Malassezia Dermatitis in Dogs and Cats - An Overview

Malassezia is a yeast that is normally found in low numbers in the external ear canals, in perioral areas, in perianal regions, and in moist skin folds. In dogs, Malassezia overgrowth is almost always associated with an underlying cause, such as atopy, food allergy, endocrinopathy, keratinization disorder, metabolic disease or prolong therapy with corticosteroids. In cats, skin disease is caused by Malassezia overgrowth that may occur secondary to an underlying disease (e.g., feline immunodeficiency virus, diabetes mellitus or an internal malignancy. Malasseziasis is common in dogs, especially among West Highland White terriers, Dachshunds, English setters, Basset hounds, American cocker spaniels. Shih tzus, Springer spaniels and German shepherds. These breeds may be predisposed as explained by Dr. Sapna Soni (CEO of Pet Prime Veterinary clinic, the