Hi Deborah, My dog has a fungal infection, and I the vet said I have to wash him twice a week with special soap to get rid of it. I was wondering if it’s possible for him to pass on his yeast infection to me?
We know that you can get a yeast infection from your dog. A lot of sources claim that you can’t catch a yeast infection from your dog. While most viral and bacterial conditions are breed specific, I’d be hesitant to answer NO regarding fungal yeast infections. It’s very possible you can catch one, but only if you’re not careful about treating your dog or taking care of your own hygiene.
The Candida albicans yeast organism lives naturally in the human body, kept in balance by good bacterial flora. The same conditions exist within your dog’s body, with the organism living within the intestines, mouth, ears, nose, and even genitals. If you do not have a good balance of flora, it’s recommended you check out probiotics like probacto’s.
Animals who have some sort of immune issue, whether in the form of another existing infection or a generally depressed immune system, are likely to develop yeast infections. Just as in humans, these can affect your dog either in an acute and local sense or as a chronic, systemic infection of the body.
Common manifestations of yeast infections in dogs include oral infections, in which you’ll notice drooling; fungal skin infections, where you’ll notice lesions; cystitis, or ailments that look like bladder infections; and ear infections. Dogs with diabetes can easily develop Candida infections, as can dogs that regularly have other types of bacterial or viral infection.
So can you catch a yeast infection from your dog? It’s possible. You share a common organism in the Candida albicans yeast. If you were to touch your dog’s infection – for example, while cleaning his ear or his skin – and then touch your own face or eyes or generally forget to wash your hands – you could potentially transfer extra Candida to your own body. If you’re already immune compromised, this could create or worsen your own condition; though if you’re a healthy person it’s highly unlikely this small amount of contact would cause you to develop an infection of your own. Please look at this checklist and follow these steps to maintain better health.
Make sure you use gloves and wash your hands properly after treating your dog. Better safe than sorry!
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I just got off a year on antibiotics and within two weeks my complexion turned into a nightmare of small bumps all over my forehead along jawline and behind ears. I than started taking “Pearls” probiotics and though it is better than 6 weeks ago I am still having bad breakouts behind my ears and around my jawline. My forehead is a lot better because it was the worst area. I just started applying a tea tree oil moisturizer on my face and I think that is helping. My dog in on prednisone everyday and is having fungus skin issues also. Not sure if we are passing this fungus back and forth or the candida (if that is what it is) has a overgrowth in my body from the antibiotics. Any suggestions? I have a doc appointment with my reg physician next week about this.
I’m thinking that the itchy rash between my toes on my left foot I caught from my shepherd that has a very bad yeast infection all over his body! He as laid down on our carpeting and oozy white/yellowish mess I stepped into. I was so angry because I would find him up on my bed or on the sofa. Now we keep him in the bathroom! I think this is contagious!