Skin Fold Dermatitis in Bulldogs and French Bulldogs
Skin Fold Dermatitis in Bulldogs
- FACE FOLDS
- NOSE FOLDS
- TAIL FOLDS
- TOES FOLDS
- FOOT FOLDS
- VAGINAL FOLDS in female bulldogs.
At times, other moist areas such as the INGUINAL & AXILLARY (armpits) areas are affected and infected, as well as the thick folds of your bulldog’s NECK and your bulldog’s EAR FOLDS are mired with the bulldog skin fold moist dermatitis condition.
Skin Fold Dermatitis in Bulldogs and French Bulldogs CAUSE
HEAD SKIN FOLDS
The folds related to your bulldog’s head are a direct outcome of selective breeding that favors and popularizes the “flat head” (brachycephalic shape).
The facial bone compression leads to the common rolls of loose nasal and facial skin folds.
TAIL SKIN FOLDS
Your bulldog and French bulldog tail folds are the outcomes of abnormal growth of the last vertebral bones (tail bones), bending and twisting of the tail, showcasing the familiar corkscrew formation and the deep tail pocket.
TOE SKIN FOLDS
The chubby webbed toes provide moist and irritation
VULVA SKIN FOLDS
deep skin folds around the bottom parts as well as hooded vulva on top can lead to chronic disease and persistent recurrent UTI
Skin Fold Dermatitis in Bulldogs and French Bulldogs PRESENTATION
Typically manifest as moist, red, inflamed, and often painful, skin fold area.
Head Folds
includes the nasal folds, facial folds, and folds under both eyes.
Tail Folds (bulldog corkscrewed-tails)
Many English and French bulldog puppies will also suffer from abnormal tailbone growth that will twist the skin around and under the sacral vertebrae creating a deep, painful, infected tight “pocket”.
The deeper the folds are, the worse the skin fold dermatitis and the more intense the itch, pain, and bad odor.
Vaginal Folds
Many female English and French bulldog puppies will also have vaginal skin fold dermatitis which is often missed due to the “tucked-in” hidden anatomy.
Paws & Toes folds
Both male and female bulldogs often have thick, chubby paws and toes that contain deep folds prone to moisture, which is somewhat similar to human “athlete’s foot“ fungus/yeast infection. Toe Skin-Folds dermatitis (Pododermatitis)
All bulldogs with skin-fold dermatitis will suffer and present with some degree of inflamed, itchy, ulcerated, infected and often painful skin folds.
Dr. Kraemer’s V4B Skin Fold Dermatitis in Bulldogs and French Bulldogs PREVENTION & MAINTENANCE:
Keeping your English bulldog and French bulldog puppy’s folds dry and healthy is essential. If left alone and not cared for properly, these folds can easily become infected with bacteria and yeast. These infections can be very painful and irritating to your bulldog puppy.
Proper bulldog maintenance will help to prevent skin fold dermatitis, improve your bulldog health and your bulldog puppy’s quality of life.
FREQUENCY: or your bulldog puppy’s skin fold maintenance, I recommend wiping at least once daily; for mild cases, unscented baby wipes might be enough. For moderate and more severe cases, I recommend using antiseptic wipes like Dr. Kraemer’s V4B Nose-Tail-Toe Skin Fold Extra Large Antiseptic Anti-yeast Wipes.
HAIRY SKIN FOLDS
For a hairy area like the neck and top of the tail/rump, and some facial folds, as well as difficult-to-reach areas or large surfaces such as inguinal, belly, and axillary bulldog moist dermatitis, you might find Dr. Kramer’s V4B V4B Nose-Tail-Toe Skin Fold Extra Large Antiseptic-Anti-yeast Lotion or Spray and Rinse easier and more convenient to use.
Dr. Kraemer’s V4B Skin Fold Dermatitis in Bulldogs and French Bulldogs RULE OF THUMB:
As with any deep dermal folds, the warm, humid, and moist conditions are a breeding ground for bacteria and yeast overgrowth. These conditions can quickly
lead to skin fold dermatitis, often a severe form manifested with discoloration and moist, prolific, smelly, and ulcerated wounds (pyoderma).
Dr. Kraemer’s V4B Skin Fold Dermatitis in Bulldogs and French Bulldogs TIPS & WARNINGS:
Skin Fold Dermatitis in Bulldogs and French Bulldogs TIPS:
Tip #1 TAIL ANATOMY
Tail folds are more of a hands-on experience than a visual one. You really have to familiarize yourself with the curvatures and depth of the folds with your fingers. Take a medicated wipe or cotton ball and wipe 360° (degrees) in the tail fold, making sure to wipe as deep as you can. Sometimes the folds are multi-layered and create a corkscrew shape.
Tip #2 EXTRA LARGE WIPES
Dr. Kraemer’s uniquely formulated Bully Antiseptic Skin Fold XL Wipes are ready-to-use, extra-large, economical, anti-yeast, anti-septic, and convenient wipes, which makes them especially attractive and desirable to every bulldog and a French bulldog owner.
Tip #3 OMGA FISH OIL
For the typical English bulldog and French bulldog puppy’s skin-fold moist dermatitis, an Omega EFA Fish oil supplement like Dr. Kraemer’s V4B bully Omega Fish Oil Skin-Joint-Immune can be helpful. It has good anti-inflammatory properties and comes in an economical, palatable, soft chew treat for easy administration.
Tip #4 RX
You can seal folds from moisture with medical powder (Neo-Pred), bacterial ointment (Derma-Vet), over-the-counter cortisone, baby rash ointments, and even powder, like GoldBond, to prevent moisture accumulation.
Skin Fold Dermatitis in Bulldogs WARNINGS:
Warning#1 URINARY TRACT INFECTION
Urinary tract infection (UTI) in bulldog and French bulldog puppies can occur as a consequence
of vaginal skin-fold infection, as the bacteria from the fold ascends into the urinary tract. You can find more about this potential complication in Dr. Kraemer’s UTI Bulldog Maintenance section.
Warning #2 VAGINAL FOLDS
When vaginal-fold dermatitis leads to chronic persistent UTI, and/or to severe persistent moist dermatitis, I recommend surgical removal of those folds (Episoplasty, Vaginoplasty).
Warning#3 PAIN
Severe, poorly-controlled tail fold dermatitis is very painful to the dog and becomes very difficult to manage. Tail amputation is an effective and permanent resolution to this painful condition that you will not regret.
Skin Fold Dermatitis in Bulldogs and French Bulldogs SUMMARY:
Owners are typically reluctant to consider surgery with both health and cosmetic concerns on their minds. Without exception, they always thank me once it’s done. Even years later, they still bring up the notorious “funky odor”, the intense labor trying to clean it daily, and the suffering of their bully. I consistently hear, “He is so happy now, the smell is gone and there is no daily fighting trying to force the wipes on him.”
“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
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