Subject: Seeking Solutions for Daisy’s Skin Acne Woes 🐾 #BulldogHealth #SkinCare
Dear Dr. Kraemer, Daisy is struggling with skin acne issues. 😔 I’ve noticed redness and bumps on her skin, and she appears uncomfortable. Is this common to bulldogs? ? Why? How to care for my French bulldog’s chin acne and alleviate her discomfort.
Warm regards, Tim, Robin & Daisy. 🐶💖 #BulldogMom #AcneCare
Acne in Bulldogs and French Bulldogs INTRODUCTION:
Acne is a skin condition common to the bulldog’s chin and muzzle.
Bulldog Acene Other common names are bulldog chin acne and bulldog folliculitis.
Typical presentations of bulldog Acne are red bumps and the classic blackheads
Bulldog Skin Acne 5 X MUST KNOW
- Acne is modestly raised bumpy, inflamed lesions, and blackheads of the chin and lips.
- Causes are trauma to hair follicles, genetics, allergies, mites, and skinfold dermatitis
- Severe acne can become infected, painful, bleeding, and scarred
- Treatment includes antiseptic therapeutics (wipes, rinse, spray, lotion) and, at times, prescription Rx
- Prevention includes Dr. Kraemer’s Skinfold Care Bundles
Welcome to our “Prevention Over RX” bulldog community
Acne in Bulldogs and French Bulldogs SYMPTOMS:
Acne can present in various degrees and severities
1. MILD BULLDOG SKIN ACNE:
The mild form presented itself similarly to what children experience during adolescence.
2. MODERATE BULLDOG ACNE:
The most common manifestation of bulldog acne is a modestly raised, bumpy, inflamed lesion and blackheads.
3. SEVERE BULLDOG ACNE:
Untreated bulldog acne can escalate into bleeding, scabby, oozing, and painful wounds, often developing draining tracts and pustules that may lead to chronic, scar-like disfigurement of the skin.
“FURUNCULOSIS”: Furunculosis is an infected bulldog and French bulldog acne. An infected hair follicle can progress to “bulldog infectious folliculitis,” commonly referred to as “Furunculosis.”
Even mild bulldog acne can become infected, often due to itching, rubbing, or contact with a dirty water dish
What Causes Skin Acne in Bulldogs and French Bulldogs?
The underlying cause can be
- Genetic
- Skinfold moist dermatitis: infected damp bulldog wrinkles
- Folliculitis: infection of the hair follicles
1. SKIN ACNE GENETIC LINK
Bulldog and French bulldog predispositions to acne are likely genetic.
2. SKIN ACENE DUE TO BULLDOG SKINFOLDS & WRINKLES:
Bulldog skinfold’s deep pockets lead to moisture and dampness, thus adding to the breed’s predisposition to skin acne.
Bulldog acne is often treated like a bulldog and French bulldog skinfolds moist dermatitis.
3. SKIN ACNE DUE TO TRAUMA / FOLLICULITIS :
Trauma to the hair shaft and hair follicles can trigger a localized reactive inflammatory response. This condition, characterized by inflamed and injured hair follicles, is medically termed “bulldog folliculitis.”
4. BULLDOG SKIN ACENE DUE TO DAMPNESS & MOISTURE
A chronic wet, moist, damp condition of the skin will also contribute to bulldog acne.
Examples are
- DROOLING: Dampness due to drooling
- WATER DISH: Chin dipping into the water dish
- MOIST FOOD: Moist food that sticks to the chin.
5. FRENCH BULLDOG SKIN ACNE DUE TO ALLERGIES:
Bulldog food allergy and or bulldog atopic environmental allergies can contribute to or trigger bulldog acne.
A contact allergy to the plastic water dish or food bowl is also possible.
6. SKIN ACNE DUE TO BULLDOG DEMODEX:
Demodex mites can also contribute to or present bulldog acne.
7. BULLDOG ACEN DUE TO PUPPY STRANGLES:
Bulldog puppy strangles can lead to a severe case of bulldog acne. In contrast to bulldog acne, bulldog strangles (“bulldog puppy sterile granulomatous dermatitis”) are usually severe and often include enlarged mandibular lymph nodes, fever, loss of appetite, and facial swelling.
Bulldog Interdigital Cyst & Bulldog Skin Acne PATHOLOGY:
Bulldog interdigital cysts and bulldog acne share a similar pathology, stemming from a common root cause involving hair shaft trauma.
- BULLDOG ACNE: This can result from skin folds rubbing against each other, trapping moisture and bacteria.
- BULLDOG INTERDIGITAL CYST: The cause is more likely due to short, coarse hair growing or being broken by pressure on the paw pads.
CYST: While often referred to as “cysts,” both conditions technically differ.
- Bulldog acne: is more accurately described as “folliculitis” (inflammation of hair follicles) or “pyoderma” (bacterial infection of follicles).
- Bulldog interdigital cysts: are better categorized as “folliculitis” or, when infected, as “furunculosis” (boil formation).
Acne in Bulldogs and French Bulldogs DIAGNOSIS
Mild cases might only require an exam while more severe ones will often require treatment
1. SKIN ACNE DR. EXAM:
Severe lesions should be checked, and the exam should include the surrounding structures, an oral exam, and palpation of the local Lymph nodes.
2. BULLDOG ACNE SKIN SCRAPE:
A skin scrape will help rule out skin mites like bulldog demodex.
3. BULLDOG ACNE CYTOLOGY:
Cytology will help rule out infectious organisms and identify inflammatory cells.
4. BULLDOG SKIN ACNE CULTURE:
In rare cases of bulldog acne, a culture might be required. A culture sensitivity test would help diagnose the exact bacteria organism and its sensitivity to antibiotics.
How to Prevent Acne in Bulldogs and French Bulldogs?
Acne prevention starts with proper hygiene
1. SKIN ACNE HYGIENE
- STAINLESS STEEL WATER & FOOD BOWLS: to help prevent allergic reactions and injuries from sharp edges
- PROPER HYGIENE: proper dental care is required. Also, wash the bowls daily to remove debris and saliva
2. SKIN ACNE THERAPEUTIC TOPICALS:
- Antiseptic and Anti-Yeast Wipes
- Dr. Kraemer’s V4B Bully antiseptic XL skinfold wipes are the ideal therapeutic product for skin acne.
Daily wiping or your bulldog skin acne, especially after feeding and drinking is critical.
- Antiseptic Rinse, Spray and Lotion
- V4B Bully Skinfold Antiseptic lotion, rinse, or spray can complement the above wipes.
- Antiseptic Medicated Shampoo:
- V4B Bully Medicated Antiseptic Gel can be integrated and complement wipes, lotion, rinse, shampoo, and spray.
The antiseptic gel foam can be applied directly or with your hand
3. BULLDOG SKIN ACNE THERAPEUTIC SUPPLEMENTS:
- Immune Boost:
- Skin Barrier Repair & Anti-Inflammatory
- Stress& Calm: reduce stress and anxiety with natural supplements
- Dr. Kraemer’s V4B Bully StressLess
Acne in Bulldogs and French Bulldogs TREATMENT:
NON-PRESCRIPTION: Mild to moderate cases of bulldog acne are typically cosmetic and do not necessitate prescription medication. They are generally not painful and can be effectively managed with nonprescription therapeutic topicals and supplements.
Most Bulldog Skin Acne can be treated with nonprescription therapeutic supplements & topicals.
PRESCRIPTION RX: While seldom necessary, your veterinarian may occasionally suggest supplementing the above nonprescription topicals and supplements with prescription medication. Standard prescribed medications typically include antibacterial and anti-inflammatory (steroid) ointments.
In certain cases, depending on the underlying condition, a short-term systemic medication may be prescribed to help manage infection, inflammation, and mites.
Acne in Bulldogs and French Bulldogs WARNINGS:
Below are selected acne warnings courtesy of Dr. Kraemer
#1. ACNE SIDE EFFECT WARNING:
It’s important to remember that prescription medication comes with inherent risks, including various adverse effects and the potential to contribute to multidrug resistance. This can lead to the emergence of harmful and difficult-to-treat microorganisms
#2. CHRONIC ACNE WARNING
Prescription medications are ineffective for controlling chronic acne and should only be used for acute cases or an acute flare.
#3. SKIN ACNE TRAUMA WARNING
- TRAUMA BY YOU: Be gentle when manually managing acne; this will prevent further trauma to the skin and damage to the hair shaft and follicle.
- TRAUMA BY TOYS & BOWLS: Remove toys and bowls with sharp edges.
- TRAUMA BY ITCHING: You must control the underlying cause, such as itching allergies (read Dr. Kraemer’s articles that cover allergies and itch control)
Don’t press or pop your bulldog acne lesion, you will be contributing to the trauma and increasing the chances of an infection.
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