Interdigital Cyst in Bulldogs and French Bulldogs
Interdigital Cyst in Bulldogs and French Bulldogs are common to the breed and is often a lifelong challenge.
Other names for interdigital cysts though are not always one and the same.are:
- Bulldog Interdigital Furuncles
- Bulldog Pododermatitis,
Interdigital Cyst in Bulldogs and French Bulldogs PRESENTATION:
Most owners associate bulldog and French bulldog interdigital cysts can be seen in interdigital web space as bright, red, puffy, and sometimes erupting lesions.
Histologically, the lesions are nodular and not a true cyst (a cyst is a closed sac structure filled with liquid).
True interdigital cysts can be visualized under the toes and are usually due to trauma to the paw, or more precisely injury to the hair follicles embedded in the paw.
Direct injury to the paw hair follicles, know as traumatic implantation, can cause abnormal hair growth and plugging of the follicle.
BULLDOG INTERDIGITAL CYST APPEARANCE
- COLOR: Red, Swollen
- BLISTER: Blood-filled blister
- PAIN: Limping & Pain
- ITCH: Itching, Licking & Biting
- INFECTION: Rupture of the “cyst” leading to an infection
BULLDOG INTERDIGITAL CYSTE RULE of THUMB:
Bulldog interdigital cysts can flare-ups sporadically, it can be a lifelong cyclical problem, thus requiring lifelong preventionb and care
Interdigital Cyst in Bulldogs and French Bulldogs CAUSE
ENGLISH BULLDOG WEBBING:
Bulldogs are predisposed to interdigital cysts due to their inherent body type, confirmation, excessive prominent webbing, and thick thorny hairs. Interdigital cysts are caused by trauma to the growing short bristly hair shaft located in the web pushing it backward back into the follicle.
Exercise and walking will exacerbate the reverse movement of the prickly stubby hair shaft
The ” web ingrown follicular hairshaft” will cause a wound, inflammation presented by the typical bloody blister which often become infected.
BULLDOG ALLERGIES:
BULLDOG PYODERMA:
- Bulldog bacteria dermatitis
- Bulldog yeast dermatitis
BULLDOG MITES:
- Bulldog Demodex Red Mite
- Bulldog Sarcoptic Mange
BULLDOG INTERDIGITAL CYST / OTHER:
- Bulldog pemphigus Autoimmune Skin Disease
- Bulldog Hyperkeratosis:
- Bulldog Foxtail: Foreign Body (foxtail)
- Bulldog Arthritis: Osteoarthritis (causing the abnormal placement of the paw with uneven pressure leading to trauma to the digit hair follicle)
- Bulldog Obesity: Excessive weight on the paw leads to hair follicle trauma
Interdigital Cyst in English Bulldogs DIAGNOSTIC TEST:
- Skin scrape: checking for mites like demodicosis
- Cytology: testing for Bacteria and Yeast organisms
- Skin cultures: Bateria typing
- Skin biopsies: histopathology
Interdigital Cyst in Bulldogs and French Bulldogs PREVENTION
Interdigital cysts in Bulldogs and French Bulldogs require long-term therapy which idealy combines a theraputic antiseptic topicals and supplements
BULLDOG INTERDIGITAL CYSTS SOAKING:
An inexpensive, safe, and effective bulldog interdigital cyst care and maintenance is a daily soak with lukewarm water mixed with Epsom salts and an antibacterial solution like Dr. Kraemer’s V4B Antiseptic Rinse XS,
BULLDOG INTERDIGITAL CYST / THERAPEUTIC TOPICAL ANTISEPTIC
A daily anti-yeast and antibacterial medicated products like wipes, rinse or spray
- Dr. Kraemer’s V4B Bully Antiseptic XL Skin Fold Wipes
- V4B Bully Antiseptic Skinfold rinse
- V4B Antiseptic Skinfold Spray
- V4B Antiseptic Lotion.
BULLDOG INTERDIGITAL CYST/ THERAPEUTIC SUPPLEMENTS
Ideally, the therapeutic antiseptic topicals are combined with therapeutic supplements such as:
- Pain Relief: like Dr. Kraemer’s V4B Bully Comfort AcheLess Formula Chews
- Anti-Inflammatories: like Dr. Kraemer’s V4B Bully Fish Oil EFA Immune-Skin-Joints Chews
- Immune Boosters: like Dr. Kraemer’s V4B Bully Immune Support Chews
- Arthritis Relief: like Dr. Kraemer’s V4B Bully Total Joints Formula Chews
BULLDOG INTERDIGITAL CYSTS / OTHER
- PAIN RELIEF (RX) such as NSAID, Gabapentin, and Tramadol
- TOPICAL OINTMENTS (RX): Topical antibacterial ointments like mupirocin and paralog is sometimes necessary.
- SYSTEMIC ANTISEPTICS (RX): Systemic antibiotics and systemic antifungal medication might be necessary in moderate to severe interdigital cyst cases.
- SYSTEMIC ANTI-INFLAMMATORY & ITCH CONTROL (RX): Systemic anti-inflammatory, anti-itching medication is often needed in a severe case of bulldog interdigital cyst. The prescription will usually be in the form of cortisone or preferably a non-steroidal drug-like Apoquel, Cytopoint, and Cyclosporine.
- COLD LASER: I often recommend non-pharmaceutical, anti-inflammatory healing modalities like Pulse Electromagnetic Therapy (PEMT) and Class 4 Cold laser therapy.
- STEM CELL THERAPY: Stem Cell Therapy and Cryobanking for Interdigital cysts in Bulldogs and French Bulldogs: I have successfully treated non-responsive, severe cases of interdigital cysts in Bulldogs and French Bulldogs who either reacted adversely to the traditional oral and injectable medications and/or did not improve on those drugs with this new, cutting edge, regenerative medicine technology.
BULLDOG INTERDIGITAL CYST / FUSION PODOPLASTY SURGERY
Bulldog Fusion podoplasty surgery is the last resort option and should be considered if all medical avenues have failed!
It should be done only by an experienced surgeon who already performed the procedure successfully in the past.
Post-up surgical management must be done diligently; it is very time-consuming and in its first phase requires daily wound management and bandage changes. It also might require a splint to help reduce tension on the wound.
I recommend a few days of hospitalization to allow proper confinement, nursing care, and management by an experienced veterinary team. After releasing the patient, you should keep a protective boot on the foot for about 6 weeks.
Dr. Kraemer’s V4B Interdigital Cysts in Bulldogs and French Bulldogs TIPS & WARNINGS:
BULLDOG INTERDIGITAL CYSTS TIPS:
Tip #1 BULLDOG FOOD ALLERGY: If your bulldog or French bulldog suffers from an interdigital cyst and is also itching his belly, ears, and other areas you should suspect allergies as the underlying cause. Food allergy should be suspected when your bulldog is also suffering from gastrointestinal problems like indigestion and gas. Atopic allergies 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
Tip #2 TREATMENT DURATION: Treating Bulldog and French Bulldog interdigital cysts often include systemic medication for both the itch and inflammation, as well as the yeast and bacteria. The treatment should continue for a few weeks and often requires a much longer treatment duration.
Tip #3 WEIGHT LOSS: Overweight Bulldogs and French Bulldogs are at risk for interdigital cysts due to abnormal weight-bearing distribution and secondary increased friction between the skin and footpads. Weight loss for overweight bulldogs will be beneficial.
Tip #4 IMMUNOTHERAPY: If itch atopic dermatitis is suspected a VARL test is recommended to help identify the environmental allergen followed by immunotherapy. Immunotherapy can save the owner money by reducing the dependency on anti-itch and antibiotics drugs. Immunotherapy is a safe, cost-effective, and medically effective treatment option for long-term control of bulldog atopic dermatitis.
Tip#5 FOOD TRIAL: If a food allergy is likely, then I recommend a 3-4 month trial prescription hypoallergenic elimination diet with a novel protein or hydrolyzed protein.
BULLDOG INTERDIGITAL CYST WARNINGS:
Warning #1 DURATION: A recurrent chronic interdigital cyst could be caused by inappropriate antibiotic therapy (too short a course, wrong dosage, wrong drug).
Warning #2 MRSP: Multi-drug resistant bacterial infections like MRSP are becoming increasingly common, thus I recommend cultures for non-resolving interdigital cyst cases who are currently on prescribed imperial antibiotics treatment.
Warning #3 FRICTION: Any chronic friction of opposed surfaces of your bulldog’s toes can cause an interdigital cyst.
Warning#4 STEROIDS: Dependency and excessive use of steroids can lead to serious adverse effects. There are new, non-steroidal, anti-itch medications and injections in the market, as well as non-pharmaceutical, anti-inflammatory, healing modalities like stem cell therapy, PRP, PEMT, and Cold Laser Therapy.
Warning #5 FOXTAILInterdigital cysts in bulldogs can be confused with a foreign body like a foxtail.
Warning#6 SCARRING: Ongoing chronic bulldog interdigital infections can lead to secondary scarring.
An Ounce Of PREVENTION Is Worth A Pound Of CURE
*This guide was compiled courtesy of Dr. Kraemer, a “must-read” manual for any current or future bully owner