Smelly, Scaly Skin That Returns After Antibiotics
by Lori
(TN)
Reader Question
our one year old long hair daschaund started lossing her hair and had scaly skin the vet put her on antibiotics and a special shampoo....it seemed to work for a few days but now the smell has returned and so has the scaly skin...I have been a nurse for 28 years and hate to keep giving her the antibiotics for fear of resistance and know that some antibitics promote yeast growth......ANY SUGGESTIONS?
Answer from Our Team
A smell and scaling that return after a short improvement often mean yeast (Malassezia) is involved, alongside or instead of bacteria, and that an underlying cause such as allergy hasn't been treated. Your concern about repeated antibiotics is well founded.
Ask your vet for skin cytology (a tape or swab test) to see what's actually growing. If yeast is present, a twice-weekly 2% miconazole and 2% chlorhexidine shampoo has the best evidence. In a young dog, also ask about mites and allergies.
See yeast infections on dogs' skin.
This is general information, not a diagnosis. Please follow your own vet's advice.
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