Popeye shows that Bulldogs can achieve a very high standard of obedience training with the right techniques and a little patience.

He also has a small skin irritation on his hind leg that he tries to
bite on. I would like to try and take care of it before it gets any
bigger.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you!
Lila

—–

First of all, if you are using plastic feeding or water bowls, stop immediately!  They
have been shown to actually cause chin acne and other problems.  Instead use
ceramic or stainless steel bowls.

Pimples on the chin could be from several other things.  I’ll list them in order of severity.

When your bulldog eats, he probably sticks his chin in his food, getting it moist and this can lead to irritation.  Keeping it dry and clean could be the answer for this.  Wash with an anti-bacterial soap or Chlorhexiderm Shampoo.  Keep his chin as dry as you can daily.

The next factor could be he is getting too much oil or is allergic to the fish oils in Omega 3 oil.  I’m not sure what you’re feeding him, but sometimes a bulldog gets a reaction to too much oil or too many fats.

If the pimples are oozing, he could have a surface pyoderma.  A surface pyoderma is a localized infection caused by staphylococcus bacteria.  It can be treated with anti-bacterial ointment such as polysporin.

Staph is a very common bacteria found on the skin of dogs and humans and in the environment.  Usually it is harmless, as the dog’s immune system fights it off.  Unfortunately in bulldogs, this is not always the case.

Because the Bulldog is a man-made breed and been subject to such intense inbreeding, the breed is often left with genetic weaknesses.  And a compromised immune system is one of them.  That is why I put so much importance on a healthy diet.

Once the dog suffers an assault to the immune system, as in fighting off a cold or an infection, his immune system can become taxed and unable to fight off this type of skin infection.

The next level of concern is if the infection becomes a Deep Pyoderma.  In this case, the infection has gone beneath the surface and can become systemic.  This is a serious condition that needs to be treated with anti-biotics.

The fact that he has one on his leg as well is troublesome.  He bites at it because it itches. It could mean he has a systemic staph infection that is spreading in his body. The signs of this are usually oozing lesions that crust over and then flake off, leaving bald spots.  In this case it may need to be treated with anti-biotics.

Try using the anti-bacterial soap on those two spots and see if they get better.  If they are oozing or if they get bigger rapidly, or if more of them appear, you better take him to the vet, preferably a dermatologist.

There are other conditions that can cause this sort of chronic outbreak of skin rashes.  The most common is a hormonal imbalance.  Usually the symptoms include hair loss and increased thirst.  A vet can test for thyroid imbalance by doing a tyroid panel test (be sure it’s the panel test).

your bulldog pal,

Jan

Original source: Ask bulldog

Do you have any experience with persistent paw yeast infections? My son’s bulldog has one in between his toes that won’t go away. It only flared up again when the pills prescribed by the vet were used up. The MalAcetic Otic they gave us isn’t working. I hestitate to go back to the vet again and waste more money.
Any suggestions? I don’t like to bother you, but I’m at my wit’s end.

Attached is a photo of his paw.

There seems to be a couple of bumps and it’s yeasty. On November 4, the vet injected him with Dexamethasone and gave him Enrofloxacin pills. It seemed to calm down. Now that the pills are all gone, it has flared up again. I was soaking it in warm water and salt, plus pouring peroxide on the wound today which I think made it worse. The vet put him on a special diet because he has a stomach infection – Medi-cal Gastro formulated for gastrointestinal conditions. He was throwing up everyday and had loose stools. He’s no longer throwing up since on this kibble. The stools are better.
Have you seen this condition before in between the toes?

Thanks, Debbie

Hi Debbie,

The photo is not very clear but that looks like an interdigital cyst to me. If so, they are notyeast, they are either ingrown hairs that get infected or a fungal infection – there is some debate.

The medical term for them is interdigital furuncle. I think they are an ingrown hair that gets a mild infection. They usually clear up on their own and I am of the opinion they should not be punctured because that can lead to infection. And I wouldn’t go the antibiotic route because I think it not necessary unless there is a bad infection. And I’ve found that the least amount of fussing with the sore is best.

Your vet prescribed a broad spectrum antibiotic for the perceived infection.

Here is some advice from various bulldog owners and breeders on how they treat them:

As for the cysts, I have used part of the process you’ve included: we usually soak the affected paw in Epsom salts water. I don’t worry about applying Panalog or other creamsunless the vet has recommended it.

Generally with a cyst or any lesion on the paw that I am just starting to treat, I just start with soaks. That way I clean the foot and can get a really good look, and Epsom salts helps to soften and start the lesion draining if it needs to. If it’s a cyst, is there a need for Panalog or other anti-bacterial (antibiotic) ointments or creams? Not necessarily, only if it’s infected. So, if draining it and/or keeping it clean is enough, then why bring in antibiotics and tinker with resistance and such? If pus drains, then I do use ointment, usually triple antibiotic or Bacitracin. Like you, if soaks (with or without ointment) don’t work in 2-4 days, or if it worsens, it’s off to the vet we go!

–Margaret

—-

What I have found is that many cysts are caused by ingrown hair. I soak the affected food in Epson salts for about 5 minutes. When drying the paw if you look on the underneath side of the foot between the pads on the toe that is effected you will probably see an area that appears to have a black head. You can usually use a tweezers and pull the hairs out without causing your pet much discomfort. This has always worked on my dogs.

——

a long coarse of antibiotics usually cephalexin. and give it some time. i have two that got cysts between the toes and used antibiotics 1 dogs went away and hasnt come back… the other girls cyst has been back several times now i dont even put her on antibiotics anymore, i keep it clean use panalog oint and basically just keep popping the cyst to drain it and within a week it starts to go away her last cyst i did this and it hasnt been back in over a year. i am a technician at a vet clinic and ive seen surgeries removing these cysts and 90% of them ive seen return anyway after several surgeries and alot of money it is very hard to get all of the stalk inbetween the toes so you often get regrowth any way…

well thats my 2 cents

chrissy

—-

There are as many interdigital cyst remedies as there are Bulldoggers. I think the cysts have multiple causes including fungus advancing to infection as the cyst develops.

Along that reasoning, I use a Nolvasan Surgical Scrub solution; 5% Surgical Scrub, 95% water, applied with a spray bottle and massaged onto the affected area. I apply twice daily and I’ve never had it last more than three days.

Nolvasan Surgical Scrub is a bit pricey,perhaps $55.00/Gallon, but a gallon will last a lifetime (Or more) It’s very effective for hot spots and simple skin problems. Most importantly, It’s an anti-bacterial agent and an effective fungicide, not an anti-biotic. A simple solution for a complex problem.

Walt

—-

I agree with Walt’s solution -

That’s a great idea

I also use a home made concoction we fondly call “Oden’s Foot” It is 50% rubbing alcohol, 50% water – you boil the water and ad 2 heaping tablespoons of salt till it dissolves. Let is cool a bit then mix with the alcohol put in a sprayer bottle and spray several times a day -

this dries up themoisture and the cyst – this is a people remedy given my son when he had severe fungal infections of the toe nails – it works great you just need to be consistent and spray frequently

Kathy J

—–

The most common home remedy I read about was to soak or compress the affected foot several times per day, then apply antibiotic ointment. A few people recommended applying Preparation H or other hemmorhoid creams. We decided to do a bit of each.

Three to four times per day we’ve been soaking Elliott’s foot in Epsom salts. The easiest way we’ve found to do this is to fill the laundry tub up with 2 to 3 inches of fairly warm water, to which we’ve added a cup of Epsom Salts. We then stand Elliott in the tub, and sit beside him for ten minutes or so. Luckily for us, he’s a good boy, and just stands there patiently so long as we give him the occasional head scratch.

After ten minutes or so have elapsed, we put Elliott on a thick towel and gently pat his affected foot dry. I then fill a large, wide coffee cup with about an inch of hydrogen peroxide, and hold his foot in the cup for a few moments. The affected areas on Elliott’s foot, in particular the cyst itself and the surrounding hair follicles, respond to the hydrogen peroxide with bubbling, whereas the rest of his foot does not. This shows that there is catalase enzyme present in these areas, which is one of the components released when blood or damaged cells are present.

After soaking in hydrogen peroxide, we again pat Elliott’s foot dry. I then apply either Panalog ointment, or Anusol hemorrhoid ointment.

We’ve been treating him using the above method since Saturday morning, and in that time period his swelling has reduced by approximately 40%, and the redness is almost completely gone. With any luck, it will be completely gone within another day or so, and with no antibiotics. Of course, if it doesn’t clear up, or returns, then we’ll try traditional Veterinary treatment and oral antibiotics.

Frogdog blog

And here are some links to more information and photos on the topic:

http://www.bulldogsworld.com/DigitCyst.html

http://www.provet.co.uk/Petfacts/healthtips/interdigitalcysts.htm

Good luck, let me know how he’s doing.

Your Bulldog Pal,

Jan

Hello I have a few quesitons for you about your book. I have 2 bullies a
male 2yrs. old and a female 1yr. old. My male has had problem after
problem. Now we have skin problems. He his going bald on both sides like
where he scratches. he has had this 3 times before each time my vet was
able to somewhat say what it was (each time a different problem or was it)
we would treat it and his hair would come back. this time has been
different. He was daigonased with ring worm @2 mths ago. we went through
the treatments and they also treated my female since it can be spread and
she also started to loose hair they have been retested and the tests came
back negative, but their hair has not grown back and the area where they
have lost the hair is really sensitive to touch. Now my vet has nothing
left up his sleve he wants to send us to a dermotoligist. Will you book go
over issues and give maybe some at home suggestions to try before you head
to the vet. It seems like i live there sometimes and just sounds strange to
me that she also just started having problems at the same time as my male (
I just dont see allergy). also do you know how many pages it is if you
download the pdf file. I am trying to decide weather or not to buy the book
or download it.

Thanks,
Sue

—-answer—-

Hi Sue,

Allergies take up the largest portion of my Bulldog Health System book and cd. I also have a lot of additional information in the bonus materials. The book is 84 pages.
The printed version comes with a cd that includes all the bonus materials.

As for your dog’s condition, I think I may be able to help you with it.
I’m not sure where you live, but the first thing that comes to mind is that
your male has seasonal flank alopecia, a condition where in the winter
the hair falls out symmetrically on both flanks. Here’s an article on it:

http://www.vivyland.com/articles/sfa.html

Because of the ringworm (a fungus) both your dogs have lost some
hair and it may not return until the spring when the days get longer.
The sensitivity could be from the treatments – what were they?

There are other conditions that bulldogs get that can lead to hair loss,
and a dermatologist can do skin scrapings to determine what it is.

I hope this helps. Let me know.

Your Bulldog Pal,

Jan

———-

Hello,
I ordered your book and I just love it. Wondered if you have any
sugesstions on a problem i am having with my 1 1/2 year old female bully. I
just weened her over to a new food and i noticed saturday morning that her
belly was bright red. I applied some hydrocortizone cream on it the redness
has toned down but has not gone away it is also under her front legs. she
also has been rubbing both eyes. thinking it was an allergy to the food i
stopped feeding her that food. Her skin is still the same and she has no
energy and sometimes shivers when she is sleeping. I do have an appointment
with the vet but was just wondering if you had any idea what i may be
dealing with.

thanks
sue

—-answer—

Hi Sue,

It sounds like it could be some sort of allergic reaction. The red on her belly
could be hives. I have a few questions.

What was she eating and what did you switch her to?

That’s a pretty dramatic reaction to be just food. Providing good food
helps with immune function that in tern helps keep many problems at
bay. Year 1 1/2 is when there’s a large growth spurt – the shoulders
bulk out very rapidly. And that can tax the system a bit.

It could also be a hormonal thing. Has she been neutered?

It’s worrysome that she’s not eating and that she’s shivering. Those are
both signs of illness. And there are many possibilities. So taking her to
the vet is a good idea. He will ask more questions and probably do some
blood tests and a skin scraping if it looks like she has a yeast infection.

Please let me know what he says.

Your Bulldog Pal,

Jan

—–

Hi Jan,
Just wanted to let you know the update on Roxy. My vet said he thought
it was an allergic reaction most likley from the food (royal canin bulldog
food) funny! Her symptoms were pretty bad on that Saturday her eyes were
real swolen, belly bright red, shivers and not eating the new food. Of
cource my vet was not in so i stopped feeding her that food. By Monday when
i could get her into the vet the swelling of the eyes had gone down and she
was eating IAMS dog food. She did have a slight feaver and the bright red
belly when I took her in but she gets so excited at the vet that he said
that her temp could be a little high due to her being so excited. To play
it on the safe side he did some blood work and put her on an antiobiotic.
The blood work came back with no problems. And within a couple of days her
belly was back to normal. Thanks for your sugesstions.

All better,
sue

Hi Sue,

Great news! Such a simple fix – it’s a great testimony to how important diet
is for a bulldog. It’s weird that some react differently to foods that others
have no problems with.

Thanks for keeping me informed! And hugs to Roxy.

Your Bulldog Pal,
Jan

——-answer——–

Hi John,

Some people bathe puppies as much as once a week.
I’m not a strong believer in frequent bathing. I only
recommend once a month unless they get really dirty.

Bathing often can lead to dry skin and can promote
allergic reactions. The natural oils in a dog’s coat
provide protection from parasites and bacteria.

When you bathe, be sure that you do not get any water
in the ears or nose fold as this can lead to yeast infections.
Moisture is a perfect breeding ground for yeast so you
want to be sure to keep the ears, nose folds, and tail
pockets dry.

I recommend brushing your bulldogs at least every few
days. This will help keep the coat healty and clean.
And the bulldogs love it.

If you do bathe them regularly, you could consider adding
an Omega 3 supplement to their diet. Omega 3s (from
flax or salmon oil) provide essential fatty acids and also
help boost your bulldog’s immune system.

Your Bulldog Pal,

The British Bulldog has for many years had the reputation for being an aggressive dog, often making people fear the dog. This goes back to their days of being used for chasing and attacking cows and bulls for their owners. They had the task of grabbing them by the legs and making sure they were brought home. In addition, they were trained to pen them in the corner so they couldn’t move. Their job was also to bait the bulls, grab them by the nose and pin them to the ground. Although this was later considered cruel and inhumane, this is how the dog got their name. This led to people believing the dog was not only aggressive but mean as well.

The Bulldog’s face makes one remember what they were used for, with their short muzzle and undershot jaw making it possible to put the bull in a tight grip like a vice. The nose is set back on the face so the dog could still breathe while holding the bull. When people look at their face today, they can still remember what the dog was used for years ago. This facial characteristic is yet another aspect that gives the dog the appearance of being mean. Through the years, breeders have been trying to breed the aggression out of the dog to show that the British Bulldog could be made into a good family dog.

The bulldog is very stubborn in nature, and so it doesn’t tend to do well in obedience training. They are a very mellow, easy-going dog, however, choosing to stay quite happily with family members. If strangers come to their home, they may bark and growl, but seldom do they do much more. They have had the reputation for so long of being aggressive, though, that many still fear the dog and don’t want much to do with them as family pets. Their personality is such that they are a dog that “thinks things through”, which often makes people think they are just being ‘bullheaded’ and aggressive.

Because the bulldog is such a couch potato on the lazy side, many feel that they are being stubborn and unruly, when all they want is just to lay around and be comfortable. Although they are not the greatest dog to take for a walk, they do love the human companionship. They may not be the best dog to get for first-time pet owners, but they are lovable and protective animals. The history of the dog as well as their facial appearance still has some people thinking the dog is mean. Much has been done to transform this dog into the wonderful family pet they’ve become. Many breeders have been part of irresponsible breeding programs that have hurt the British Bulldog’s reputation, which has led to some people still believing they are aggressive and mean.
Original source http://www.terrificpets.com/articles/Bulldog.asp