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 vet. Keep reading to get more detail about giving your dog Diflucan.
This vaginal treatment can be used for yeast infections as well as central nervous infections, ringworm and urinary infections. You’ll likely need to administer it twice daily, closely following your vet’s instructions. 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 canine without your vet’s prior approval can be very dangerous.
Can I Give My Dog Diflucan? Answer: Yes, as prescribed by a vet
Controlling infections using Diflucan can be successful but only under the direction of a veterinarian.
We all want our dogs to be of optimum health and can’t bear to see them sick or suffering. Often this can lead to a quick pharmacy visit in an effort to try to find medication to make them better.
Unfortunately, in many cases, human medication can be harmful to our fluffy four-legged friends. Diflucan is certainly no exception.
Only your vet will know whether your dog is healthy enough to handle a powerful anti-fungal medication such as Diflucan. Getting the proper dosage correct, based on weight, age, breed, etc. is also something they can do better than most of us.
Certain Dogs & Diflucan
Diflucan cannot be administered to just any dog. For some canines this medication can be fatal. Dogs with kidney problems, liver disease or those pregnant or those nursing 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.
When unsure about your dog’s situation, it is all the more reason to schedule a routine visit. Using their full medical history, your vet will provide a well thought out decision and the best course of action.
The Possible Side Effects
Some dogs can experience side effects when taking this medication. Others just can’t handle the dosage and still other dogs will overdose. Watch out for a decreased appetite, skin rash and vomiting. Diflucan use 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. Stop the medication and monitor your dog closely. Only you will notice if they are improving, staying the same or getting worse. Depending on how bad it is, you may need to bring your dog in immediately for testing.
Careful Diflucan Use
If and when Diflucan is recommended by your vet, you’ll need to keep to a strict schedule and carefully follow their exact directions. Often you will need to administer this medication twice a day. It comes in capsule form and is an oral medication. Be sure to set the dosage intervals for the same time every day for maximum effectiveness.
If for any reason you forget to give your dog a dose, provide it to them as soon as possible. Diflucan doesn’t need to be given with food, which means you can administer it to your dog any time of the day. Just be very consistent.
It needs be noted that you shouldn’t expect immediate improvement. Dogs on this medication may need to take it for long periods to be truly effective. Usually you’ll notice some improvements after two full weeks of strict medication treatment.
Conclusion on Diflucan
Diflucan may be a good choice for clearing up a yeast infection in most dogs. Sometimes, though, its use is inappropriate and may not be the right solution. Your vet may suggest a different and more effective medication to clear up your dog’s infection.
The truth is, with so many dangers and side effects, vets often view Diflucan as a last resort solution. In any case, while your dog is taking this medication, you will be asked to monitor their behavior and progress to ensure it is working as intended.
Maureen is studying for her Vet Tech Degree & is the primary author of
{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
My schnauzer is five years old. He licks his paws and his nails come off. The skin turns white around his nail beds. I had him on Diflucan for 3 weeks but he started having side effects. My vet wanted him to stay on the meds. He displayed signs of anorexia, lethargy and loose stools. I took him to another vet who put him on fish oil. I would appreciate any help with this. I can’t stand to see my dog sick.
Consider going to a raw diet. This has to be done with the right mix of supplements and vegetables. It’s difficult to find a vet that will support this. You also have to be careful of the food supplier.
After reading more on the topic it appears that Fluconazole 5mg for every 10 pounds of dog may be a more appropriate daily dosage.
I am not a vet, nor do I have any medical training. Also note my dog is a 100 pound 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 dose costs about $7.00
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 sore 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 25 pounds and Cyclosporine costs approximately $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!