Otitis Ear Infection in Bulldogs and Fr. Bulldogs Introduction:
Ear infections in Bulldogs and French Bulldogs are, unfortunately, a common issue in these breeds and often start at an early age. Taking preventive measures is essential to maintaining their health.
Unlike humans and many other dog breeds with self-cleaning mechanisms that make ear infections rare, Bulldogs face unique challenges. Their ear canals are narrower and less efficient at self-cleaning, which increases their susceptibility to infections.
Furthermore, bulldogs are commonly susceptible to allergies, which can lead to allergic otitis, exacerbating ear problems.
Given their brachycephalic (flat-faced) nature, bulldogs are inherently prone to ear diseases (otitis) from a very young age. This makes regular ear checks and maintenance an essential part of their care routine.
Flat face breeds like our bulldogs are prone to ear disease (otitis) from day one.
Bulldog Otitis Ear Disease 5 X MUST KNOW
- Bulldog ear disease is very common and can start at a very young age.
- It is mostly due to bulldog flat-face selective breeding and allergies.
- Pain, itch, red, smelly, crusty, narrow ear canal that can progress to irreversible end-stage disease
- Treatment includes ear bully therapeutics, cleaning wipes, waxLesss rinse, and yeasty bully flush.
- Prevention includes Dr. Kraemer’s Ear Disease Otitis Care Bundles
Wellcome to our “Prevention Over RX” bullldog community
What Causes Otitis Ear Infection in Bulldogs❓
Here is a short list of the bulldog ear’s most common inherent problems:
- ALLERGIES: The breed has a high propensity for allergies (food allergies and atopic allergies),
- NARROW EAR CANAL: abnormally narrow external ear canal
- SELF-CLEANING EARS: poor cell migration of the canal mucosal lining.
- POLYPS & TUMORS: ear canal polyps and tumors
- YEAST & BACTERIA: are usually secondary and lead to further inflammation, edema, thickening and swelling
- EAR MITES: are not common
- HORMONAL: less common, and when presented, it is usually older bulldogs with hypothyroidism or Cushing’s disease.
The bulldog breed’s anatomical misfortune is a direct outcome of decades of “smooched skull” inbreeding.
The warm, moist, narrow ear canal is an ideal habitat for bacteria and yeast microorganisms.
Bulldog Ear Disease and Otitis Externa PRESENTATION:
- SWELLING:
- EXCESSIVE WAX
- PURULENT DISCHARGE
- SMELLY EARS
- SENSITIVE TO TOUCH EARS
- PAIN & DISCOMFORT
- FIBROUS, CALCIFICATION, & OSIFICATION EAR CANAL
BULLDOG END-STAGE EAR DISEASE
Your bulldog ear infection/otitis is going to intensify the inflammation, the pain, and the itch, and vice versa (i.e., itch, pain, and inflammation will lead to and compound an infection).
This vicious cycle can tragically lead to an irreversible state of:
- Fibrosis
- Mineralization
- Calcification,
- Ossification (bone formation)
This chronic condition can progress to end-stage bulldog otitis—an irreversible, lifelong, and painful disease that may also lead to serious neurological complications.
Bulldog Ear Disease DIAGNOSIS:
- Otoscopic Exam
- Cytology
- Culture
- Imagining: radiographs, scope, CT, MRI
Bulldog Ear Disease PREVENTIVE CARE:
Bulldog Ear Cleaning & Wiping
Bulldog Ear Therapeutic Supplements:
Dr. Kraemer’s affordable bully ear disease preventive bundles click HERE
BULLDOG EAR CLEANING STEP-BY-STEP
➡️WIPING: Use an ear bully cleanser to wipe all the debris and junk from the ear folds (pinna)
➡️APPLICATION: Fill your bully ear canal to the top with a proper rinse, making sure to coat the entire canal.
➡️CLEANING: Gently insert a cotton ball into your bulldog’s ear canal using your fingers, pushing it as far as it will go without concern. You can’t reach past the canal’s curve with a cotton ball or finger, so there’s no risk of harming the eardrum. However, Q-tips should be reserved for cleaning only the upper part and the ear-flap folds (pinna).
➡️TWISTING: Twist the cotton ball around and bring it up for inspection.
➡️INSPECTING: Don’t forget to survey the texture and color of the inner pinna (inner part leading to the canal).
How to Prevent & Treat Bulldog and Fr. Bulldog Otitis Ear Infection❓
1. Bulldog Ear Antiseptic Rinse
2. Bulldog Ear Infection Therapeutic Supplements:
- V4B Bully fish oil SKIN-IMMUNE-JOINT
- V4B Bully Immune Support
- V4B Comfort & AcheLess Formula
3. Bulldog and Fr. Bulldog Ear Disease Medication:
- Anti-inflammatory Topicals: usually steroids
- Anti-inflammatories Systemic: usually steroids (injections or oral)
- Topical Antiseptics: drops, ointments, or packs
⚠️WARNING: Neglecting preventive care and the management of mild to moderate ear disease often leads to severe, irreversible conditions. This can ultimately require complex, costly, and intensive procedures, such as ear canal resection, to address the damage.
Bulldog End-Stage Ear Disease TECA SURGERY:
TECA w/ BO (total ear canal ablation with bulla osteotomy) surgery is the only viable treatment for end-stage ear disease and the only way to ensure comfort and a painless life.
Recommended by Owners Approved by Bulldogs
