Itching Allergy In Bulldogs And French Bulldogs

Itching allergies in bulldogs and French bulldogs are possibly the most common medical condition presented at my bulldog practice.

Itching Allergies in Bulldogs and French Bulldogs MOST COMMON

There are a few types of allergies:

1. ATOPIC ENVIRONMENTAL ITCH DERMATITIS
2. FOOD ITCH DERMATITIS
3. FLEA ITCH ALLERGY
4. CONTACT ITCH ALLERGY

Atopic environmental itch dermatitis is the most common allergy I see in Bulldogs and French bulldogs, while bulldog contact allergy is rare and the least common

Itching Allergy in Bulldogs and French Bulldogs CAUSE

The cause of itching is not always the same, each allergy type is likely to have a different trigger.

Itching Bulldog / ATOPIC ENVIRONMENTAL ALLERGY

Genetic: Bulldog Atopic Itch allergy has a genetic predisposition and hereditary underpinning.

Common allergens: tree, grass, weeds, dust mites, mold, etc.

Itching Bulldog / FOOD ALLERGY

 Bulldog Food Allergy is mostly induced by proteins usually from an animal source

Common Allergens:

• Beef
• Chicken &, Turkey
• Fish
• Egg

Itching Bulldog FLEA ALLERGY:

FLEA BITE: Itching is triggered by a flea bite

Allergic dogs are sensitive to the allergen injected with flea saliva during the flea blood meal.

Itching Bulldog CONTACT ALLERGY:

DIRECT CONTACT: Allergen that comes in direct contact with your pet

Here is a short list of some of the most common ones

• Pesticides & Insecticides ( flea collars & topical flea products)
• Grass & Lawn ( fertilizers & herbicides)
• Topical medication & Shampoos
• Bed & Blanket material

Itch Allergy in Bulldog and French Bulldog PRESENTATION

1. Self-trauma: itching, biting, chewing, licking, excessive grooming
2. Inflammation: redness, rawness, erythema, bumps
3. Odor & Discoloration
4. Dander & Flakes: Usually dry, flaky skin

Itching Allergy in Bulldogs and French Bulldogs DISTRIBUTION

Various bully allergies have different typical distributions and appearances

BULLDOG FLEA ITCH ALLERGY

Itching, hair loss, and red bumps mostly at the distal back and tail base

BULLDOG CONTACT ITCHY ALLERGY

Itching, erythema (redness), and hair loss at the contact site

Examples are

• Flea collar NECK EREA
• Grass pesticides BELLY AREA

Itchy Bulldog ENVIRONMENTAL ALLERGY

Itching and hair loss mostly at the

• Paws
• Ear base
• Belly
• Elbows
• Hind legs

Itch Bulldog FOOD ALLERGY

Similar to atopic allergic dermatitis.

Itch Allergy in Bulldog and French Bulldog MYTH & FACT

 

Allergy Myth#1: WARTERY, RED EYES & SNEEZING

Most of you will associate allergy with the inhalation of allergens (hay fever).

In fact, in contrast to us, bulldogs’ airborne allergens do not enter via the airways but rather make their entrance cutaneously via the skin surface.

Normal: Normal, healthy, allergy-free, itch-free bulldogs have a skin barrier that is impervious to allergens.

Allergic: allergic bulldogs suffer from a skin barrier (epidermis) breakdown and are thus vulnerable to all the common atopic allergy manifestations.

Bulldogs and French bulldog allergy hallmark is ITCHING.

Humen allergies hallmark is red eyes, sneezing and snuffling. 

Nevertheless, some bulldog allergies, such as allergic bronchitis and allergic rhinitis, will exhibit upper or lower airway problems (cough, nasal d/c, sneezing)

Allergy Myth #2: OUTDOORS vs. INDOORS ALLERGEN MYTH

Many bulldog owners mistakenly believe that by confining their pets indoors, they can shield them from offensive allergens and consequently prevent allergies. However, this assumption is incorrect.

Indoors, there are numerous allergens present, including dust mites and mold. Furthermore, outdoor allergens can infiltrate indoor spaces through the incoming air. Due to factors such as poor ventilation, limited circulation, and reduced airflow indoors, the concentration of outdoor allergens per square foot is often significantly higher than outdoors.

Therefore, indoor confinement does not guarantee immunity from allergens, and bulldog owners should be aware of the various allergens present in both indoor and outdoor environments.

Itch Allergy in Bulldog /AGE & SEASON

CONTACT ALLERGY

Age: All ages

Seasonal: This can very much depend on the source. For example, flea collar allergies are more likely to happen during the flea season when owners tend to apply them.

FLEA ALLERGY

Age: All-Ages

Season:  Is usually during the warmer months

ENVIRONMENTAL ALLERGY

Age:1-3 years old are the most affected

Season: Usually seasonal

FOOD ALLERGY

Age: The bulldog puppy and the bulldog adult over 5 are the ones most affected by food allergy

Season: Is not seasonal

Year around allergy is more consistent with food allergy

Itch Allergy in Bulldog and French Bulldog DIAGNOSIS

ENVIRONMENTAL ATOPIC ALLERGY

Diagnosing atopic allergies in bulldogs is challenging due to the lack of reliable defensive tests. Instead, the diagnosis relies on an elimination process. Factors to consider are:

• age
• distribution of skin itch and hair loss
• seasonal patterns
•  response to steroid treatment for itchiness

FOOD ALLERGY

Trial & Challenge: A food trial on a prescription hypoallergenic elimination diet for 8 weeks and a challenge with the previously suspected food allergy diet to confirm.

FLEA ALLERGY:

Season & Fleas: The presence of fleas, flea dirt, and flea season

Distribution: Hair loss, dorsal-distal lumber, tail base location,

CONTACT ALLERGY:

Reaction: Focal location (contact site)

Allergens: the presence of suspect allergen (flea collar, recently spared grass, new bed, etc.)

Other Diagnostic Tests For Bulldog and French Bulldog Allergies

1. SKIN SCRAPE: helps to r/o skin mites such as Demodex and sarcoptic mange
2. CYTOLOGY: helps to r/o the presence of secondary bacteria and/or yeast infection
3. DTM: fungal culture to r/o ringworm (dermatophytes)
4. CULTURE: helps to identify types of bacteria (gram-negative rods, vs gram-negative cocci)
5. BIOPSY: helps to r/o autoimmune disease, skin cancer, etc.

Itching Allergy in Bulldogs and French Bulldogs / TREATMENT:

PREVENTION: Bulldog environmental allergy often requires Lifelong prevention and management

THERAPEUTIC TOPICALS FOR BULLDOGS ALLERGIES

BATH & WATER:

Water is soothing and helps to wash off allergens, dander, and fleas

Remember, in pets’ environmental allergens  mostly enter via the skin surface

MEDICATED SHAMPOOS & CONDITIONERS

Bully topical medicated therapeutics (i.e., medicated shampoos, rinses, wipes, gels, cream rinses, and conditioners) are critical for short-term and long-term allergy and itch control.

Bully medicated topicals

1. do not require a prescription
2. They are inexpensive
3. easy to use,
4. can be implemented by you at the convenience of your home

• V4B BULLY MOISTURIZERS & HYDRATION
• V4B BULLY ANTI DANDER & FLAKE RELIEF
• V4B BULLY ITCH RELIEF
• V4B BULLY HYPOALLERGENIC
• V4B BULLY ALOE OATMEAL SOOTHING

SAVINGS: See Dr. Kraemer’s Bully Economic ITCH RELIEF Medicated Topical Bundles

MEDICATED ANTIBACTERIAL & ANTI-YEAST (ANTISEPTIC)

Many allergic, itchy dermatitis bulldogs are also present with a secondary bacterial and yeast infection. Those microorganisms reside on the skin as part of the normal microflora and cause no harm but can become opportunistic pathogens when the skin barrier is damaged.

• V4B BULLY YEASTY BULLY SHAMPOO
• V4B BULLY YEASTY ANTISEPTIC WATERLESS GEL
• V4B BULLY ANTISEPTIC XS SHAMPOO
• V4B BULLY  OILY BULLY ANTISEPTIC SHAMPOO

SAVINGS: See Dr. Kraemer’s Bully Economic Medicated Antiseptic Topical Bundles

THERAPEUTIC SUPPLEMENTS FOR BULLDOGS ALLERGIES

Allergic, itchy bulldog skin becomes inflamed, and the skin barrier is damaged and porous. Some supplements can help restore the barrier, boost the immune system, and reduce inflammation.

• V4B BULLY Fish Oil EFA SKIN-JOINT-IMMUNE
• V4B BULLY PRE & PROBIOTICS
• V4B BULLY IMMUNE SUPPORT

SAVINGS: See Dr. Kraemer’s Bully Economic SKINCARE therapeutic Supplements Bundles

ALLERGEN IMMUNOTHERAPY ITCH CONTROL

life-long hypersensitization treatment (if they work, they are usually given for life every ~2 weeks at home by you)

NON-STEROIDAL ITCH CONTROL FOR ALLERGIES

1. Cyclosporine is usually given orally twice a week or every other day, it can help control itch as a replacement for steroids, but it also has some side effects, including vomiting.
2. Apoquel is oral, it can help control itch, but only for about 10 hours, and at twice a day over a long time, it can cause immune suppression. It is only labeled for adults.
3. Cytopoint injections can relieve itch for 6–8 weeks, have minimal side effects, and can be given to puppies.

ANTIHISTAMINES ITCH CONTROL 

First-generation antihistamines like Benadryl that cross the blood-brain barrier can help with sedation and thus can be given before bedtime. They are safe and OTC

Second- and Third-generation antihistamines might be more effective for itch control in combination with other RX. As a single treatment, they are not very effective. An example is hydroxyzine.

STEM CELL THERAPY ITCH CONTROL:

Can help in some nonresponsive cases, with no side effects, and can help prevent and treat other medical problems

FLEA PREVENTION FOR BULLDOGS ALLERGIES:

Avoiding flea allergy, Fleas are climate-sensitive, so geography, season, and temperature will affect them. Also, the bulk of the flea cycle is not on your pet, only the adult stage lives and breeds on your bulldog. Thus, adherence to flea prevention by the pet community will dramatically affect the likelihood of fleas and flea allergies. Year-round flea control is a must for allergic bulldogs.

Some flea control medications are also effective against bulldog demodex mites (Bravecto) and Sarcoptic Mange mites (Revolution)

ANTIBIOTICS FOR BULLDOG ITCHING ALLERGIES:

Antibiotics can be used when secondary bacteria are confirmed by cytology.

The most common skin bacteria is a gram-positive Staphylococcal.

WARNING: Overuse of antibiotics can lead to multidrug resistance bacteria (MRSP)

ANTI-YEAST RX (Malassezia) FOR BULLDOG ALLERGIES

If a secondary yeast infection is presented antifungal medical is recommended

Repairing Skin Barrier for Bulldog Allergies

THERAPEUTIC TOPICALS & SUPPLEMENTS:

Every itchy and allergic skin treatment should include therapeutic topicals

Non Prescription Theraputic Topicals & Supplements are the saftest, unexpenssive and often the most effective

STEROIDS (CORTISONE) 

Often used to help control itching and inflammation

Allergy in Bulldog and French Bulldog STEROIDS/CORTISONE

ENVIRONMENT ALLERGY 

Bulldogs and French bulldogs itching due to atopic dermatitis are very responsive to cortisone (prednisone, Depo-Medrol, etc)

FOOD ALLERGY

Bulldog itching due to food allergy might show no improvement or only mixed itch relief.

It is much better o eliminate the dietary allergen than treat bulldog food allergy with steroids.

FLEA ALLERGY 

Steroids provide good relief to flea allergy but it is best to prevent the problem by using flea preventives rather than resorting to cortisone medication

CONTACT ALLERY 

Steroids provide good relief to most contact allergy itching but it is best to remove or eliminate the offensive allergen (flea collar as an example)

 

Itching Allergies in Bulldogs and French Bulldogs STEROID SIDE EFFECTS

Steroids are widely used for pet allergies they are inexpensive and usually effective as both an anti-inflammatory and itch control. Nevertheless, they can be harmful.

STEROID RISKS: The higher the dosage and the longer the use the higher the risk

Steroids like prednisone and Depo-Medrol can help relieve and manage allergic itch. It is preferred to use them for flare-up acute short-term allergies. Long-term management with steroids increases the chances of adverse side effects

Here is a short list of some of the most common steroid side effects in bulldogs:

IMMUNE SUPPRSENT: will increase the chance for secondary bacteria, and yeast infection as well as Demodex mites. Also, many systemic problems include UTI and intestinal dysbiosis.

PU/PD: excessive drinking thus uncontrolled urination and accidental indoor incontinence.

OBESITY: due to an increase in food intake

OTHER: many other serious medical conditions such as diabetes, Cushing’s, liver steroid hepatopathy, orthopedic problems, etc.

Itching Allergy in Bulldogs and French Bulldogs IMMEDIATE VS DELAYED

The most common bulldog allergy is the delayed type of hypersensitivity

Immediate hypersensitivity is rare manifested by instant life-threatening anaphylaxis shock

BULLDOG ALLERGY DELAYED HYPERSENSITIVITY

The most common bulldog allergies are a delayed type of hypersensitivity and are milder in appearance (itch, swollen face, and eyelid, hive, redness)

Delayed Allergy TIMING

Delayed hypersensitivity bulldog allergy is often mild to moderate and it can start hours after the encounter.

Delayed Allergy PRESENTATION

Mild to moderate, common manifestations are itch, swollen face, and eyelid, hive, redness

Delayed Allergy In Bulldog and French Bulldog TREATMENT

Mild to moderate cases can be treated with a bath and topical bully-medicated shampoos, conditioners, sprays, wipes, and gels.

More severe cases might require prescription medication such as steroids (prednisone), antihistamines, and other itch-control drugs.

Bulldog allergy HYPERSENSITIVITY (ANAPHYLAXIS)

Hypersensitivity TIMING

Instant and dramatic.

Hypersensitivity PRESENTATION

Constricted airways leading to difficulty breathing, cyanosis (bluish discoloration of the skin due to lack of oxygen), and circulatory collapse, known as anaphylaxis, can have severe consequences. In such cases, immediate emergency treatment is essential, preferably administered by a trained veterinary team, to prevent further complications and ensure the best possible outcome for the bulldog.

Bulldog Hypersensitivity TREATMENT:

• Epinephrine
• Oxygen
• IV fluid
• Monitoring.

Itching Allergy in Bulldogs and French Bulldogs TIPS & WARNINGS

Below is a selective list of allergy tips & warnings courtesy of Dr. Kraemer

Bulldog Allergy INFECTION TIP:

Secondary bacteria and yeast infections are common to ongoing uncontrolled allergies, they will exacerbate the itch and must be managed with topical antiseptic and anti-yeast medicated shampoos and gels Like

• Dr. Kraemer’s Yeasty Bully Medicated products.

Bulldog Allergy THERAPEUTIC TOPICALS & SUPPLEMENTS:

This should be implemented for any bulldog suffering from skin disease, allergy, and itching

Therapeutic bully topicals & supplements are step one for all itching, skin allergy bulldogs

French Bulldog Allergy AIR PURIFIER & VENTILATION:

Proper ventilation and purification can help reduce indoor allergens.

Bulldog  Allergy BUSTER COLLAR TIP:

Keep an E-collar handy and place it on your pet till the itch is controlled to avoid self-trauma and additional injuries such as ear hematoma, hot spots, corneal ulcer, etc.

Bulldog Allergy STEROID MONITOR:

Routine safety screens for pets using prednisone or other steroids should include blood tests and urine.

French Bulldog Allergy STEROID TAPERING:

Due to cortisone side effects your vet and you should strategize tapering off the steroids itch control dosage to the minimum necessary.

Allergy CORTISONE USE & DEMODEX:

Subclinical demodicosis can erupt due to a steroid-induced immunosuppression

French Bulldog Allergy OTHER ITCHING:

Remember, other skin conditions can cause itching and must be considered and ruled out, examples are

• pemphigus (autoimmune)
• ringworm (dermatophyte)
• sarcoptic mange
• Demodex

Bulldog Allergy  MRSP WARNING:

use of antibiotics and steroids. To effectively manage bacterial infections, it is crucial to use antibacterial drugs judiciously. Treatment decisions should be guided by cytology findings and the response to initial treatment.

If there is a lack of response, further evaluation, including bacterial culture and sensitivity testing, is necessary to identify the specific bacteria involved and determine the most appropriate antibiotic therapy.

This approach helps minimize the development of antibiotic resistance and ensures optimal treatment outcomes for bulldogs with bacterial infections

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