Subject: Seeking Help for Max’s Food Allergy Symptoms 🐾😔 #BulldogHealth #FoodAllergy
Dear Dr. Kraemer, Max seems to be struggling with both his GI tract and skin. I’ve noticed digestive issues and skin irritation, which are causing Max significant discomfort. Can it be his food? Should I start him on a grain-free diet? How best to treat food allergies in bulldogs?
Warm regards, [Your Name] & Max 🐶💖 #BulldogMom #FoodAllergyCare
Food Allergy in Bulldogs and Fr. Bulldogs Introduction:
Food allergies in bulldogs and French bulldogs can affect the digestive tract and the skin. However, many bulldog owners mistakenly believe that their pet’s digestive or skin issues are solely due to a “food allergy,” leading them to change their pet’s diet. In reality, most of these problems are not food-related.
Even in cases where food allergies are present, owners often misunderstand how to correctly implement a “hypoallergenic” diet and the necessary trial duration. This can lead to inaccurate conclusions and ineffective treatments.
Bulldog Food Allergy 5 X MUST KNOW
- A food allergy can manifest as a gastrointestinal problem as well as a skin one.
- Food allergies are mostly due to the diet’s protein source, not the grain
- The best way to test for bulldog food allergy is to do a few-week trial on a hypoallergenic diet
- Treatment often requires a hypoallergenic diet, itch control, bully topical and supplement therapeutics
- Prevention and care include Dr. Kraemer’s Bulldog Food Allgery Control Bundles.
Members of this bulldog community prefer prevention over RX
Digestive Problems In Bulldogs:
Gastrointestinal problems are less likely to be due to food allergies and more likely to be due to:
- Intestinal parasites
- Intestinal virus
- Bacteria gastroenteritis
- Indiscretion eating
Skin and Itching Problems in Bulldogs:
Dermal conditions are less likely due to food allergies and more likely due to:
- Bulldog atopic dermatitis (environmental allergens)
- Flea allergy
- Bacteria and yeast dermatitis
- Contact allergy
- Skin mites
Seasonal versa Year Around Allergies
➡️ YEAR-AROUND ALLERGIES: Allergies that persist year-round typically indicate food allergies
➡️ SEASONAL ALLERGIES: seasonal issues are unlikely to be related to food and are more likely to be atopic or fleas.
GASTROINTESTINAL vs. SKIN MANIFESTATION ALLERGIES:
🚨If your bulldog is experiencing skin and digestive problems, food allergies should be prioritized on your list of potential causes.
What are The Most Common Symptoms Of Bulldog Food Allergy Dermatitis?
Common symptoms include
- itching
- hair loss
- erythema (redness)
- flakes
- seborrhea
- secondary bacteria or/and yeast infection
What are The Most Common Symptoms Of Bulldog Food Allergy Gastroenteritis?
Symptoms include:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Flatulence
- Distended abdomen
- Abdominal pain
Milder forms of food allergies may manifest with symptoms such as frequent belly rumbling and flatulence (yes, the type that makes everyone recoil). However, your bulldog might also experience more severe symptoms like diarrhea, vomiting, and abdominal pain.
Food Allergy In Bulldogs and Fr. Bulldogs DIAGNOSIS:
➡️ Wellness: Before initiating a hypoallergenic food trial, it’s essential to conduct thorough wellness checks and diagnostic assessments.
➡️ Seasonal vs. Year-Round: If your bulldog exhibits skin dermatitis consistently associated with food allergies (such as year-round itching rather than seasonal fluctuations), prioritizing food allergies on your list of potential causes is advisable.
➡️ Serum Testing: While some hospitals and labs offer serum allergen tests to categorize protein sources and assess sensitivity levels, these tests are costly, and their results are not considered diagnostically reliable. Neither I nor the accredited dermatologist endorse or recommend them.
➡️ Food Trial: The gold standard for identifying food allergies is a food trial. The duration of the trial depends on whether the allergy affects the gastrointestinal tract or the skin.
BULLDOG GASTROENTERITIS FOOD ALLERGY TRIAL:
- A minimum trial period of 2–3 weeks with a hypoallergenic elimination diet is necessary
- Your adherence to this strict regimen is crucial for accurate results.
- I strongly advise using a prescribed hypoallergenic diet during this trial period
- It is imperative to strictly avoid any scraps of food, treats, or chewable medicine during the trial period.
A minimum trial period of 2–3 weeks
🚨Challenge: If your bulldog’s gastroenteritis shows improvement during the 2-3-week trial, a challenge with the previous diet is recommended to confirm the diagnosis.
OTHER TESTING FOR SUSPECTED BULLDOG ALLERGIC GASTROENTERITIS
➡️ FECAL TEST (Test for Intestinal Parasites):
- smear
- PCR
➡️ BLOOD TEST:
- CBC & Chemstires
- IBD screen
- GI Panel
➡️ IMAGING:
- Radiographs
- Ultrasound
BULLDOG FOOD ALLERGY DERMATITIS TESTING:
- A minimum trial period of 8-10 weeks with a hypoallergenic elimination diet is necessary.
- During this time, strict adherence is essential, meaning no table scraps, treats, or chewable medicine are allowed.
- I strongly recommend using a prescription hypoallergenic diet for the duration of the trial.
A minimum trial period of 8-10 weeks
🚨Challenge: If the skin dermatitis and itching improve by the end of the trial, it is recommended to reintroduce the previous diet to confirm the diagnosis.
OTHER TESTING FOR SUSPECTED BULLDOG SKIN DERMATITIS
➡️ CYTOLOGY: looking for Bacteria & Yeast organisms and various cell types
➡️ SKIN SCRAPE: looking for Demodex & Sacropitic skin Mites
➡️ DTM: fungal culture to help rule out ringworm
How to Prevent Food Allergy in Bulldogs and Fr. Bulldogs?
Allergic reactions are commonly triggered by the primary protein source in the diet, typically derived from animal meats such as:
- Chicken
- Beef,
- Turkey
- Fish
- Etc.
In normal times, a high-quality and balanced pet diet is ideal for your bully’s good health.
🩺 ORGANIC NON-PROCESSED DIET TIP: Offering fresh, organic, unprocessed fruits and vegetables to your bully is commendable, but it’s important to be cautious and avoid potentially toxic options like onions and grapes (including raisins).
1. BULLDOG FOOD ALLERGY HYPOALLERGENIC DIET PREVENTION:
When a bulldog food allergy is suspected, a hypoallergenic elimination diet is usually required.
The hypoallergenic diet could be either:
- NOVEL DIET: A prescription novel protein
- HYDROLYZED DIET: is a prescription hydrolyzed protein diet
- PURIFIED AMINO ACID: a prescription diet
- HOME-COOKED NOVEL: or a home-cooked novel protein diet
🚨 Bulldog Food Allergy Hypoallergenic Diet Challenge: At the conclusion of the trial, if your bulldog’s symptoms have significantly improved, I recommend reintroducing their previous diet as a diagnostic challenge. Any gastrointestinal or skin issues are likely to reappear within a few days to two weeks of starting this reintroduction.
If the original clinical issues resurface during this challenge, it strongly indicates that your bulldog has a food allergy, necessitating long-term commitment to a strict hypoallergenic diet.
2. FOOLD ALLERGY BULLY THERAPEUTICS:
bully therapeutic supplements and topicals can also help prevent and manage allergies.
- Bully Fish Oil EFA
- Bully Skin & Coat Derma Care Tab
- Bully Immune Support
- Bully Pre/Probiotic & Digestive Enzymes
- Bully Gentle Move Fiber Formula
- Bully ItchLess Bundles
- Bully Hypoallergenic Bundles
🩺Bully Therapeutic Supplements Tip: While Dr. Kraemer’s Bully Supplements are low allergen, during the trial period, it’s essential to stick strictly to the prescribed diet. Avoid giving treats, oral fleas, heartworm preventives, or any other oral chews, as these could interfere with the accuracy of the trial results.
GRAIN-FREE DIET MYTH 🔍
Grain-free diets are a popular choice among bulldog owners seeking a remedy for medical issues associated with food allergies.
⚠️ Many bulldog owners often associate food allergies with grains; however, the primary culprit is usually the protein source found in meat.
The most common pet food protein allergens are
- CHICKEN
- BEEF
- FISH
Also on the frequent allergen list are:
- CORN
- SOY
- DAIRY
- EGG
To read more about Grain-Free Diets and Bulldogs (“No Grain Diets”, “Low Grain Diets”)….CLICK HERE
Food Allergy In Bulldog And French Bulldogs TIPS & WARNINGS
Below are selected food allergy tips and warnings, courtesy of Dr. kraemer
#1 🩺 BULLDOG FOOD ALLERGY SEASONAL TIP:
When your bulldog experiences year-round itching and/or otitis (ear infections) alongside gastrointestinal problems, it’s crucial to prioritize food allergies as a primary consideration on your rule-out list.
#2 🩺 BULLDOG FOOD ALLERGY FOOD TRIAL TIP:
The most effective method to diagnose a food allergy is through a strict food trial using a prescription hypoallergenic diet, which can either be a novel protein diet or a hydrolyzed protein prescription diet.
#3 🩺 BULLDOG FOOD ALLERGY NOVEL DIET TIP:
If you chose a trial with a prescription novel protein, I prefer either
- Alligator
- Kangaroo
🛑Caution: Avoid relatives of chickens, beef, and fish, such as:
- duck
- turkey
- venison
- salmon
#4 🩺BULLDOG FOOD ALLERGY DIET SELECTION TIP:
Indeed, it’s crucial to recognize that not all bulldogs are alike. While one bulldog may respond positively to a particular type of hypoallergenic diet, another may not fare as well, and the next bulldog puppy could exhibit entirely different outcomes.
Individual variations in response to hypoallergenic diets highlight the importance of personalized dietary management for each bulldog with suspected food allergies.
#5 🩺 FOOD ALLERGY HYPOALLERGENIC TREATS TIP:
For those struggling to adhere to the trial duration without giving their bully treats, there’s a solution. Many prescription hypoallergenic diets come with hypoallergenic treats. Additionally, these diets are available in cans, which can be used to create prescription “meatball-pill pocket” treats.
This allows you to maintain a strict dietary regimen while still providing your bulldog with treats they enjoy.
#6 🩺 FOOD ALLERGY GRAIN-FREE TIP:
If you suspect your bully’s allergies are related to grains, a grain-free dietary trial should last for the required duration.
During this trial, grains should account for less than one-third (<1/3) of the whole diet, with the remaining two-thirds consisting of meat, animal protein, fruits, and vegetables.
#1 ⚠️ STRICT FOOD ALLERGY WARNING:
It’s essential to understand that the goal of the hypoallergenic diet trial is twofold: to eliminate the offending allergen while ensuring the provision of essential dietary components such as calories and nutrients.
For example, if your child has a severe peanut allergy, their diet must be completely free of peanuts while still meeting all other nutritional requirements.
#2 ⚠️ FOOD ALLERGY IN BULLDOGS OTC WARNING:
If the cost of prescription hypoallergenic diets is prohibitive, you may consider trying over-the-counter (OTC) diets that do not contain common allergens such as soy, corn, chicken, dairy, beef, wheat, or fish. However, it’s important to note that while this is an option, I don’t recommend it as strongly as prescription diets for diagnosing and managing food allergies in bulldogs.
#3 ⚠️ FOOD ALLERGY OTHER PETS WARNING:
During the trial, it’s crucial to ensure that your pets do not share any food items with you or with each other. If you cannot be certain that your dog will not consume the diets of your other pets, I recommend placing all your pets on the hypoallergenic diet during the trial period. This helps to maintain the integrity of the trial and ensures accurate results.
#4 ⚠️ FOOD ALLERGY IN BULLDOGS BLOOD TEST WARNING:
While blood testing can help diagnose atopic dogs, it is not as reliable for identifying food allergies.
The preferred and most effective diagnostic method for food allergies is a strict trial on a hypoallergenic diet followed by a food test challenge.
#5 ⚠️ FOOD ALLERGY FLAVOR WARNING:
Remove everything with flavorings like
- treats and toys
- flavored medication
- flavored supplements
- flea tabs
- dental paste
- supplements containing allergens
- various chews and tab
#6 ⚠️ BULLDOG FOOD ALLERGY IBD WARNING:
Untreated gastrointestinal disease due to food allergies could eventually lead to IBD (inflammatory bile disease) and an irritable bowel.
#7 ⚠️ FOOD ALLERGY TESTING WARNING:
It’s crucial to delay starting the food trial until a comprehensive medical workup has been completed and any existing health issues, such as thyroid dysfunction or gastrointestinal problems (e.g., parasitic infections), have been resolved. Addressing these underlying conditions ensures that the trial results are not influenced by other factors, enabling a more accurate assessment of your bulldog’s condition.
#8 ⚠️FOOD ALLERGY LOW-GRADE DIETS WARNING:
Lower-grade diets pose a higher risk of unwanted adverse effects, such as allergies and immune-mediated diseases like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). This is primarily due to the increased likelihood of unwholesome elements and contaminants present in these diets.
Opting for higher-quality diets can help mitigate these risks and promote better overall health for your bulldog
#9 ⚠️ SUPPLEMENTS IN FOOD ADVERTISEMENT WARNING:
When selecting a diet and choosing the best food for your bully, it’s important not to base your decision solely on advertised “with added supplements.” While these supplements may not harm your bully, they are often more of a marketing tactic than a genuine value addition. Popular supplements like
- fish oil (omega 3 and 6),
- glucosamine,
- chondroitin,
- MSM
- probiotics
are commonly included, but typically, the dosages provided in these diets’ daily feeding recommendations are not sufficient to have a therapeutic impact on medical conditions. Therefore, it’s essential to focus on the overall quality and nutritional balance of the diet rather than solely relying on added supplements.
When medically indicated I recommend supplements to be given separately as a standalone treatment.
#10 ⚠️ FOOD CONTAMINANTS WARNING:
Food allergies can sometimes be attributed to undetected contaminants in grains and meats. This underscores the importance of sourcing high-quality ingredients and ensuring rigorous quality control measures in pet food production to minimize the risk of allergen contamination
Recommended by Owners Approved by Bulldogs