Dog Health by LowchensAustralia.com

Candida is a formidable enemy, she explains, because its cells manufacture toxic chemicals that kill beneficial bacteria and harm the body. Candida's waste products include toxic alcohols, acetone, and the nerve poison hydrogen sulfide, all of which slow the brain, contribute to fatigue, and disrupt the immune system. 

Candida symptoms are often misdiagnosed as allergies, says Arndt, manifesting as rashes or skin outbreaks on the feet, face, underarm, underbelly, or genital areas. Recurring hot spots or infections of the ears, eyes, bladder, or urinary tract can be caused by Candida overgrowth. 

“These conditions can be accompanied by a secondary infection, which is what gets treated,’ she says, “but the underlying cause is rarely addressed by conventional medicine. In addition to fatigue, lethargy, immobility, joint pain, and discomfort, all of which can be caused by yeast toxins, the infected patient may experience severe itching, which leads to endless biting, chewing, and hair loss. The dog's skin can turn black, become dry and flaky, or develop a greasy grit on the surface, and wherever Candida takes over, a bad yeasty smell can develop.’ 

Treatment with antibiotics, steroids, and other conventional drugs may bring temporary relief, but the patient soon returns with another flare-up, and symptoms progress until the veterinarian suggests allergy testing. 

“The results tell you the dog is allergic to everything from dust mites to tuna and lima beans,’ says Arndt. “But that's not where the problem lies. Many so-called allergy cases are nothing more than misdiagnosed systemic yeast infections from Candida overgrowth.’ 

According to holistic physician Bruce Fife, ND, the Candida organism is especially insidious because it changes form. “If left unchallenged", he says, "candida converts from a single-celled form into a multi-celled or mycelial fungal form with hairy, root-like projections called rhizoids. These rhizoids penetrate the intestinal wall, which affects the intestines´ ability to absorb vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and fatty acids, leading to nutritional deficiencies and leaky gut syndrome".

Bee´s Note: The leaky gut syndrome is a theory, and it is not true - see: Leaky Gut Theory Cannot Be True and related articles on allergies, the antibody theory, etc.

Even without an overgrowth of Candida albicans, a disruption of the body's supply of beneficial bacteria poses problems. As described in “Probing Probiotics" (Whole Dog Journal August 2006), beneficial bacteria form a first line of defence against pathogens; help prevent antibiotic-associated diarrhoea, traveller's diarrhoea, and leaky gut syndrome; improve lactose tolerance; produce vitamins and enzymes; decrease toxins and mutagenic reactions; improve carbohydrate and protein usage; strengthen innate immunity; create a protective barrier effect in the intestinal tract; and help reduce food sensitivities and skin disorders. 

It's definitely worth helping your dog become a poor host for Candida albicans and, instead, become a nurturing host for beneficial bacteria. Natural remedies for candidiasis.

In conventional medicine, antifungal medications clear up chronic yeast infections, fungal infections, and related symptoms. But many antifungal drugs have potentially serious side effects and they produce only temporary results. As soon as the prescription ends, surviving Candida cells multiply, recolonise, and trigger a return of symptoms. 

Alternative therapies, such as medicinal herbs and diet, have fewer side effects and help correct the problems underlying causes. It's important, says Arndt, to work with a holistic veterinarian and avoid vaccinations, steroid drugs, and other conventional treatments that can disrupt the immune system. Because many (if not most) cases of canine candidiasis coincide with hypothyroidism, the patients thyroid levels should be checked. 

“Probiotics are popular treatments for Candida infections, but proper timing is important,’ she says. “Feeding large amounts of acidophilus and other probiotics doesn't help a dog whose system is overwhelmed by Candida. In fact, this kind of supplementation can make things worse. The first step in effectively treating Candida is reducing its population. Two weeks after that, beneficial bacteria can be effectively added to the system.’ 

For human patients, menu plans such as the Atkins diet (see Bee's Candida Program), which is high in protein and fat and very low in carbohydrates, are recommended because they starve yeast cells without harming beneficial bacteria. 

Wild wolves are unlikely to suffer from Candida overgrowths because, as Dr David Mech explained in “What Wolves Eat" (Whole Dog Journal, March 2005) wolves in the wild consume little or no sugars, grains, starches, fruits, or other carbohydrates and very little vegetable matter. Their diet consists almost entirely of the meat, organs, blood, skin, and bones of prey animals. 

Switching a Candida-infected dog from grain-based kibble to a grain-free, starch-free, low-carbohydrate diet is an easy way to reduce a dog's population of Candida albicans. 

COCONUT OIL TREATMENT 
One effective anti-Candida ingredient that can be added to a dog's food, whether commercial or home-prepared, is coconut oil (see “Crazy About Coconut Oil", October 2005). According to Dr. Fife, author of Coconut Cures and a leading expert on coconuts health benefits, the fatty acids in coconut oil kill Candida and other damaging organisms without harming friendly bacteria. “Coconut oils fatty acids are absorbed into the cells, which use them as fuel to power the metabolism", he says. “When applied topically on the skin, coconut oil promotes the healing of damaged tissue. In the same way, it speeds the healing of perforations in the intestinal wall. Coconut oil can help any dog re-establish and maintain a healthy intestinal environment".

Caprylic acid, a nutritional supplement derived from coconut oil, kills Candida cells. “Caprylic acid is sold specifically for this condition", says Dr. Fife, “but it's less expensive and just as effective to use the coconut oil it's derived from. That way you ingest not only caprylic acid but lauric acid, which has also been shown to kill Candida cells, along with other essential fatty acids that improve intestinal health". 

The recommended dose is at least 1 teaspoon coconut oil per 10 pounds of body weight, or 1 tablespoon per 30 pounds. Dogs with candidiasis may need more, especially in the early stages of treatment. For best results, feed in divided doses, provide extra fluids and drinking water to help flush toxins from the body, and start with small amounts and build up gradually so the body has time to adjust. The side effects of too much coconut oil too soon can include greasy stools or diarrhoea, fatigue, mental exhaustion, and body aches.

DEALING WITH DIE-OFF SYMPTOMS 
Flu-like symptoms such as exhaustion, body aches, diarrhoea, and nausea are caused by die-off, also known as the Herxheimer reaction. When large numbers of viruses, bacteria, parasites, yeasts, or fungi die, their physical remains and the toxins they produce overwhelm the body, and it takes days, weeks, and in some cases, months for the organs of elimination to catch up, during which symptoms such as itching or skin breakouts may increase. For more information see die-off or healing reactions. 

Systemic enzyme supplements such as Wobenzym (discussed in “Accelerated Wound Healing", August 2006) are especially helpful during detoxification. Taken between meals, systemic enzymes circulate in the blood, breaking down inflammation and digesting dead Candida cells. Wobenzym contains pancreatin, bromelain, and other digestive enzymes in enteric-coated tablets that survive stomach acid and break apart in the small intestine. 

Other enzyme products like Prozyme, which contains amylase, lipase, cellulase, and protease, are taken with meals to improve the assimilation of nutrients and to compensate for the lack of live enzymes in processed food. Double the recommended dose for dogs age eight or older or for dogs switching from a high-carb food. 

HERBS AND SUPPLEMENTS 
Several medicinal plants are used in Candida therapy. When natural substances are used Candida does not mutate nor become resistant. Only drugs, which are toxic, cause pathogens to mutate. It is recommend that only one good antifungal be used at a time.

Any anti-Candida supplement designed for humans can be adjusted for canine use according to the dog's weight. Divide the human label dose by 2 for dogs weighing 50-70 pounds; divide label dose by 4 for dogs weighing 25-35 pounds. 

The following and similar supplements are an essential first step in a Candida control program. 

Black walnut hulls, especially those harvested in early fall when the hulls are still green, repel parasites, improve skin conditions, and fight fungal and bacterial infections. Look for “green’ black walnut hull extracts and tinctures. 

Coconut Oil (antifungal) - with antifungal, antibacterial, anti-yeast, and antiviral properties, coconut oil is an excellent carrier in which to dilute essential oils. It can also be applied by itself to ringworm and other fungal breakouts. Store in a small dropper bottle for convenient application. In cold weather, melt the coconut oil by placing the bottle in hot water.

Garlic (antifungal) - strengthens immunity by aiding white blood cells, and it has shown significant antifungal activity against Candida albicans in animal and test tube studies. But in large amounts, garlic may cause haemolytic or Heinz factor anaemia in dogs. Daily doses of up to 1 small garlic clove per 20 pounds of body weight are considered safe, as are garlic extracts given according to label directions adjusted for the dog's size. For best results, alternate garlic with other antifungal herbs. Although onions are a highly regarded prebiotic (a food that feeds beneficial bacteria), onions are not recommended for dogs in any quantity because of their high haemolytic anaemia risk. 

Pau d'arco (antifungal), also known as lapacho or taheebo, is an Amazon rainforest tree with astringent, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antifungal properties. Pau d'arco teas and extracts help treat systemic, chronic, or recurrent candidiasis, and related disorders. 

As explained in Whole Dog Journals aromatherapy series ("Smell This, You'll Feel Better", December 2004; "Essential Information", January 2005; and "Canines in a Mist", April 2005), therapeutic-quality essential oils and hydrosols can be diluted for safe, effective canine use. 

Wild Oil of Oregano (antifungal) has become a popular treatment for candidiasis at human doses of 1 drop once or twice per day, building up to a dose of 1 drop 4 times per day, which is considered safe for long-term use. 

Dogs dislike the taste and smell of oregano oil. For canine treatment, dilute fullength oregano oil with olive oil [or coconut oil], then place a drop of the diluted oil in an empty 2-part gelatin capsule, which can be hidden in food. For dogs weighing 50-70 pounds, dilute ½ teaspoon oregano essential oil with ½ teaspoon olive oil; for dogs weighing 25-35 pounds, use 1 teaspoon olive oil; and for smaller dogs, use 1½ to 2 teaspoons olive oil. Start with 1 drop of the diluted oil per day and gradually build up to 1 drop 4 times per day. 

Tea Tree Oil for Topical Treatment - Tea tree oil or hydrosol, the water produced during steam distillation of tea tree essential oil, is a safe, effective topical treatment for ear infections, hot spots, skin breakouts, and other Candida symptoms. 

PROBIOTICS 
After two weeks of improved diet and treatment with antifungal herbs and supplements, your dog's system should be ready to support beneficial bacteria. 

A few native bacteria survive even lengthy antibiotic treatment, so the odds are that your dog has a small population of beneficial bacteria that could recolonise her system if properly fed with “prebiotics.’ 

The best prebiotics for the dogs beneficial bacteria are lacto-fermented vegetables (see "It's All in How You Make It", March 2001).

Do not feed whey or other dairy products to dogs, except for butter.

Acidophilus is a familiar probiotic, but there are dozens to choose from. Look for live-culture products in health food or pet supply stores, and give frequent doses to help flood the system with beneficial bacteria. Help the bacteria reproduce by combining them with prebiotics, a low-carbohydrate diet, and enzymes.

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