Diflucan or Fluconazole is used to treat yeast infections. This anti-fungal medication is administered orally and should only be given to your dog under strict instructions from a trusted vet. Keep reading to get more detail about giving your dog Diflucan or possibly something else for what’s ailing them.
Diflucan is used for all types of yeast infections including central nervous infections, ringworm and urinary infections. You will probably need to administer it twice per day following your vet’s exact directions. It may take some time for results to be seen.
There are a few side effects and warnings associated with this medication. In fact, certain dogs cannot take it. All this means that administering it to your K9 without your vet’s prior approval is very dangerous. Read up as much as possible!
Can I Give My Dog Diflucan? Answer: Yes, as prescribed by a vet
We all want our dogs to be of optimum health and can’t bear to see our dogs sick or suffering. Often this can lead to us running to the pharmacy trying to find medication to make them better. Remember that a dogs’ digestive system works differently from humans and in many cases human medication is potentially fatal to our fluffy friends. Diflucan is no exception.
Controlling infections using Diflucan can be done but only under the direction of your veterinarian. Your vet will know whether your dog is healthy enough to handle this powerful anti-fungal medication. Getting the proper dosage correct, based on weight, age, breed, etc. is also something vets can do better than most of us.
What Dogs Can’t Take Diflucan
Diflucan cannot be administered to just any dog. For some dogs this medication can be fatal. Canines with kidney problems, liver disease or those pregnant or nursing dogs must not take this strong medication under any circumstances. In such a case, your vet will prescribe something else to control the fungal infection that will minimize negative effects.
If you are unsure whether your dog is suffering with any of these diseases, that is all the more reason to schedule a routine visit. Be sure to get briefed on your dog’s full medical history so a well thought out decision and the best course of action can be taken.
Side Effects of Diflucan
Some dogs can suffer from side effects when taking this medication. Others just can’t handle the dosage and still others will overdose. Watch out for a decreased appetite, skin rash and vomiting. Diflucan in dogs is also known to cause kidney failure if the wrong dosage is administered. This is serious stuff!
If you notice any of these side effects contact your vet immediately. They will likely tell you to stop the medication and monitor your dog’s progress. Depending on how bad it is, a request to bring your dog in immediately for testing may be in order.
Closely monitoring a dog that has developed side effects is important. Only you will notice if they are improving, staying the same or getting worse.
More About Diflucan & Dogs
When Diflucan is recommended by your vet, you need to keep to a strict schedule and carefully follow their directions. Often you will need to administer this medication twice a day. Set the dosage times for the same time every day for maximum impact.
If for any reason you forget a dosage, give it to them as soon as possible. This medication doesn’t need to be given with food, which means you can give it to your dog any time of the day that best suits you. Just be consistent.
Don’t expect immediate improvements. Dogs on this medication may need to take it for long periods to be effective. Usually you will notice improvements after two weeks of constant medication.
To Give Diflucan to Your Dog or Not
Diflucan may be a good choice for clearing up a yeast infection in a dog. Sometimes, though, its use is inappropriate and may not be the solution. Your vet may suggest a completely different medication to clear up your K9′s infection.
With so many dangers and side effects, this medication is sometimes the last resort used by vets. While your dog is taking the medication you will be asked to monitor their behavior and progress to ensure that the medication is working as intended. Your dog shouldn’t suffer from any potentially harmful side effects if they can be avoided.
Maureen is studying for her Vet Tech Degree & is the primary author of
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
We have got to do something and Diflucan is our last ditch effort. Our vet has given Prednisone and K-flex for 4 years now without any other explanation. She is a German Shepherd and her ears are constantly a problem. They are sour and we have to clean her ears daily.
I know the Prednisone probably made the yeast infection worse. I’m not a vet but I’ve studied enough animal science to know better than that when a dog has a yeast infection. We will administer this very carefully and a low dose a first to see how she does. Then increase this dose until we see improvement.
I’m so sick of vets taking our money and knowing we will be bringing her back. This dog does not have allergies…she has all the symptoms of a yeast infection. Somebody give me an office and a degree.
My German Shepherd is in the same boat and I can’t stand to hear her cry anymore. I have some leftover Diflucan pills from being on antibiotics. I have to do something for my dog! She is miserable! Did the Diflucan work on your pup?
Atopica or generic Cyclosporine works wonder for my dog. It’s not allergies, it an auto-immune problem. My dog is only 25lbs and Cyclosporine cost is approx $80 a month at her dosage, a GSD could cost over $100 a month, but this drug is amazing. It takes a month to 6 weeks to start working but the results are a normal dog, no scratching, no infected ears, no teary eyes, no belly/groin rash, no yeasty smell, any lost fur grows right back, and best of all zero side effects.
I had my dog blood tested the first 2-3 years on this stuff and all good. She is now 6 and we only need to use it about 5-6 months out of the year, so something is causing her autoimmune system to over load during warm and summer months (and it’s not flea bites). I had my dog allergy tested but that didn’t point to anything in particular. If you have the means to try Atopica, you might want to ask your vet, mine allows me to buy online to save some money. Good Luck!
(I am not a vet, nor do I have any medical training). Also note my dog is a 100lb German Shepherd.
In Canada oral Fluconazole is sold without a prescription for treating human yeast infections.
However, I am attempting to treat my dog as follows:
1) I changed my dog food to avoid all: wheat, corn, other grains, chicken and eggs (these are the potential triggers that I deduced through trial and error)
2) I administered 75mg doses of Fluconazole twice a day for three days.
3) I have added 2 tsp of virgin coconut oil to his diet everyday ongoing (this is supposed to act as a natural anti-fungal.
4) After administering the Fluconazole I began adding pro-biotic capsules to his diet everyday. (I will continue this for five days).
5) For various skin sores I have begun using anti-dandruff shampoo to wash him once a week to kill any yeast on his skin.
6) I have also began administering the coconut oil to his sores.
7) I am researching the benefits of a hydrocortizone spray for his skin sores. I am not sure if one can even purchase this in Canada without a prescription.
Otherwise my dog is doing well, he is happy, energetic and eating. I will give this treatment two weeks to work. If there are no signs of improving I will take my doggy to the vet and subject myself to their overpriced and short term advice.
Note: Fluconazole is expensive in Canada, each does costs about $7.00
After reading more on the topic it appears that Fluconazole 5mg for every 10lbs of dog may be a more appropriate daily dosage.