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All breeds of dogs can develop skin issues but Bulldogs are predisposed to developing them. Their wrinkles may be cute but they are breeding grounds for bacteria and yeast due to the moist conditions. If you do not keep your dog’s wrinkles clean, and even if you do, he can develop severe skin issues. Prevention of skin infection is the best sort of treatment you can offer your Bulldog. You should take a visit to your veterinarian to discuss the best way to care for your Bulldog’s skin.
Bulldogs are prone to all types of skin conditions and infections. If your dog’s skin looks irritated in any way, take him to your veterinarian for an evaluation.
Symptoms of this condition may include:
Types
The types of skin conditions in Bulldogs vary depending on the location of the irritation on your dog. However, most of the conditions are diagnosed as starting from pruritus which then turns into a secondary skin infection. The condition may make his skin excessively dry or may make it more moist than normal. This, in turn, can be a superficial infection or one that penetrates deeper.
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The wrinkles of your Bulldog are ultimate breeding grounds for bacteria and yeast due to the moist, dark conditions. The ears are also a common breeding ground for the organisms. Your dog will typically present with severe itching. This will often change into licking, chewing, and rubbing of the entire body, especially around the eyes, muzzle, ears, between the toes, and groin.
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When you arrive at the veterinarian’s office, she will start her diagnostic process by collecting a verbal history from you. She will want to know when you first noticed the skin abnormalities, if your dog has been displaying any of the typical symptoms of a skin issue, and if you have tried to treat it with anything over the counter or not. As part of her diagnostic process, your veterinarian will need to rule out other possible causes that can produce a region of skin with similar symptoms like the one he is presenting with. While the location of the skin issue will give the vet much needed information about your companion’s condition, she will want to rule out possible causes that may be associated. She will also want to know if you have fed him anything new lately, if he has had any changes in his routine or home that could cause stress, if he recently injured himself, or anything else information-wise that may be helpful to know about his situation.
Your veterinarian will then continue by performing a full physical exam on your dog. While it may be obvious where the lesion is and the symptoms it is causing your dog, she will want to do a full evaluation of his entire body system. This will allow her to check for other areas of sensitivity that have not yet developed into a skin infection but are susceptible to it. She will also check for evidence of parasites during her exam to see if they are a contributing factor to his symptoms. Your veterinarian may want to clean the area of skin to allow her a better look at the lesion. Clipping the area will remove excess fur from the region which will remove some of the related irritation.
In addition to diagnosing and treating the skin and possible infection, you will also need to investigate the cause of the initial symptoms. During her examination, if she found evidence of fleas or other ectoparasites, she may explain why this may be causing his symptoms. If it is in a location where there is a skin fold, she may take a skin cytology sample to verify what type of bacteria or yeast is colonizing in the area. Further diagnostics may be recommended depending on the suspected cause of your dog’s condition.
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Ideally, the best treatment involves treating the lesion and preventing more from appearing. Bulldogs need their wrinkles wiped daily, or more frequently, to keep them dry and prevent bacterial overgrowth. If you do not begin a prevention method, such as cleaning, more skin lesions will appear. If your dog is licking or scratching in a specific area that leads to the lesion development, you must stop the need to lick and scratch in order to break the cycle. Proper treatment involves addressing the underlying cause. Your dog may stop licking for a while, but if there is an underlying cause, it is only a matter of time before he begins again.
If this condition goes untreated, your dog may develop papules or pustules around the lesions. This would need antibiotic therapy as it can be indicative of a skin infection. If this is the case with your dog, the veterinarian will send you home with a prescription for an oral antibiotic. Medications to be applied topically to the lesions may also be sent home depending on your dog’s needs.
If ectoparasites are the cause of or a contribution to his symptoms, your veterinarian will suggest a type of flea prevention or other medication to take care of the parasites.
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Prevention is your best treatment option for skin conditions in Bulldogs. However, even with thorough and repetitive cleaning, some dogs are still prone to infection. Keeping your dog’s skin as healthy as possible can be obtained with a good, balanced diet as well as skin supplements such as a fish oil. Your veterinarian may also recommend you use specific wipes on areas of excessive moisture or even a medicated shampoo to keep bacteria or yeast from growing. If you take care of your dog’s skin properly, he should be able to have fewer issues than others of his breed.
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Ask a Vet
English Bulldog
Two Years
Unknown severity
0 found helpful
Unknown severity
Has Symptoms
My bulldog developed a bad skin condition on his face. When I noticed his face was very swollen (like hives). Next day his face became crusty and cracked (like scabs)/ It is very itchy for him, so he has some small open lesions and it is red, took him to the vet & had a skin scrape test. He was prescribed Cephalexin and Prednisolone.
Dec. 6, 2020
Owner
Dr. Linda S. MVB MRCVS
0 Recommendations
Hi there, you are through to Dr Linda. I5 sounds like he has a severe skin infection which is common in his breed due to the skin folds. Many individuals will also have allergies. It sounds as though he is on the right treatment and you should start to see improvement in a few days.
Dec. 6, 2020
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Old English Bulldogge
Eleven Months
Unknown severity
0 found helpful
Unknown severity
Has Symptoms
Why does my dog have bumps on his throat and his back and stumic
Sept. 26, 2020
Owner
Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
Thank you for your question. I apologize for the delay, this venue is not set up for urgent emails. Without being able to see him, it is difficult to say what might be causing this. t would be best to have your pet seen by a veterinarian, as they can examine them, see what might be going on, and get treatment for them.
Oct. 15, 2020
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Bulldog
Nine Months
Unknown severity
0 found helpful
Unknown severity
Has Symptoms
Sores on the body when she scratch in those area of the body
Sept. 26, 2020
Owner
Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
Thank you for your question. I apologize for the delay, this venue is not set up for urgent emails. It would be best to have your pet seen by a veterinarian, as they can examine them, see what might be going on, and get treatment for them.
Oct. 16, 2020
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Old English Bulldogge
Eight Years
Unknown severity
0 found helpful
Unknown severity
Has Symptoms
My dog london is plagued with hot spots and ear infections that reoccur please settle the debate my boyfriend keeps wetting her down and leaving her for wet Will this make it worse and continue to make the yeast grow Or should we make sure she is clean and dry all the time and reduce baths and or water activities I say no water he says keep her wet (he thinks it makes her clean) o say its causing her to smell and stay infected Please advise dry or wet is better
Sept. 24, 2020
Owner
Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
Thank you for your question. I apologize for the delay, this venue is not set up for urgent emails. Moisture can make infections worse. She may also need medication or treatment for this problem. If they are still having problems, It would be best to have your pet seen by a veterinarian, as they can examine them, see what might be going on, and get any testing or treatment taken care of that might be needed.
Oct. 23, 2020
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English Bulldog
Three Years
Unknown severity
1 found helpful
Unknown severity
Has Symptoms
His nose seems to have a bumpy crusty In the top. It’s almost like yeast or something
Sept. 24, 2020
Owner
Dr. Michele K. DVM
1 Recommendations
Thank you for your question. I apologize for the delay, this venue is not set up for urgent emails. I hope that your pet is feeling better. If they are still having problems, It would be best to have your pet seen by a veterinarian, as they can examine them, see what might be going on, and get any testing or treatment taken care of that might be needed.
Oct. 23, 2020
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Ziggy
American Bulldog
5 Days
Serious severity
0 found helpful
Serious severity
Has Symptoms
My American bulldog has a skin infection. It started of as a small scratch which then after 2 days spreads across half his face and got infected. My sister who is a vet shaved the area and cleaned it with hibi. We now clean the wound every morning with hibi as it’s gunky but it’s slowly but surely scabbing over. We are now going to the vet to get antibiotics for him. My AB has always had sensitive skin and it’s always slightly more pink/red than I would like but never had a problem like this!
Hugo
Brindle English Bull Dog
2 Years
Moderate severity
0 found helpful
Moderate severity
Has Symptoms
My brindle English Bull Dog has for the 2nd time developed patches of hair loss that scab underneath. The 1st two spots have started on either side of his forehead. He rubs his head in the snow along our walks as I’m sure it’s itchy. I’ve also noticed in the past week that he is licking his paws also. He gets regular baths and I clean his face folds daily. The vet put him on Rhumadol last November. What are other creams etc that could help relieve his condition at present? I have an appointment at the vets in one week. Wondering if there is anything I could use till then?
Macy
English Bulldog
3 Years
Moderate severity
0 found helpful
Moderate severity
Has Symptoms
My granddog Macy was relatively healthy until last spring she had a false pregnancy and the vet recommended having her spayed. We proceeded and ever since then she has been progressively deteriorating with baldness, severe yeast infections, her eyes have become cloudy and stopped producing tears. We have changed vets, went through 6 rounds of anti yeast medications, antibiotics, and medicated shampoos. She shows small signs of improvement while on medicine but as soon as she finishes the meds she goes right back to horrible condition. She get so sick that she will barely lift her head, barely eat. I have been searching for answers and came across the hormone issue which makes sense to me based on her scenario of declining after the false pregnancy and spaying. I cant get her current vet to address these issues he is more focused on skin allergy or food allergy. Any suggestions would be helpful
Roxy
English Bulldog
18 Months
Serious severity
0 found helpful
Serious severity
Has Symptoms
I have an 18 month old English Bulldog. She has bumps all over and hair loss. Some of the bumps she has scratched and are bleeding or scabbed over. I sprayed the areas with hot spot spray hoping it will ease the pain and she will stop itching. When she goes outside she likes to roll on the grass or in the dirt, which I think gives her a little relief, although I'm not sure if that is making it worse or not.
Archer
American bully
1 Year
Moderate severity
1 found helpful
Moderate severity
Has Symptoms
Have an American Bully, with itching and bad smell. Has been to 3 vets. Treated for yeast, bacterial infection and used medicated shampoo, wipes, frequent baths and 2 recommended no grain diets. He is 1 year old. He has oily, gunky skin if not given frequent baths. Any other thoughts or help with this.
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