HOT SPOTS:
Bulldogs are VERY prone to this condition. Hot Spots are red, irritated, weeping, itchy, sometimes circular spots. They can be caused by a number of factors, including but not limited to - allergy, insect bites, or flea allergy dermatitis. Whatever the initial cause, the bulldog will scratch the area or chew on it to no end. This causes the "hot spot". Clean the area thoroughly. You can wash with shampoo, rinse and dry. Or clean with Baby Wipes with lanolin and aloe. You can also wash with Bigeloil. Then apply a medication such as Panalog, Bag Balm, Sulfadene, or 1% cortisone cream. Any good topical Antibacterial Cream should work fine. Clean area and apply medication daily. If there is no improvement within 2 weeks or if the condition gets worse, go to the veterinarian. For more information on Hot Spots, Click HERE.
INTERDIGITAL CYSTS:
This problem appears as a red swelling that pops up between the dogs toes. First examine the paw carefully, especially the underside between the pads to be sure there is no foreign matter (a thorn or such). If there is, take it out. Clean the area. Remedies include: (I) Soaking the paw in warm water and Epsom Salts, dry you can purchase at a drug store. If they persist, you will need to gand rub in Panalog, or (2) Use Preparation H, or (3) Have your veterinarian make this up for you: One part 60% DMSO, one part Gentavet solution 50 mg. per ml. Apply one drop per day; rub in with a Q Tip. Do NOT use more than one drop, do NOT apply more frequently than once a day. (Touching your skin with it can cause a garlic taste in your mouth.) If you start application at the first sign, this solution will prevent the cyst from developing. With all these treatments, it's best to continue the treatment for two to three days after the cyst is gone.
FUNGUS SPOTS:
These are somewhat like hot spots, and are often misdiagnosed as so by the Bulldog Owner. They usually start out as a raised red bump, which can vary in size from the size of a pea to the size of a quarter. The one sure way to tell the difference between the two conditions is that Fungus Spots are not weepy. They get dry and flaky. However, the hair will come out on the spot, the same as with a hot spot. Be sure you clean away all the "scabby" material. Wash the area and treat with Panalog, Keflex, or any good anti-fungal ointment. You can use Demorex shampoo or a sulfur based soap for the washing.
FACIAL ACNE OR ECZEMA:
Bulldogs are forever putting their faces into all kinds of strange places and can get pimples on his face and chin. It can also be caused by using plastic food or water bowls because bacteria collects in the scratches of the plastic and some Bullies are susceptible to topical bacterial infections. Usually you can clear these up just by washing and rubbing in an anti-biotic ointment. Or you can try OXYIO (benzoil peroxide) which is an oral anti-biotic medication from your veterinarian.
CHERRY EYE:
The gland which normally resides under the lower eye lid at the inside corner of the eye will sometimes "pop" out. This is not as horrible as it appears to be and does not require emergency treatment. However, the quicker the dog gets treatment the better the chance for successful treatment without removing the gland. Removal of the gland can result in a "dry eye" which will require ointment the rest of the dog's life.
For more information on Cherry eye, click here.
TAIL:
Some Bulldog's have their tail set in a pocket or it may be so tight that the Bulldog can not lift it in order to go potty. If your Bulldog does~ you will need to make a special effort to keep that pocket clean and dry. Wipe it out frequently with a soft cloth or baby wipe. Be sure to dry it thoroughly and apply an ointment such as Panalog or a Medicated Baby Powder. In severe cases, the Bulldog's tail may need to be clipped. This is a fairly simple process which will often produce excellent results. The recovery time is very minimal.
TEMPERATURE:
You take a Bulldogs temperature just as you take a small baby's - rectally. Use a good rectal thermometer, lubricate generously with Vaseline. Normal temperature is from 100.5 to 102.
INSECT STINGS:
If your Bulldog is stung by a bee or other insect, give him Benadryl (either capsule or liquid) and watch him closely for the next half hour. You may also apply an ice pack to the area where he was stung if you know where it is and remove the stinger if it is still in the bite. Insect Stings can also cause Hot Spots.
FACIAL WRINKLES:
You should clean your bulldogs facial wrinkles often, every day if possible. You can do this easily with a baby wipe. It does not hurt to buy a tub and keep for this reason. You can also use a damp cloth. If you notice that any wrinkle is looking damp or is turning colors inside it - you should immediately apply Medicated Baby Powder into the wrinkles and continue to use it twice daily until the wrinkle is completely dry. The wrinkle will be as good as new in a day or two.
BATH TIME:
I recommend no more than one bath per week for your Bulldog. The more bath time that you give, the more likely that the skin will dry out and become irritated. Again those handy baby wipes come into play. Use a couple of baby wipes to wipe your Bulldog's face and body. Most Bulldogs LOVE this - as it is a cooling sensation to their body as well as a nice way to quickly and easily clean them up. When giving a bath, use a good shampoo and be sure to wash it all out of their fur before drying. You can use Baby Powder to freshen your Bulldog between bath times as well.
BELLY RASH:
During Crate Training, you may notice small red bumps on your Bulldog puppys belly. This rash is caused by laying in urin during the night. You can apply medicated baby powder to your bulldog puppys belly and the rash will go away within a day or two. How do you solve the urination problem that is causing the rash you ask? If you are using news papers, a towel, a sheet etc in your puppys crate at night~ remove it. The puppy will not urinate in the crate once it understands that it will have to lay in that urin. It may take a few nights for this to work, and the puppy should be atleast 12 weeks of age before using this technique. Puppies younger than 12 weeks of age just can not hold their urin all night.
We hope that this information has been helpful to you.
Please feel free to print it out and keep it handy~ just in case.
