Subject: Bella’s Bacterial Dermatitis 🐾😔 #BulldogHealth #SkinCare Dr. Kraemer, I’m writing to express my concern about my beloved bulldog, Bella, who seems to be struggling with a bad skin infection. I’ve noticed Warm regards, The Smith Family & Bella the bully 🐶💖 #BulldogMom #SkinInfection
Three courses in a year with the same picture returning is the pattern that eventually produces the word you were told, so I am glad you are asking now rather than after a fourth.
The first thing to understand is that the bacteria behind most of these infections already live on your dog. They are not caught from anywhere. They cause trouble when the skin stops defending itself properly, and in this breed that is usually allergy, sometimes a hormone problem, occasionally parasites. So a course of antibiotics clears the bacteria and leaves the reason untouched, which is exactly why it comes back on schedule.
That detail about scratching in between is the one I would put in front of your veterinarian. A dog who is itchy when his skin looks clear is telling you the itch is the primary problem and the infection is the passenger. Chasing the passenger three times a year will not change the itinerary.
So what to ask for. First, a look at the cells under the microscope rather than treating blind, and a culture if this keeps returning, so the drug is chosen rather than guessed. Second, a plan for the itch itself, which is a different conversation and the one that actually breaks the cycle. Third, more topical treatment and less oral, because for surface and superficial infections a properly used antiseptic shampoo or gel does a great deal of the work and does not drive resistance the way repeated courses do.
Our antiseptic range sits alongside whatever your veterinarian prescribes rather than in place of it. Used consistently it keeps the bacterial load down between flares, which is the part that buys you fewer courses. Supplements that support the skin barrier may help over a good few weeks. None of that replaces finding out why his skin is giving way in the first place.
Introduction To Bulldog and French Bulldog Skin Infection
Pyoderma is derived from Latin and stands for bacterial infection of purulent skin (pus). One of the most commonly recognized bacteria responsible for skin infections is Staphylococcus pseudointermedius.
These bacteria are usually part of the skin’s normal microflora, but when there’s an overgrowth or damage to the skin barrier, they can cause an infection.
Bulldog Bacteria Skin Infection 5 Must Know
- There are three types: surface (mild/common), superficial (moderate/common), and deep (rare/severe).
- Due to the overuse of antibiotics, we see a higher number of multidrug-resistant bacterial infections.
- Antibiotics are not needed for surface pyoderma and often make the problem worse.
- Bully therapeutics should be used for all skin infections; they are often superior to medication.
- Prevention and care include Dr. Kraemer’s Bulldog Skin Infection Bundles.
Members of this bulldog community prefer prevention over RX
Skin Infections in Bulldogs Pyoderma Types
There are three types of pyoderma: two are common, and the third is rare.
1. Bulldog surface skin infection
Surface pyoderma, characterized by a bacterial infection of the skin surface, is often referred to as a “hot spot”.” Typically, this infection is mild and can be effectively treated with nonprescription topical therapeutics. The most commonly associated bacteria with surface pyoderma is Staphylococcus pseudointermedius.
2. Bulldog superficial skin infection
It is a common bacterial infection within the skin, typically ranging from mild to moderate in severity. In some cases, prescription medication may be necessary based on cytology findings.
3. Bulldog deep pyoderma
Deep pyoderma is a rare bacterial infection located beneath the skin. It is typically a more severe infection, often necessitating systemic antibacterial treatment.
Bulldogs affected by deep pyoderma can become ill and may require immediate medical attention.
Antibiotics are not the default here
This is the page where I part company with how a lot of skin infections get treated, so I will be direct about it. The reflex when a dog comes in with sore, infected looking skin is a course of oral antibiotics. For surface pyoderma, the mild and by far the most common type, that reflex is usually wrong. Bathing and topical antiseptic care handle it, and the antibiotic adds side effects, cost, damage to the gut bacteria, and a push toward resistant organisms, in exchange for very little.
I am not against antibiotics. Deep pyoderma needs them, often for a good while and chosen from a culture rather than a guess, and a dog who is genuinely unwell with his skin needs seeing today rather than bathing. The distinction is the whole point of the section above on the three types. Get the type right and the treatment follows; get it wrong and you either undertreat something serious or you reach for a drug that was never going to help.
The other half of this, and the half owners most often skip, is that pyoderma is almost never the whole diagnosis. Something let those bacteria in. Usually it is itching from allergy, sometimes it is folds that never dry, occasionally it is a hormonal problem or a drug suppressing the immune system. Clear the infection without finding that, and you will clear it again in two months, and again after that.
What Causes Skin Infection in Bulldogs and French Bulldogs?
There are a few underlying causes the most common of which are itching allergies that lead to an instability of the skin barrier and immune-compromised dog which effect the skin normal microbiome. Below is a short list of the main reasons leading to skin infection:
1. Skin infection due to faulty genetics
There is evidence suggesting that genetic factors play a significant role in the predisposition of bulldogs to skin infections.
2. Skin infection due to allergies
Bulldogs are prone to allergies and skin diseases.
- Food allergy
- Atopic environmental allergy
- Flea allergy
- Contact allergy
Itching leads to skin injury, and damages the skin’s defensive barrier allowing secondary bacterial infections.
3. Skin infection due to immune suppression
Drugs & Infections:
Various drugs suppress your bulldog’s immune system, the most common of which are:
- Cortisone: Steroids are immune suppressants.
- Chemotherapy: weakens the immune system and white blood cell count
Hormonal disease:
- Cushing: abnormally high endogenous cortisones.
- Hypothyroid: Low thyroid levels weaken the immune system
- Diabetes
Chronic Disease & Stress
- Parasitic infection: weakens the immune system
- Stress will suppress the immune system
- Poor nutrition
- Other chronic illness
Bulldog Skin Infections can Extend to The Ears and Wrinkles
The ears and wrinkles are the extension of the skin
1. Skin fold moist infection dermatitis
- Face
- Nose
- Tail
- Vaginal
- Paws
2. Bulldog acne
- Chin
- Lips
What Are The Symptoms of Skin Infections and Bulldog Pyoderma?
- Itching & Scratching
- Redness, puffiness, and inflamed Skin
- Baldness, Alopecia, and Hair Loss
- Oozing, draining tracks
- Pus lesions (Pustules)
- Pain
How To Diagnose Bulldog Pyoderma and Skin Infections?
- Exam
- Scrape: checking for mites
- Cytology: checking for inflammatory cells, yeast, and bacteria
- Allergy Testing: food trials and blood VARL test
- Fungal Culture
- Blood & Hormonal tests
- Culture & Sensitivity:
Culture is only required for unresolved infections that do not respond to antibiotic treatment.
Examples are:
- MRSP: the common staph bacteria that mutates and is no longer responsive to the common antibiotics.
- Gram-negative bacteria and other less common skin pathogens.
Skin Infection Bulldog Pyoderma Preventive Care
- Identifying and managing the underlying immune suppressant disease
- Avoiding immune suppressant drugs
- A balanced, quality diet
- a stress-free, loving environment
- BULLDOG THERAPEUTICS:
- Topical bully Therapeutics
- Bully therapeutic Supplements
Bulldog and French Bulldog Skin Infection Treatment
Treatment depends on the severity and type of the pyoderma
1. Treating Bulldog surface skin infection
BATHING: Bathing helps remove allergens and dead skin and is soothing MEDICATED ANTISEPTIC SHAMPOO
ANTISEPTIC SPRAY AND GELS
- Yeasty Bully Antiseptic No-Rinse Gel
- Hot Spot Bully Antiseptic Spray
IMMUNE & INFLAMMATION
- Bully Fish Oil
- Bully Immune Support
GUT MICROBIOME
- Bully Pre/Probiotics LOAD UP
- Bully Digestive Enzymes Probiotic KEEP UP
CALM & RELAX
- Bully StressLess
- Bully HEMP Calm
WARNING: Antibiotics are not recommended for surface skin infection; they are mostly ineffective and can compound the problem by selecting resistant bacteria and by its negative effect on the gut microbiome (good gut bacteria)
Bathing and bully therapeutics are usually all that is required.
2. Treating Bulldog superficial skin infection
Bully therapeutic is often combined with antibiotics
- Bathing
- Antibiotics: based on cytology (cocci). Usually for 3 to 4 weeks
- Itch control RX
- Bully Therapeutics: same as a surface skin infection
Dr. Kraemer’s Bully Therapeutics BEFORE & AFTER
3. Treating Bulldog deep pyoderma
Deep skin infection requires antibiotics and often for multiple pathogens.
- Bathing
- Antibiotics are based on culture and sensitivity. Usually for 6 to 8 weeks
- Itch control RX
- Laser Therapy
- Stem Cell Therapy
- Bully Therapeutics: same as a surface skin infection
WARNING: The underlying condition such as an underlying immune suppression disease must be identified for the treatment to be effective.
- Hypothyroid: Thyroid tablets
- Cushing’s: Trilostane
- Parasites: Dewormings and Topical preventives
WARNING: Immune support cause is not always a disease. Often it’s due to overzealous use of cortisone such as for itch control
Topical therapy is treatment, not grooming
Most owners file medicated shampoo somewhere between a bath and a haircut. It is in the bathroom cupboard next to the brush. That filing is the reason it gets used when there is time rather than when it is needed.
I would move it to the medicine shelf. For surface and superficial infections, a properly used antiseptic shampoo, gel or wipe is doing the same job the tablet is doing, directly on the skin where the bacteria are, and the profession has been moving steadily in that direction for years. Fewer oral courses, more topical work, better long term outcomes in the dogs who keep relapsing.
There is a second reason, and it is the one that matters beyond your own dog. Bacteria on the skin do not become resistant to a bath. They do become resistant to repeated courses of the same antibiotic, and when that happens in this breed we end up choosing from a much shorter list, sometimes a list that involves injections and a specialist.
Think of it as the difference between washing the kitchen counter and taking something for food poisoning. Both have a place. Only one of them is a plan.
Two conditions though. It has to be the right product for what is actually growing, which is a reason to have the cells looked at rather than guessing. And it has to be used properly, which mostly means leaving it on the skin long enough to work. I have written out how to actually bathe a Bulldog on the dry and flaky skin page, and it applies here word for word.
None of this is a reason to refuse or stop an antibiotic your veterinarian has prescribed. It is a reason to ask whether the topical side of the plan is doing as much as it could.
Bulldog Skin Infection: Benefit of Bully Therapeutic
There are major advantages to the early and frequent use of bully therapeutics. These advantages include:
- SPEED: Speeding the resolution of the skin infection
- RANGE: Limits multidrug-resistant bacteria
- WASH: Washing bacteria and allergens off the skin
- POTENT: Highly effective for superficial and surface pyoderma
- DURATION: Reduces the duration of antibiotic treatment
- MRSP: Effective against multidrug-resistant bacteria like MRSP
- KERATOLYTIC: Removes dander, scale, and flakes
- ITCHLESS: Soothing and itch relief
- HYDRATION: Hydrating the skin
- LOW COST
- NON-RX (no prescription is required)
- @ HOME
- EASY TO IMPLEMENT
- VERY SAFE
- NO SIDE EFFECTS
Bully waterless antiseptic gels
Dr. Kraemer’s provides a medicated no-rise antiseptic gel for those pets who are difficult to bath or for those owners with limited time or who do not own a bathtub Compliance is critical.
On most pages I am explaining why a product is a supporting act. Here it is the main one, for the mild and moderate infections at least. Medicated bathing and antiseptic care physically remove bacteria, allergens and dead skin from the surface, which is exactly what a surface infection needs, and they do it without selecting for resistant bacteria the way a course of tablets does. One practical point that decides whether a medicated shampoo works: it has to stay on the skin for a good ten minutes before you rinse. Most people rinse too soon and conclude it did nothing.
These are topicals, so they belong alongside whatever your veterinarian has prescribed rather than in place of it, and the treatment decision is theirs. The Basic bundle covers a straightforward case, and the Ultimate is built for the Bulldog who keeps coming back to this. If bathing is difficult in your house, the waterless antiseptic gel does the job between baths, which matters more than it sounds, because the treatment that actually gets used beats the better treatment that does not. Our supplements may help support the skin barrier and the gut microbiome from the inside over a good few weeks.
To be clear: supplements or topicals are not substitutes for prescribed treatment. If your dog is unwell, is being treated for a condition, or is already on medication, review any supplement or topical with your veterinarian so it fits the plan you are already following. This page is educational and is not a diagnosis or a treatment plan for your own dog.
Bulldog and French Bulldog Skin Infection Tips & Warnings
Below are selective pyoderma tips and warnings courtesy of Dr. Kraemer
#1. Bully therapeutics tip
Prevention and management of any skin infection should always include topical therapeutics.
Most medicated shampoos must remain on the skin for at least 10 minutes before rinse.
#2. Waterless antiseptic gel tip
Dr. Kraemer’s bully waterless no-rinse antiseptic gel can be used in between shampoo bathing days.
#3. Bulldog stress & anxiety tip
Chronic stress and poor nutrition can suppress the immune system thus increasing the odds of pyoderma.
#1. Skin infection antibiotic warning
It is a widespread practice among veterinarians to prescribe empirical systemic antibiotics as the “go-to” treatment; it is often not required and, at times, harmful, always remember our “Do No Harm” cardinal rule Topical nonprescription medicated therapy and baths should always be the default “go-to” treatment in surface and superficial pyoderma. 
#2. Skin infection underlying cause warning
Addressing the underlying cause is crucial. If allergies are the root issue, it’s essential to control the itch. If the immune system is compromised, efforts should be made to address the underlying cause and boost the immune system through
- stress reduction
- balanced diet
- appropriate therapeutic supplements
#3. Skin infection treatment duration warning
Antibiotic treatment usually requires a few weeks of treatment. If you stop the treatment too soon, the infection can reoccur or become more resistant to the common drugs.
#4. Skin infection cortisone warning
Remember many of the itch control medications contain cortisone, which can make the infection worse
#5. Skin infection multidrug resistance warning
Over the last decade, we have seen a steep rise in multidrug-resistant bacteria, mostly due to overuse or inappropriate use of antibiotics. MRSP is the common Staphylococcus aureus that becomes resistant to the commonly prescribed antibiotics.
Skin Infection in Bulldogs and French Bulldogs Summary
All skin infections and pyodermas should include nonprescription bully therapeutics Re-checks and follow-up exams are critical, especially for deep pyoderma cases
My vet did not give antibiotics. Should I ask for them?
Can I catch it, or can my other dog?
Does the shampoo really need to sit for ten minutes?
It clears up and comes back every couple of months. What are we missing?
The cortisone stops the itching. Why would that be a problem?
How long before his skin looks normal again?
Is a hot spot the same as pyoderma?
More Help from Dr. Kraemer
Pyoderma is almost always secondary. These pages cover what tends to be underneath it:
- Itchy skin and allergy in Bulldogs
- Yeast infection, which often travels with it
- Skin fold dermatitis
- Hot spots
- MRSA and MRSP, when the usual drugs stop working
- Hypothyroidism, one hormonal reason skin stops defending itself
References
- Merck Veterinary Manual. Pyoderma in Dogs and Cats
- Merck Veterinary Manual. Antibacterials for Integumentary Disease in Animals
- Merck Veterinary Manual. Principles of Topical Treatment in Animals
- AAHA. Management of Allergic Skin Diseases in Dogs and Cats Guidelines
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