Q: My girl dog licks her vaginal area and I have brought her to the vet and
he said to just wipe with baby wipes....is there anything else I can
do? She scratches and itches a lot and I am using a good brand of dog
food--Nutromax. Anne in Ohio
A: Female dogs can be licking their vaginal area frequently due to pain, itching or discomfort. This could be due to a yeast overgrowth, allergies or urinary tract infection. Be sure that you get a urine analysis done to rule out a urinary tract infection. Try switching dog food and using a high moisture, grain-free, hypoallergenic diet such as Instinct raw and canned rabbit. Nutromax contains grains, beef and poultry and overall, dry food is not nearly as nutritious as canned, raw or homemade dog food.
Here is a list of ingredients for the Nutro Mini Chunks Chicken and Rice Formula:
Chicken Meal, Ground Whole Wheat, Wheat Flour, Ground Rice, Rice Bran, Chicken Fat (preserved with mixed Tocopherols), Corn Gluten Meal, Dried Plain Beet Pulp, Natural Flavors, Potassium Chloride, Salt, Choline Chloride, Taurine, Zinc Sulfate, Vitamin E Supplement, Ferrous Sulfate, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (source of Vitamin C), L-Carnitine, Potassium Iodide, Copper Sulfate, Niacin Supplement, Calcium Pantothenate, Biotin, Manganous Oxide, Thiamine Mononitrate (source of Vitamin B1), Vitamin A Supplement, Sodium Selenite, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (source of Vitamin B6), Riboflavin Supplement (source of Vitamin B2), Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Folic Acid.
There are quite a few ingredients that can contribute to yeast overgrowth and allergic response in your dog. The grains: wheat, rice and corn are definite culprits. The poultry could also be a problem if your dog has allergies. Diets that are high in carbohydrates also contribute to yeast overgrowth. Instead look for brands that are higher in protein and don't contain grains.
Finally, using a few supplements would definitely help relieve your dog's symptoms.
K9 Yeast Defense Package This package relieves symptoms of yeast overgrowth and also enhances your pet's immunity. Very helpful for pets with ear infections, scratching and itching and genital licking.
Power Probiotic--superior manufacturing ensures that the friendly bacteria will survive the stomach acid and are third party tested to ensure that the product contains the ingredients promised. This product is widely used by thousands of cats and dogs with excellent results. Useful for overall health,digestive support--especially in puppies and kittens as well as for fighting yeast and infections. Anytime a pet has taken antibiotics or steroids, it is important to replenish the good bacteria using this probiotic.
