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SHEET Malassezia dermatitis in dogs
Health info sheet

The dermatitis at malassezia in the dog

The malassezia are microscopic yeasts that are found naturally in small amounts on the skin and in the ear canals of dogs. They are likely to cause dermatological problems by multiplying on the surface of the skin. Some dogs may develop hypersensitivity to these malassezia, leading to sometimes severe cutaneous signs. Finally, dermatitis malassezia often comes as a complication of other dermatological disorders: allergic dermatitis, anomalies of keratogenesis, recurrent pyoderma, hormonal disorders.
Some canine breeds are predisposed to malassezia dermatitis: West Highland White Terrier, Basset Hound, American Cocker Spaniel, Shih-Tzu, Cavalier King Charles…

Itching is common and affected dogs often have a marked bad odor (rancid butter).

Lesions can be localized or generalized. The areas of the body preferentially affected are the face, the lips, the auditory canals, the ventral face of the neck, the armpits, the interdigital spaces, the skin folds in general, the sub-caudal area.

The skin is red, scaly with a greasy appearance of hair. The chronic forms evolve towards black, wrinkled, thickened skin, we speak of "elephant skin".
The diagnosis is made by highlighting the yeasts under the microscope. The difficulty of definitive diagnosis lies in the identification of predisposing factors or associated disease responsible for the proliferation of malassezia.

The treatment involves applying topical products to the skin (shampoos, sprays, lotions, foams) often preceded by mowing if necessary.

The use of antifungal tablets is often associated with local treatment.

Finally, it is essential to treat the underlying pathology to avoid relapses, which can be frequent.
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