English bulldogs have fickle health and are sometimes susceptible to allergic reactions. If you have an English bulldog, you need to be aware of the most common allergies which they can suffer from. If you can detect them, it will be easy for you to start any necessary treatment and limit the damage to their health. Here are seven different allergies which are most common in English bulldogs.
Atopic dermatitis (eczema):
Atopic dermatitis, or eczema, is a skin allergy to which English bulldogs are susceptible. The cause of skin allergies is normally dust mites or mold. If the skin is hypersensitive to these, it can result in this ailment. The characteristics of this ailment are:
• Excessive licking of the skin
• Paw chewing
• Chewing of hind legs
• Inflammation of the ear
Another way you can look out for this ailment is by touching your dog’s ear: if it is at a higher temperature compared to the rest of the body, your bully might be suffering from eczema. The armpits, the paws, and toes change color when English bulldogs suffer from this condition. The skin might appear reddish brown, pink, or even black. These visual cues make it easy to spot when your dog is suffering from atopic dermatitis. When you notice any of these changes in your dog, it is best to consult your vet right away. The sooner you treat it, the better the chance of not letting it spread to the rest of your bulldog’s body. Atopic dermatitis occurs more frequently in English bulldogs when they are young.
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Inhalant allergy
Pollen grains, mites, mold, dust do not just cause respiratory problems in humans, but they also affect dogs. English bulldogs are prone to respiratory problems, especially due to their flat muzzles. The symptoms can include:
• Scratching of paws and skin
• Biting of paws and skin
• Chewing of paws and skin
Since bulldogs are closer to the ground, they are more likely to come across these contaminants when they are walking outdoors than other dogs . These pollutants have a detrimental impact on the health of your English bulldog. That is why, when taking your English bulldog outdoors, it is better to check the air quality before making that trip outdoors, since it will help to limit your dog’s exposure to these contaminants.
Contact allergy
Allergens can come in contact with your English bulldog not just through the air. Sometimes, they come in touch with allergens through other objects. Some of the objects and supplies which can spread allergens are:
• Flea collars
• Plants
• Grass
• Dog shampoo
• Bedding
When you go through this list, you will realize that these are the things which come in contact with your dog daily. That is why it is essential to follow a few tips to avoid contact allergy in your dog. These include:
• Sterilizing things that your dog has contact with regularly, such as its bed, from time to time.
• When buying supplies like dog shampoo, make sure that it consists of organic ingredients and make sure to store the shampoo in a clean place.
• When taking the dog outdoors, it is better to avoid walking the dog through any dirty areas
• You should inspect flea collars and other such supplies from time to time.
• You should bathe your dog regularly, especially when he/she has been in contact with other dogs.
Make sure to look out for allergic symptoms like inflammation and redness from time to time. Although English bulldogs are susceptible to contact allergy, early detection can help you limit and take care of any allergic reaction.
Bacterial allergy
A variety of different types of bacteria stay on the skin of your English bulldog, and some bulldogs might be prone to bacterial allergies. Here are some symptoms of bacterial allergy to look out for:
• Excessive shedding
• Inflammation of the skin
• Frequent scratching of the skin
Staphylococcus is one such strain of bacteria that often causes a bacterial reaction in English bulldogs. The only solution to such a bacterial reaction is to opt for antibiotics. That is why, if you detect excessive shedding without the regular seasonal change, it’s best to pay a visit to your vet. Only your vet can prescribe the right antibiotics to get rid of bacterial infections.
Food allergy
English bulldogs have sensitive stomachs and are often allergic to foods. The symptoms of allergic reactions due to something they ingested include:
• Sneezing
• Seizures
• Ear inflammation
• Diarrhea
• Coughing
Generally speaking, English bulldogs might be intolerant to a lot of food products like:
• Soy products
• Pork
• Whey
• Wheat
• Chemical preservatives
• Foodstuffs consisting of artificial flavoring and sugar
Since bulldogs are susceptible to food allergies, you should pay particular attention to your dog’s diet. You also might consider consulting your vet to get recommendations on what you should avoid. It’s best to introduce new food and treats in small amounts, and gradually over time, so that you can monitor how your bulldog reacts to each new item.
Flea bite dermatitis
Fleas can wreak havoc on the health of your dog. Almost all breeds of dogs are susceptible flea bites. The flea bit and saliva from the flea might result in a “hotspot”, which will cause irritation and itching. You will often find your dog chewing these parts of the skin to get some relief.
In addition to any flea-resistant products, regular grooming, checks for ticks and fleas, and vet check-ups, all help to keep your dog flea-free. This not only helps to avoid irritation from flea bites, but also helps to prevent excessive shedding. The chewing and scratching of flea bites can also cause infections, which could lead to more serious health issues, so it’s best to keep your dog safe from fleas.
Hives
Hives are a common allergic reaction that bulldogs might suffer from. Bulldogs might break out in to hives due to many reasons, including:
• Vaccinations
• Food allergies
• Chemical reactions
• Coming in contact with poisonous plants
The severity of the reaction will depend on the amount of exposure to the allergen, and the type of allergen as well. Each dog will also be allergic to different substances, so the reaction will vary by dog. Symptoms of this problem include:
• Swelling is the most common symptom of hives, and can affect your bulldog’s face, paws, legs, and eyes.
• Excessive drooling is another common symptom
Although hives are generally not something to worry about, if your dog continues to be exposed to whatever is causing it to break out, the reaction can become more severe, which can lead to its throat closing. This can obviously create problems in breathing, which is why it’s always best to keep an eye out for initial signs of hives, before it becomes more serious.
The best way to treat hives is by giving your dog antihistamines, which your vet can prescribe. If you notice your dog is suffering from inflamed skin, you can also help treat the symptoms by placing a cold, wet towel on the affected area. This will help with the inflammation and also give your pet some relief. And while it’s obviously important to treat the symptoms, you should also pay attention and find the cause of the outbreak, so that you can prevent future outbreaks form occurring.
Conclusion
The above list are some of the most common English bulldog allergies. This breed is particularly susceptible to allergies, so we hope this list is helpful to you as a means of protecting your dog. Of course, each dog is different, and your dog might be react different to certain foods and materials than others. So it’s always best to test things out and find out yourself how your dog will react to his environment.
