We all want the best for our furry companions, and when your dog is suffering, you will want to do everything in your power to make it feel better.
French Bulldogs are, unfortunately, prone to a variety of skin conditions, which can cause a fair degree of discomfort.
This article will give you an in-depth look at the causes and treatments of different skin conditions so that your French Bulldog can be its happiest and healthiest self!
Common Skin Problems
Dry, itchy, and crusty skin can have a million different causes. We’ll discuss treatments later in the article, but first, here are some of the most common causes of skin problems in French Bulldogs:
- Allergies: Your French Bulldog could be allergic to certain food ingredients, indoor or outdoor plants, or environmental allergens such as pollen or dust. If your dog’s allergies are severe enough, it may even cause hives. Food allergies can result in an extremely serious reaction, however, so we will discuss this point more thoroughly later on in the article.
- Chronic Dry Skin: If you live in a dry or cold climate, your Frenchie might be susceptible to chronic dry skin. Another reason for this could be that you are bathing your dog too frequently.
- Parasites: Tapeworms, fleas, and ringworms can all result in terrible itchiness and dry skin for your poor dog. Keep an eye out for patchy and thinning fur, as well as frequent scratching in certain areas. Certain parasitic infections are also extremely contagious, so if you have multiple dogs, you will have to treat all of them regardless of whether or not they appear to be affected.
- Dandruff: Humans aren’t the only ones who can have flaky skin! Your dog might also be shedding bits of dandruff, as well.
- Infections: Yeast infection and bacterial infections can both cause irritation to your Frenchie’s skin, and they can even result in scabs and sores, as well. A common bacterial infection that can affect many French Bulldogs is superficial bacterial folliculitis. While the name may sound complicated, it can actually be treated quite easily.
- Seborrhea: This is a condition where your dog’s skin will produce too much oil, resulting in irritated, red, and flaky skin. It is most common along your dog’s spine, and it can make your dog smell a little funky, too.
- Sores: If you don’t regularly clean the wrinkles and folds in your dog’s face, it may get dry skin from chafing, which can eventually result in sores.
- Impetigo: Many French Bulldog puppies are susceptible to impetigo, which causes gross pus-filled blisters to appear on the skin.
- Acute Moist Dermatitis (aka Hotspots): This is a common affliction for many French Bulldogs due to their dense undercoat. These “hotspots,” as they are commonly called, are caused by a certain bacteria. These bacteria produce excess moisture and create pus-secreting lesions. This is extremely uncomfortable for your poor Frenchie and should be treated immediately.
- Skin Cancer: This is rare, but should still be included on the list just in case. If your dog has itchy skin as well as other, more serious symptoms (like lethargy, loss of appetite, and sudden weight loss) you should immediately consult a veterinarian to rule out any serious underlying conditions.
How Your French Bulldog’s Diet Can Affect Its Skin
In the list, we mentioned that allergies can cause skin reactions, but this is an issue that should be explained in more than just a simple bullet point. Every French Bulldog is different, and allergies can cause serious reactions, just like with humans.
If an allergy is left untreated, your dog may die. If you notice any symptoms suggesting an allergic reaction, you need to see your vet right away.
Testing for an allergy isn’t an easy process, as you have to get a full spectrum blood analysis test. This will show you exactly what foods your dog is allergic to, so you can avoid any complications in the future.
A common symptom that can indicate an allergic reaction is hives, which will make your dog’s skin appear red, inflamed, and just plain uncomfortable.
Your dog’s skin may be warm to the touch, and your poor Frenchie will probably be itching up a storm. More serious symptoms include difficulty breathing and swelling. These warrant an immediate trip to the vet, as your dog may be entering anaphylactic shock, which can result in death.
Treatments for Skin Problems
Now that we know some of the common causes for your Frenchie’s skin affliction, let’s discuss treatment. If your dog appears itchy or irritated, or if your dog’s skin has developed sores or lesions, you need to take a trip to the vet.
The sooner you can get your dog’s skin treated, the better. While most of these conditions can be treated fairly quickly, they can still cause your poor dog a lot of discomfort.
Your veterinarian will likely take a few samples of the affected areas in order to determine which kinds of bacteria may be causing the infection. If your dog is affected by a lot of sores and lesions, your vet might shave parts of your dog’s fur in order to make the area easier to treat.
This is something that should only be done by a vet, as shaving your dog on your own could result in cuts on the skin- something that will definitely not help your dog’s situation!
Depending on the issue, your vet will likely give you some sort of topical cream or antibiotic to apply once or twice a day. There are also certain powders that can be applied to some skin conditions, as well.
Parasitic infections such as fleas, tapeworms, and ringworms are usually treated with antibiotics.
Another treatment method is to change your dog’s environment and routine. If your dog’s skin is dry as a result of poor grooming, for example, you should consider brushing more frequently or using certain shampoos that can help with dandruff and dry skin.
If you suspect your French Bulldog is experiencing skin conditions as a result of allergies, you should try to determine which foods or environmental factors are causing these allergies.
Helpful Products
If your dog is simply suffering from dandruff or a simple case of dry skin, there are a few simple products you can use to quickly remedy the situation.
#1
Skin Rescue, a product made by DERMagic, is extremely helpful for dry skin and rashes. While the product does claim that it can help to treat hot spots, you should always seek a vet’s advice before attempting to treat any lesions or hot spots on your own.
Infections and sores can quickly develop into more dangerous conditions if they are not treated properly, so you shouldn’t expect something like Skin Rescue to be an effective treatment.
Still, Skin Rescue has quite a few excellent features. It is helpful in reducing itching and chewing and can treat fungal, bacterial, and yeast infections. As always, however, make sure you get input from a vet before using this product to start treating infections left and right.
While this product does not contain any steroids, you should make sure your dog does not ingest any of it. If the skin on your dog’s paws is affected, you should wrap them up with bandages after applying the ointment.
This will help prevent your dog from licking at its paws and accidentally swallowing any of the medication.
#2
Warren London’s Hydrating Butter is another great product to consider when treating any skin conditions. It’s very moisturizing and will reduce dry skin, itching, and irritation.
The added moisture will also make your Frenchie’s coat sleek and gorgeous!
The product also claims that, after it is applied, it will provide moisture to your dog’s skin and coat for 24 hours.
It can also help to alleviate dander, dry skin, and rashes. While French Bulldogs can be susceptible to a variety of skin conditions, keep in mind that their skin is still quite tough.
While it may be tempting to apply moisturizing lotion to your dog every chance you get, you should really only be using these products if you notice that your dog has been affected by dry skin. Anything more than that is a bit excessive, and simply not necessary.
Final Thoughts
We all love our dogs dearly, and most owners would do anything in their power to prevent their dog from experiencing any sort of discomfort.
While it may be impossible to stop the common instances of skin irritation from occurring in the first place, there is plenty you can do to treat it.
By taking a careful look at your dog’s environment, including possible allergens and irritants, you can treat allergy-related skin conditions. Dry skin can be treated with simple lotions.
More serious conditions should be taken to your vet, but most are easily cured after a few rounds of medication.
We hope this guide has left you with some helpful information that will help keep your dog happy and healthy for many years to come!
Resource into Allergies Click here
