Severe Infection maybe yeast

Question
QUESTION: Hi,
My cocker is 5 years old.  He has a terrible skin infection.  It started with yeast infection in his ears about a year ago in august.  It reoccured.  He was treated with 200mg of Amoxicillin.
It became worse 4 months ago.
I have been treating him with enzymes from Nzymes.com.  They tell me that enzymes will heal him but he keeps getting worse.  The dietary supplements are Tincture of black-leaf (black walnut and olive leaf), Antioxidant Granules (daily antioxidant food supplement) and BAC-PAK Plus (Direct fed microbials and digestive enzymes.   I've been using Micro TEK EQyss shampoo and Universal Medicated shampoo 2 times a week.  Been spraying him with OX-E-DROPS which is antifungal, bacterial, and viral, daily.  
His symptoms are goopy eyes (treated with OX-E-DROPS), ears are yeasty (treated them with K-9 liquid health ear solutions), Thin fur, scales reappear constantly, Legs and arms are especially crusted, stomach is red and hot with no fur and is distended, he breathes heavily and his body shakes when he is hot, armpits are clumpy and yeasty underneath and he smells terrible.

He was eating twice a day since a week ago. Now he eats half the amount, 2 cups a day of Nutrisource Adult Chicken and Rice formula high quality dog food with the enzymes and a spoonful of yogurt.  He goes out and poops and pees.  He doesn't like to get up and move much.  We just found out from our vet that he has Lymphocytic Thyroiditis and he needs to begin Thyroid supplementation.  

What can I do?  I'm worried and at wit's end.  I don't want to lose my baby.

Thank you,
Chris

ANSWER: Okay..the very first thing I'd do is oder some Zymox for his ears.  This stuff is miraculous and Vet Dermatologists LOVE it.  Order the cleaner and the Hydrocortisone-Free med.  I get it from EntirelyPets.com but your favorite online place may have it too.  Just get it and I'll explain how and when to use it.

Skin and ears are the same problem.  Quite frankly, you need a better vet since he doesn't seem to have given any topical advice and that's key to controlling this.
gt
Get some Nizoral shampoo (most drugstores/supermarkets have it)..tjis is a favorite with Dermatologists.  Shake bottle well - lather dog up - leave on for 10 minutes and rinse well.
Really well.  Do this daily for 3 days and then taper off.

And I need to know how your vet diagnosed the thyroid problem?  This is REALLY imporant and if he/she didn't send it off to the right lab (Antech or Michigan State) you're just spinning your wheels.  This is the very first thing that should have been done.

Here's what your vet should have done at the first skin infection:
1.  General exam
2.  Turned off lights in office and examined with Wood's Light to see extent of infection.
3.  Taken cell sample by "tape or scrape" and analyzed to see if it's yeast or bacteria
4.  Prescribed the proper antibiotic for a MONTH...not two weeks.
5.  Done a re-check in 2 weeks.

And you're feeding an inferior food that may be contributing to the problem.  It's not "high quality" at all.
Delores

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you so much for the advice.  The lab was MSU, endocrinology section.  I'll get the ear drops.  What are the directions how and when to use them?

The vet that did the thyroid check was a new vet and I still wasn't satisfied with what he did.  Do you know how I can check around for a good vet place?  Alot of vets seem to push medication that doesn't help or even makes things worse.  

Also what type of dog food would you recommend?

Answer
If the Thyroid test was sent to Michigan State then it was done properly.  How long has he been on the Thyroid Meds?  What antibiotic was prescribed and for how long?  Did the vet take a cell sample before prescribing?

If he hasn't yet begun the Thyroid meds - (it's hard to tell from your email) then putting him on the meds may solve everything.  So get him going with that right away.

How to use Zymox:
Use the cleaner as you would any cleaner.

With the Hydrocortisone-FREE med you fill canal - massage base of ear - let dog shake head and do NOT clean out the ear canal.  Do not clean ears during treatment.  Most ear problems will clear up in a week but if it's stubborn, possibly two weeks.

Don't mix Zymox products with other ear products.

But the most important thing to do right now is get him on the thyroid medication.  All these symptoms can be caused by hypothyroidism.  The first thing I would have suggested is to get his thyroid tested.

Dog foods I like for cockers:
Innova EVO
Orijen
Addiction (Addiction also has a raw, dehydrated line..which is what I feed and the Brushtail or Fig'licious Venison have no grains).

To find these foods - go to Naturapet.com and find a store in your area that sells Innova EVO because they'll sell other premium foods too.

Addiction can be ordered online at OnlyNaturalPets.com and K9 Cuisine or you may find someone in your area who carries it.

Whatever you choose - transition slowly.
Delores