If your dog has a fungal infection, (Trusted Source) it’s understandable that you want to treat it fast. Antifungal creams seem like a quick fix and were once a standard treatment, but vets have since found different, more effective ways to nix these pesky infections in dogs.
Antifungal creams are meant to be applied topically to the affected area of a dog’s skin but are only helpful if there is one small skin lesion on a dog’s body. Some ear infections can be caused by yeast, in which case your vet will prescribe medication to apply within the ears.
These creams claim to soothe and heal the infection. The problem is that most ringworm and yeast infections cover multiple areas of a dog’s body. It’s practically impossible to use an antifungal cream to cover every area affected by the infection. Dogs may also lick the cream off.
If your vet does recommend an antifungal cream for your dog’s specific situation, here are some commonly prescribed options —
Our expert vet, Dr. Dwight Alleyne, recommends using miconazole ointment for dogs with ringworm infections that have only one skin lesion. Antifungal ointment (Trusted Source) for dogs costs around $10 but is not worth the purchase if multiple skin lesions are present.
👉 Check with your vet before you treat your dog at home. Many skin lesions look similar but are caused by different types of infections. Don’t treat your pet at home without knowing the cause of the skin lesions first. Only your vet will know for sure with diagnostic skin tests.
Fungal skin infections are common and can be uncomfortable for dogs. There are a few common triggers: skin mites, ringworm, or an overgrowth of yeast (Malassezia) on dogs with environmental or food allergies.
A vet should diagnose a pet’s fungal skin infection before you put any over-the-counter treatment in your shopping cart.
Fungal skin infections in dogs can be serious and, if left untreated, can lead to hair loss, skin lesions all over the body, and a poor quality of life as these infections are extremely itchy and uncomfortable.
⚠️ You should also alert your pet’s doctor if you notice any adverse reactions to a treatment, including increased skin irritation or redness, hair loss, or bleeding.
Many vets may prescribe pet-specific antifungal shampoos and oral antifungal medications to effectively treat a fungal infection. Oral antifungal medication can cost around $15-$50 for a month of medication, depending upon your dog’s size, and where you live. Your vet may recommend bloodwork before or during the use of certain medications. A bottle of medicated shampoo can cost $20-$25 or more. It usually takes several weeks to treat a fungal skin infection caused by either yeast or ringworm.
👉 Never use human medications or products on your pets without vet approval. If you use anything that leads to an adverse reaction in your dog, stop using the product immediately and consult your vet.
You and your vet may choose different treatment methods depending on the severity of the infection as well as personal preferences:
Use of a topical antifungal cream, such as miconazole cream, is safe in small portions when applied to a single skin lesion. However, never use a topical medication without consulting your local veterinarian first. Antifungal creams are not considered effective because fungal infections typically affect multiple areas of a pet’s body. The bottom line is antifungal creams are considered inefficient nowadays.
Treatment for dogs dealing with a nasal fungal infection can vary depending on the disease progression. In severe cases, keyhole surgery may be done to remove fungal debris prior to treatment. In other cases, oral medication may be the first-line treatment offered.
Avoiding moisture is crucial if you have a pup who is prone to yeast infections. Try to keep your dog indoors during rainy times or during extreme heat, which can promote sweating and excess moisture buildup. Stay on top of baths and ear cleaning, and feed them a vet-approved balanced diet. Preventative and dietary management is key.
This type of progression happens when the fungi spread to other places in your dog’s body. This can look different for every dog, as infection can spread to the eyes, nose, mouth, lymph nodes, lungs, and ears (to name a few possible places).
While any dog can contract a fungal infection (Trusted Source) in or on their nose(s), many experts believe that rottweilers are especially at risk for aspergillosis due to genetic predisposition.
While this depends on the amount ingested and your dog’s overall health, symptoms can range from gastrointestinal upset and ulcers in the digestive system to acute kidney injury. It’s important to ensure that your dog doesn’t ingest antifungal cream — it’s also important to keep it away from cats as well, as they are more sensitive.
