Subject: Seeking Help for Rocky’s Interdigital Cysts & Limp 🖐️
Rocky, who seems to be dealing with interdigital cysts and a noticeable limp. I’ve observed redness and discomfort in the paw area. I would greatly appreciate your expert advice on how to care for Rocky’s interdigital cysts and address the limp issue.
🙏🏼 Thank you for always being there, Jil & Rocky 🐶💖 #BulldogHealth #PawCare #PawHealth
Interdigital Cyst in Bulldogs and Fr. Bulldogs INTRODUCTION:
Interdigital cysts in bulldogs and French bulldogs are common to the breed and are often a lifelong challenge. Other names for interdigital cysts, though, are not always true interdigital cysts are
- Bulldog Interdigital Furuncles
- Bulldog Follicular Pododermatitis
- Bulldog Podofurunculosis
WHAT IS A CYST?
A cyst is a closed sac structure filled with liquid.
WHAT IS A BULLDOG INTERDIGTAL CYST?
Genuine interdigital cysts are visible beneath the toes and usually stem from paw injuries, particularly trauma to the hair follicles within the paw.
HOW DO BULLDOG INTERDITIAL CYSTS HAPPEN?
Interdigital follicular cysts usually result from trauma to the hairy skin of the paws, which causes irritation and plugging of the hair follicles that become dilated and eventually rupture.
ARE ALL BULLDOG INTERDIGITAL CYST INFECTED?
The body’s natural response to this irritation is inflammation, marked by redness, swelling, pain, and the formation of a pus-filled blister around the ingrown hair. In more severe cases, the blister may rupture and bleed, creating an open wound that is vulnerable to further infection.
The web-ingrown bent hair shaft causes an inflammatory response presented by the typical bloody infected blister.
If the dilatated cyst raptures further inflammation and secondary bacterial and yeast infections are likely.
WHERE ON THE PAW CAN I FIND AN INTERDIGITAL CYST?
Although lesions usually originate from the bottom of the paw, the cysts tend to progress to the dorsal interdigital surface where owners usually notice them.
Bulldog Interdigital Cyst 5 X MUST KNOW
- Commonly seen between the toes as a raised, rosy, inflamed cystic, ulcerative lesion.
- It’s mostly due to injuries to the hair shaft and follicles due to webbing and traumatic implantation.
- It can be blistery and infected, painful, and difficult to walk on.
- Treatment includes antiseptic therapeutics (wipes, rinse, spray, lotion) and soaking.
- Prevention includes Dr. Kraemer’s Interdigital Cyst Care Bundles
Members of this bulldog community prefer prevention over RX
Interdigital Cyst in Bulldogs SYMPTOMS:
Interdigital cysts manifest as bright, red, puffy, and sometimes erupting lesions in the web. They can be itchy and painful leading to constant itch and limping.
- COLOR: Red, Swollen
- BLISTER: Blood-filled blister
- PAIN: Limping & Pain
- ITCH: Itching, Licking & Biting
- INFECTION: Rupture of the “cyst” leading to an infection
Interdigital Cyst in Bulldogs RULE OF THUMB:
Interdigital cysts are often a lifelong cyclical problem that requirs lifelong prevention and care
What Causes Bulldog and French Bulldog Interdigital Cyst?
Several factors contribute to follicular trauma and cyst development, bulldogs are predisposed to interdigital cysts due to:
1. BULLDOG PAW & BODY ANATOMY:
- Confirmation problems: Inherent stocky body types and short legs
- Excessive prominent webbing
- Thick, thorny hairs: stubby hairshaft can easily injure the skin and tissue
- Skinfolds: causing bulldog skinfold moist dermatitis
- Wide paw, Distance pads: bulldogs have wider paws and a greater distance between digital pads, therefore bearing more weight on the haired skin between their toe pads.
- Overweight: Overweight dogs are at higher risk
2. INTERDIGITAL CYST INGROWN HAIR SHAFT & WEBBING
HAIR & COAT: Compared to other breeds, bulldogs and Fr. bulldogs have a predisposition to thicker, coarser hair that is more likely to grow in the wrong direction, especially within the warm, moist environment between their toes.
HAIR & WEBBING: This thick, coarse hair, often described as “thorny” or “bristly,” tends to grow incorrectly within the warm, moist spaces between their toes, folds, and webbing.
BACTERIA: These ingrown hairs can irritate and puncture the delicate skin, sparking inflammation and providing an ideal environment for bacterial growth
3. INTERDIGITAL CYST TRAMAUTIC IMPLANTAION:
The bristly hair itself acts like a miniature harpoon, pushing dirt, debris, and even broken hair shafts deeper into the skin. This penetration heightens inflammation and fosters the formation of blistery cysts around the foreign material.
Interdigital cysts develop as a result of ingrown hair shafts and trauma from bristly hair. Traumatic implantation can further push the hair backward into the follicle, exacerbating the issue.
Exercise and walking will exacerbate and even reverse the movement of the prickly, stubby hair shaft
4. INFECTION LEADING TO INTERDIGITAL CYST:
Secondary skin infections, typically a mix of bacteria and yeast, can exasperate or lead to interdigital cysts
- Bulldog bacterial dermatitis
- Bulldog yeast dermatitis
5. INTERDIGITAL CYSTS AND BULLDOG SKIN MITES:
Skin mites can trigger and exasperate itching and licking.
- Bulldog Demodex Red Mite
- Bulldog Sarcoptic Mange
6. BULLDOG ORTHOPEDIC PROBLEMS AND LIMPING:
Bulldogs with orthopedic or back problems often bear extra weight on the least painful leg, applying more pressure on the toes.
Common examples are
- Bulldog hip dysplasia
- IVDD
- Bulldog Arthritis
- Bulldog Veterbral Arthrtis
- Bulldog and Fr. Bulldog MPL
- ACL injures
7. INTERDIGITAL CYSTS AND BULLDOG ALLERGIES:
Allergies are usually associated with itching and licking that cause additional trauma to the hair follicles.
Bulldogs and French bulldogs have a high propensity for common allergies
- Bulldog itch atopic dermatitis
- Bulldog food allergy
- Bulldog pododermatitis
- Bulldog contact allergy
8. ENVIRONMENTAL TRAUMA LEADING TO INTERDIGITAL CYSTS
Environmental trauma include
- cage and kennel injuries
- surface injuries
- thermal injuries from hot asphalt
- foreign body like grass and foxtail
9. BULLDOG HORMONAL DISEASES
Endocrine conditions like Cushing’s and hypothyroidism can lead to obesity and a suppressed immune system, increasing the risk of yeast and bacterial infections.
10. INTERDIGITAL CYST BACKWARD PENETRATION:
The bristly hair, exacerbated by scratching or licking, can push the ingrown hair shaft and any trapped debris further into the follicle. This deeper penetration leads to a more chronic and potentially more painful cyst, elevating the risk of infection, pain, and other complications.
Interdigital Cyst in Bulldogs DIAGNOSTIC TESTS:
- Skin scrape: checking for mites like demodicosis
- Cytology: testing for Bacteria and Yeast organisms
- Skin cultures: bacteria types
- Needle Aspirate:
- Skin biopsies: Histopathology
Interdigital Cyst in Bulldogs: PREVENT & TREAT
Left untreated, interdigital cysts can become chronic and painful, significantly impacting your bulldog’s quality of life. They can also worsen due to secondary bacterial infections, leading to further complications. Therefore, early intervention is crucial.
Interdigital cysts require long-term therapy which ideally combines
- Therapeutic supplements
- Therapeutic antiseptic topicals
1. INTERDIGITAL CYST COMPRESS & SOAKING:
An inexpensive, safe, and effective bulldog interdigital cyst care and maintenance method is a daily soak with lukewarm water mixed with
2. ANTISEPTIC BULLY THERAPEUTICS:
Daily prevention and care with anti-yeast and antibacterial medicated products:
- V4B Bully Antiseptic XL Skin Fold Wipes
- V4B Bully Antiseptic Skinfold rinse
- V4B Antiseptic Skinfold Spray
- V4B Antiseptic Lotion
3. BULLDOG THERAPEUTIC SUPPLEMENTS
Ideally, the therapeutic antiseptic topicals are combined with therapeutic supplements
A. PAIN RELIEF:
B. ANTI-INFLAMMATORIES:
C. IMMUNE BOOSTER:
D. ARTHRITIS RELIEF
- V4B Bully Total Joints Formula Chews
- V4B Bully HEMP Mobile Formula
4. PRESCRIPTION MEDICATION
There are a wide range of medications that are often prescribed, including topical and systemic
- pain relief
- anti-inflammatories
- antibiotics
- antifungal
- itch control
A. PAIN RELIEF (RX):
- NSAID
- Gabapentin
- Tramadol
- Steroid
B. TOPICAL OINTMENTS (RX):
Topical antibacterials with cortisone ointments like mupirocin and paralog are sometimes necessary.
C. SYSTEMIC ANTISEPTICS (RX):
In instances of a severe bulldog interdigital cyst, systemic prescription medications may be necessary.
- systemic antibiotics
- systemic antifungal
D. SYSTEMIC ANTI-INFLAMMATORY AND ITCH CONTROL (RX):
- anti-inflammatory
- anti-itching medication
- Cortisone(prednisone) The prescription will usually be in the form of cortisone or, preferably, a non-steroidal drug like
- Apoquel
- Cytopoint
- Cyclosporine.
E. NON-RX MODALITIES:
I often recommend non-pharmaceutical, anti-inflammatory healing modalities.
Those bulldogs either reacted adversely to the traditional oral and injectable medications or failed to improve on those drugs.
- Pulse Electromagnetic Therapy (PEMT)
- Class 4 Cold laser therapy.
- Laser Therapy
F. STEM CELL THERAPY:
I have successfully treated non-responsive, severe cases of interdigital cysts bulldogs with Stem Cell Therapy and Cryobanking
Stem cell therapy is a cutting-edge regenerative medicine technology.
Interdigital Cyst Surgery FUSION PODOPLASTY
When dealing with bulldog interdigital cysts seek advice from a qualified veterinarian experienced in treating this condition. They can properly diagnose the cause of the cysts, assess the severity, and recommend the most appropriate treatment plan based on your bulldog’s individual needs.
INTERDIGITAL CYST SURGERY WARNING:
⚠️Many bulldog owners are offered surgery options by an inexperienced veterinarian who just digs, cuts, and probes the blister as a quick fix, those types of surgeries are useless and should never be done except for foxtail removal
It could ultimately cause more harm than good and only exasperate the condition
- Tissue trauma
- Introducing infectious microorganisms
- Further trauma to the hair follicle
- Exhaspbrate itching
- Impede healing due to post-up inflammation
Its goes without saying that any surgery include the inherent anesthetic risks
A comprehensive and tailored approach focused on addressing the underlying causes and minimizing additional trauma is key to effectively managing interdigital cysts and ensuring your bulldog’s comfort and well-being.
FUSION PODOPLASTY INTERDIGITAL SURGERY
Fusion podoplasty is a reconstructive salvage procedure involving the removal of diseased interdigital skin tissues. The phalanges and digital metacarpal/metatarsal pads are then sutured together in apposition to close the resulting skin wound defects.
- LAST RESORT: Fusion podoplasty surgery should only be done as a last resort; it is a salvage procedure
- EXPERIENCE SURGON: Fusion podoplasty should only be done by an experienced surgeon who has already performed the procedure successfully.
INTERDIGITAL CYSTE CO2 LASER ABLATION
CO2 laser ablation is a minimally invasive surgical procedure used to treat interdigital cysts that involves using a carbon dioxide laser to precisely target and remove interdigital cysts.
Post-Operative Surgical Management for Interdigital Cysts
Post-operative surgical management demands careful attention, proving to be a time-consuming process.
Initial Phase:
- Daily Wound Management: Regular cleaning and monitoring of the surgical site are crucial to prevent infection and ensure proper healing.
- Bandage Changes: Daily bandage changes help keep the wound clean and protected, promoting a sterile environment for recovery.
- Use of Splint: A splint may be necessary to alleviate tension in the wound, providing stability and support to the affected area.
Hospitalization:
- Confinement and Care: A few days of hospitalization are recommended to ensure proper confinement, nursing care, and oversight by an experienced veterinary team.
- Monitoring: Continuous monitoring by veterinary professionals helps manage any complications that may arise and ensures the best care during the critical initial recovery phase.
Post-Hospitalization Care:
- Protective Boot: Following discharge, it is advisable to wear a protective boot on the foot for approximately six weeks. This protects the wound from external factors and reduces the risk of re-injury.
- Home Care Instructions: Follow all post-operative care instructions provided by the veterinarian, including medication administration, activity restriction, and any additional wound care procedures.
Bulldog fusion podoplasty surgery is the last resort option and should be considered if all medical avenues have failed!
Interdigital Cysts TIPS & WARNINGS:
Below are a few must-know tips & warnings listed by Dr. Kraemer
#1🩺 BULLDOG INTERDIGITAL CYST ALLERGY TIP:
If your Bulldog or French Bulldog suffers from interdigital cysts and itching in the belly, ears, and other areas, allergies should be suspected as an underlying cause or contributing factor.
- FOOD ALLERGY: When, in addition to interdigital cysts, your Bulldog is also suffering from gastrointestinal problems like indigestion and gas, you should consider food allergies as a contributing condition. I recommend a 3–4 month trial prescription hypoallergenic elimination diet with a novel protein or hydrolyzed protein.
- ATOPIC ALLERGY: should be controlled with itch-control medication.
Regardless of the allergies and type of allergies you should always implement preventive & care by combing therapeutic topicals and supplements
#2🩺 INTERDIGITAL CYST TREATMENT TIP:
Treating interdigital cysts might require systemic medication for
- Inflammation
- Pain
- Yeast
- Bacteria
The treatment should continue for a few weeks and often requires a much longer treatment duration.
#3🩺 INTERDIGITAL CYST WEIGHT LOSS TIP:
Overweight Bulldogs face an increased risk of interdigital cysts due to abnormal weight-bearing distribution leading to heightened friction between the skin and footpads. Initiating a weight loss plan for overweight Bulldogs can be beneficial in mitigating this risk.
#4🩺 BULLDOG IMMUNOTHERAPY TIP:
If atopic dermatitis is suspected, a Cytopoint injection should be given as it is safe and effective for treating atopic dermatitis.
A VARL test is recommended to help identify the environmental allergen, followed by immunotherapy. Immunotherapy can save the owner money by reducing their dependency on anti-itch and antibiotic drugs.
Immunotherapy is a safe, cost-effective, and medically effective treatment option for the long-term control of bulldog atopic dermatitis.
#1⚠️INTERDIGITAL CYST DURATION WARNING:
A recurrent chronic interdigital cyst could be attributed to inappropriate antibiotic therapy, which may include a course that is too short, an incorrect dosage, or the use of the wrong drug.
#2⚠️ MULTI-DRUG RESISTANCE WARNING:
Given the growing prevalence of multi-drug-resistant bacterial infections, such as MRSP, conduct cultures for non-resolving interdigital cyst cases. This is particularly important for cases currently undergoing empirical antibiotic treatment.
#3⚠️ INTERDIGITAL BLISTER FRICTION WARNING:
Any chronic friction between the opposing surfaces of your bulldog’s toes can cause an interdigital cyst.
#4⚠️ BULLDOG STEROID WARNING:
Dependency and excessive use of steroids can lead to serious adverse effects. There are new, non-steroidal anti-itch medications and injections on the market, as well as non-pharmaceutical, anti-inflammatory, healing modalities like stem cell therapy, PRP, PEMT, and cold laser therapy.
#5⚠️ ARTHRITIS WARNING:
Like obesity, arthritic pain will often cause an uneven weight distribution, exacerbating the cyst condition
#6⚠️ FOXTAIL WARNING:
Interdigital cysts in bulldogs can be confused with a foreign body like a foxtail.
#7⚠️ INTERDIGITAL BLISTER SCARING WARNING:
Ongoing chronic bulldog interdigital infections can lead to secondary scarring.
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