Subject: 🐾 Concerns about my French Bulldog’s colitis 🐶 #BulldogCare
“Max” my 4.5y old Frenchie has been experiencing episodes of loose stools, and sometimes there’s a bit of blood in his stool. I’m wondering if it could be related to colitis, as I’ve read that French Bulldogs can be prone to this condition.
I thought I’d reach out to you first to see if you have any insights or advice. Also which one of your V4B bully therapeutic supplements 🌿 should I use for bulldog colitis?
Best, Sandra J. 🙏
Introduction to Bulldog and Fr. Bulldog Colitis
Colitis is an inflammation of the large intestine (colon) that can present as either acute, with a sudden onset, or chronic, with varying levels of severity. It may range from mild and intermittent episodes to a severe, persistent condition.
What Causes Colitis Bowel Disease in Bulldogs?
Colitis can be attributed to various underlying factors, including:
➡️ INLAMMETORY
- Histiocytic ulcerative colitis (common in Boxers and French Bulldogs)
- IBD
➡️ INTESTINAL WORMS
- roundworm
- wipeworm
- hookworm
- tapeworm
➡️ PROTOZOA
- Giardia
- Coccidia
- Cryptosporidium
➡️ DIETARY:
- food allergy
- dietary intolerance
- Fiber deficiency
➡️ BACTERIA & VIRUS:
- Clostridial colitis, also called antibiotic-responsive colitis
- Parvovirus
- E-Coli
- Salmonella
➡️ CANCER
- Colon Cancer
- Polyps (pre-cancer)
➡️ STRESS & ANXIETY
- Travel
- Boarding
➡️ RX-INDUCED DYSBIOSIS
- Steroids
- Antibiotics
What Are the Symptoms of Bulldog Colitis?
Colitis in dogs primarily affects the large intestine (colon) and typically presents
#1 Bulldog colitis diarrhea:
- Frequent defection
- Frank blood in stool
- Straining to defecate
- Mucus in the stool (jelly)
#2 Discomfort Associated With Bulldog Colitis
- Abdominal pain (may hunch or show discomfort)
- Excessive gas (flatulence)
- Borborygmi (loud gut sounds or rumbling stomach)
Vomiting is less common than diarrhea and is more common in gastrointestinal disease
#3. Other Bulldog Colitis Symptoms
- Scooting: due to rectal irritation
- Lethargy (in severe cases)
- Loss of appetite (occasionally)
- Weight loss (if chronic or severe)
- Dehydration (in severe cases)
What is the Difference Between Bulldog Enteritis and Colitis?
➡️ Large bowel diarrhea (colitis): small, frequent stools with mucus or blood
➡️ Small intestinal diarrhea (enteritis): large-volume stools, weight loss, vomiting
⚠️ BULLDOG COLITIS VITAMING B12 DEFICIENCY WARNING:
Prolonged and severe colitis can result in
- dehydration
- electrolyte imbalance
- protein deficiency
- caloric imbalance
- vitamin B12 deficiency
Colitis Bowel Disease in Bulldogs: DIAGNOSIS
🩺 DR. EXAM: including rectal digital exam to help detect polyps and tumors
🩺FECAL TEST: helps diagnosis of intestinal worms and protozoa, fecal Parvo PCR
🩺 BLOOD & URINE: chemistries, CBC, Urinalysis
🩺 TLI & PLI: Pancreatic enzyme deficiencies
🩺 IMAGING: radiographs, ultrasound, colonoscopy
🩺 BIOPSY: Via exploratory surgery or preferably via colonoscopy
🩺 B12 & FOLATE LEVELS: blood test
🩺 FOOD TRIAL: high-fiber, low-fat blend or hypoallergenic diet
🩺 FORGIN BODIES & OBSTRUCTION
Colitis in Bulldogs and French Bulldogs PREVENTION:
✅ Quality diet, weight control, annual deworming, and fiber supplementation are some of the common preventive measures
❌ Avoid stress and anxiety; avoid Rx like steroids and antibiotics that can harm the colon microbiome.
A quality balanced diet and therapeutic supplements are recommended
Therapeutic Supplements for Bulldog and Fr. Bulldog Colitis
There is a wide range of bully therapeutics that can help prevent and manage colitis.
They include
#1🌿 Prebiotics, Probiotics, and Digestive Enzymes Bully Therapeutics
Bully Probiotics with Digestive Enzymes help replace and boost the good gut bacteria (microbiome)
#2🌿Immune Boosting for Bulldog Colitis
Many colitis cases suffer from underlying immune suppression, immune incompetency, or auto-immune disease
#3🌿Calming & Relaxation for Bulldog Colitis
Stress can be a major trigger and contributor to colitis.
- Calm environment
- bully StressLess & Calm supplements
- Bully HEMP Calm & Relax
#4🌿Botanical Natural Fiber for Bulldog Colitis
Many types of bulldogs with colitis benefit from bully fiber supplementation
Bulldog Colitis TREATMENT
Treatment for colitis mostly depends on the underlying cause.
Quality balanced diet and therapeutic supplements are always recommended.
➡️ Short Fasting: for 12–24 hours
➡️ Dewormers:
- Panacur
- Tylosin
➡️ Antibiotic: for bacterial colitis
- Flagyl
- baytri
- amoxicillin
➡️ Prescription diets:
- High-fiber and low-fat blended diets
- Hypoallergenic prescription diet
➡️ Anti-Diarrhea & Anti-Vomit
- Cernia
- Reglan
➡️ Hydration
- SQ fluid
- IV fluid (acute or severe)
- Food mixed with Water or low-fat broth
➡️ Immune Suppressant RX (for autoimmune colitis):
- Steroids
- Immurane
- Cyclosporin
⚠️💊 IMMUNE SUPPRESSENTS CUATION:
Immune suppressants, such as steroids, are commonly prescribed for immune-mediated diseases like Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) and are often required at high dosages.
🚨Use with caution due to potential side effects.
- including immune suppression,
- increased infection risk
- metabolic disturbances
✅ Before starting cortisone treatment, a biopsy should confirm the diagnosis
Dr. Kraemer’s Tip for Bulldog and Fr. Bulldog Colitis:
Below are selective colitis tips courtesy of Dr. Kraemer
#1 🩺 Breeders and Pet Stores Tip
Many bulldogs are purchased from breeders, pet stores, and rescue groups, all of which are highly exposed to other dogs and contiguous parasitic diseases.
Preventive board spectrum deworms are recommended for all colitis cases.
2#🩺 Colitis Palliative Drugs Tip:
Tylosin and/or Flagyl are also often prescribed palliatively for colitis cases
#3🩺 Bulldog Colitis Antibiotic Tip:
If clostridial colitis is suspected, Baytril and/or amoxicillin can be prescribed.
Recommended by Owners Approved by Bulldogs
