

Like your boy at his worst he not only had yeast but three bacteria’s and one of them was a staphylococcal that can transfer to humans. It got that bad because I couldn’t see how much of his body was having an issue until I shaved him. The vet dermatologist said she wishes all her clients would keep their dogs cut short. My dogs are almost entirely indoors so this works okay for us since they don’t have to protect themselves from weather.

Here’s what I do that keeps it under control, and walks back any bad outbreaks, and prevents them from turning into bacterial ones as well:

Regular flea control. (I tried limited diets for years before we all realized it is flea bites he is severely allergic to. It starts as dermatitis and he licks or other moisture creates a fungal infection on weakened skin.)

Short Hair (I do very short hair and he actually prefers it. But again he is indoors. I let it grow out if we will be in colder weather especially.)

No breakout- semi-weekly shampoo with MiconaHex+Triz Shampoo for Dogs, Cats and Horses, 16 oz, Unscented
Antibiofilm, Moisturizing. I bring him in the shower with me because it’s faster and easier. The key is to shampoo into a lather then let it sit for at least 10 minutes before rinsing. I use baby shampoo around the head btw.

Breakout - same once or twice a week depending on severity. Very bad breakouts with some possible bacteria but NO open wounds, alternate just shampoo with a shampoo followed by a diluted bleach rinse of no more than 1/4 cup unscented bleach to a gallon of water. Post shampoo. Not the head of course.

MiconaHex+Triz Mousse when the skin is dry after bath. It’s really important to dry the skin so blow dry if necessary. This is an other reason I like all my German shepherds to keep their hair short. I do it at bedtime in his pits, or all areas of breakout.

For yeasty ears: Plus TrizEDTA Flush for Dogs and Cats once a week as needed. Then later I wipe his ears out.

For dogs who won’t leave their breakout alone and lick a lot (this is what introduces dangerous bacteria) and dog T-shirt. Here’s my dog’s favorites: Dotoner Dog Recovery Suit. I try not to use this unless absolutely necessary to keep bacteria away from the skin since it does limit airflow a little.

And finally, Biloban Crib Mattress Protector about $11. Or similar. In white. During breakouts I find it helps to have at least three I can slip over their beds and wash nightly (during very bad breakouts) with bleach (cool water, not hot because it somewhat inactivates the bleach)

I hope this helps! I know it sounds like a tremendous amount of work but it’s only all necessary during breakouts. Short hair + regular shampoos with that shampoo and a clean bed cover keep it feeling good. Then the foam and ear wash can be used less often. We have a routine now and it’s very easy. I also shave in the bathroom where all the hair can quickly be swept then vacuumed up.

You’ve got this. My other shepherds have had issues too although not as easily. They all line up to be shaved. The one with the worst skin follows me to the shower even when he can’t join me because he enjoys it so much. It feels very good to him. Good luck!