Home › Animalia › Animal health › Animal diseases › Malassezia dermatitis

fungal disease Dog

Malassezia dermatitis

Malassezia is a yeast that normally lives in small quantities on the skin and in the ears of dogs. She poses no problem as long as she remains discreet. When the skin becomes oily, damp or inflamed, this yeast multiplies and causes a very i...

Find a veterinarian All dog diseases

Definition Signs Causes Diagnosis Treatment Prevention Complications When to see a vet Prognosis FAQ Sources Affected species

What is it?

Malassezia is a yeast that normally lives in small quantities on the skin and in the ears of dogs. She poses no problem as long as she remains discreet.

When the skin becomes oily, damp or inflamed, this yeast multiplies and causes a very itchy inflammation with a characteristic odor.

Like bacterial pyoderma, Malassezia dermatitis is almost always a signal of an underlying problem: allergy, skin folds, humidity, hormonal disease.

Commonly observed signs

These signs are neither exhaustive nor specific. Only a veterinarian can establish a diagnosis.

Related signs — each one links to its page:

Itching Hair loss Scabs and skin lesions Dull coat

Often intense itching, with licking and rubbing.

Strong and recognizable odor, a little sweet and rancid, which often alerts the family before the lesions.

Red skin, oily to the touch, which thickens and darkens if the inflammation lasts.

Dandruff, dull and sticky hair.

Preferred locations: spaces between the fingers, under the legs, folds of the face and lips, armpits, groins, neck, around the anus, ear canal.

Licked paws take on a reddish-brown tint on the light hairs.

An associated otitis is very common, with brown and greasy earwax.

When to consult without delay

This list does not replace veterinary advice. It gathers situations that justify a prompt consultation.

Causes and risk factors

Excessive multiplication of the Malassezia yeast, favored by a change in skin conditions.

The usual triggering factors are allergy (atopy, food allergy), oily skin, humidity, wrinkles, heat.

Hormonal diseases and treatments that reduce immune defenses also promote its proliferation.

A bacterial infection is often associated: the two reinforce each other.

Allergic dogs, particularly atopic ones.

Breeds with oily skin or marked folds: West Highland white terrier, cocker spaniel, basset hound, shar-pei, dachshund, bulldogs.

Drooping ears and poorly ventilated ear canals.

Hot and humid climate, frequent bathing, poorly dried coat.

Prolonged treatments reducing immunity.

Diagnosis and care

Diagnosis is the veterinarian's responsibility, based on clinical examination and laboratory tests. Care is decided case by case.

The veterinarian often recognizes the picture by the smell and appearance of the skin, but confirms with a sample.

A skin layer or an ear swab observed under a microscope highlights the yeasts, whose shape is very recognizable.

The same examination looks for associated bacteria, which are common.

The search for the underlying cause is part of the assessment: dietary testing, allergy screening, hormonal assessment depending on the context.

Treatment

Local antifungal treatments: shampoos, foams or prescribed solutions, applied at a precise pace and left in contact for the indicated time.

In extensive or stubborn forms, a general antifungal is prescribed, with appropriate monitoring.

Affected ears are treated with a prescribed ear product, after examining the canal.

Associated bacteria are treated in parallel if they are present.

Again, the underlying cause must be addressed or the yeast will return.

Do not apply human antifungal products to your dog, or put anything in an ear without veterinary advice.

Treatment depends on the cause and the animal's condition: it must be determined by a veterinarian. No self-medication.

Prevention

Dry the dog carefully after each bath or swim, insisting between the fingers and in the folds.

Maintain the skin folds of predisposed breeds with a product recommended by the veterinarian.

Control the underlying allergy when it exists: this is the most determining factor.

Monitor the ears of dogs with floppy ears, without ever instilling any product on your own initiative.

Maintenance shampoos may be prescribed to prevent relapses in dogs with oily skin.

Possible complications

Permanently thickened and dark skin when inflammation persists.

Chronic ear infections, which can eventually affect the middle ear.

Associated bacterial superinfections.

Regular recurrences as long as the underlying cause is not treated.

When to see a veterinarian

Your dog's skin or ears emit a strong, unusual odor.

He licks his paws or rubs himself constantly.

His skin is red, oily, thickened, or covered with dandruff.

He shakes his head or scratches his ears.

The signs return after each treatment stoppage: the underlying cause must be sought.

Prognosis

Good: antifungal treatments are effective and improvement is often rapid and spectacular.

Relapses are common if the situation is not corrected, hence the importance of identifying the allergy or humidity factor in question.

In predisposed dogs, regular maintenance helps keep the skin in balance.

Frequently asked questions

Is it contagious to other animals or to me?

No. This yeast is already present on the dog's skin: the disease comes from its excessive multiplication, not from contamination. There is no fear of transmission in an ordinary household.

Where does this particular smell come from?

It is produced by the yeast itself when it proliferates. This is a very useful sign: many families notice the smell before they even see the skin change.

Why does my dog lick his paws so much?

The spaces between the fingers are warm and moist: this is the ideal place for this yeast. Licking maintains humidity and therefore proliferation, which creates a vicious circle.

Is shampoo enough?

Often yes in limited forms, but only with a prescribed product, at the right frequency and with a respected application time. Shampoo rinsed out immediately has virtually no effect.