Malassezia Dermatitis

OVERVIEW
Malassezia pachydermatis (syn. Pityrosporumcanis)—yeast; normal commensal of the skin, ears, and mucocutaneous areas; can overgrow and cause dermatitis, cheilitis, and otitis in dogs
Yeast numbers in diseased areas are usually excessive, although this is a variable finding.
The causes of the transformation from harmless commensal to pathogen are poorly understood but seem related to allergy, seborrheic conditions, and possibly congenital and hormonal factors.
Malassezia dermatitis and Malassezia-associated seborrheic dermatitis—common in all geographic regions of the world
Cats-similar disease, but rare