Could my dog's dry, flaky skin on her tummy and vulva be yeast?

Skin problems in dogs are usually related to allergies. They can get secondary bacterial and yeast infections. Unfortunately there is no way to know if Minnie has a yeast infection just by looking at the a picture. I would recommend taking her to a veterinarian where they can do a thorough exam and skin cytology. They place a slide against the irritated skin and then stain the slide and examine under a microscope. They can then give medication based on it is bacterial or yeast. If the primary areas are the armpits and the belly- I suspect that Minnie is allergic to something in the air which has caused a secondary infection. One thing to remember with allergies is that there is not one magic treatment . Do not get frustrated when the first treatment doesn't' work, each dog is different. Allergies can be controlled, but not cured. Thank you for reaching out to Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This looks like it could be the result of a skin infection. You can try to use a medicated shampoo containing chlorhexidine twice weekly for 2 weeks. You may find that online or at your local pet store. If there is no improvement or in the meantime this appears to be getting worse, have him evaluated by a veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. Good luck and have a good night!

I cannot give you a diagnosis over the internet just based on what you have described. She could have a yeast infection of the skin. Sometimes these things need a long course of oral antifungals to clear up along with the topical shampoo. That being said, she could have an autoimmune problem, underlying allergies, a uterine infection (if she is not spayed) or any number of other things. It is recommended you get her to a vet for an examination so you she can get a diagnosis and the proper treatment.

That does not look like a typical yeast infection, but your vet can do some simple skin tests to tell you for sure. Unfortunately, sometimes dogs have allergies that result in itching without any secondary infection and the only thing that helps are medication for the itching. There are some over the counter medications like Benadryl (https://www.petcoach.co/canigive/dog/benadryl/) that you can try, but the prescription medications work much better. I would recommend having your vet examine Chelsea, decide if she has a secondary yeast infection that needs treatment (which could be topical or oral medication), then decide on a treatment plan for her itching. I hope that was helpful. Thanks for using PetCoach.

These red/flakey patches often occur due to a bacterial or fungal infection. It's also possible that this is due to ringworm (a fungal infection). It's best to get it diagnosed by a veterinarian, because ringworm can spread to different parts of the body and can spread to people. Also, the more involved the infection, the longer it will take to clear. For now, I recommend washing your hands anytime you touch Lucky. I recommend cleaning his belly with a medicated wipe or shampoo (can get this at the pet store) once a day until the skin appears normal. If it seems to get worse, or not better within a week, then you'll want to take Lucky into the vet for an exam. Below is a link to an article with more information about skin infections in dogs. https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/pyoderma-in-dogs I hope that helps and all is well with Lucky.

Hello. This is a very mild irritation, so if it is not bothering Pepper, it is best to leave things along. Using an inappropriate medicine, even an over the counter topical, can irritate things further. If it does seem to bother her, do ask you veterinarian to examine the skin & see if any treatment is appropriate. Thanks for contacting Pet/Coach.

That sign could be related to a superficial skin infection (bacterial or yeast). Usually a medicated antibacterial shampoo preparation is enough to sort out the problem. Malaseb shampoo could be a good option in her case. I would recommend to have it prescribed from your local veterinarian, following a check up to confirm clinical suspicion. Please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further.