Most Common English bulldog Allergies You Should Know About

Scratch, Scratch, Scratch!

Is this what your wet-nosed and drooling-jowled bulldog does all the time? Chances are, they may be having some sort of allergic reaction. Scratching is the most common symptom of allergic reactions, as well as dandruff, excessive shedding, sneezing, and wheezing. If you find red or irritated areas, you may need to contact a veterinarian for a diagnosis. Do not fear if they do indeed have allergies, as Bulldog breeds are susceptible to allergies due to their unique skin folds and different genetics. Preventing allergic reactions is much easier than treating them. Pay close attention to what triggers the allergies in your dog so you can avoid those areas or foods. Keep reading for more information about allergies in bulldogs.

Types of Most Common English bulldog Allergies:

Knowing what is causing the allergic reaction in your bulldog is the key to preventing it. Once you identify the category and the root cause, you can employ numerous methods to reduce the irritation.

Your bulldog may be suffering from one of three different ailments:

Food Allergy

Bulldogs’ genetic makeup is different from any other canine breed. Due to these differences, they are predisposed to food-related issues and often face stomach issues. They can suffer from both full on allergies, or a less serious food intolerance. Because of this, feeding your dog low-grade food with unlabeled ingredients is quite a risk. Allergies can come from animal proteins like chicken, beef, or pork, as well as dairy products, soy, corn, seasonings, and artificial preservatives.

Symptoms and Prevention Options

Excessive shedding, hives and bumps, runny stool, and gastrointestinal illness are some usual food allergy symptoms. Normally, providing your dog with the right diet is sufficient for tackling food-related reactions. When addressing food allergies, you will have to take both food quality and source into account.

Food Trial

You can take a minimum eight-week trial to diagnose certain food allergen. The purpose of this food trial is to avoid the sickening substance while providing the essential nutrients.

Let your bulldog consume a single-ingredient diet for the trial period. The food must have a single source of animal or vegetable protein and carbohydrates.We recommend looking for foods that contain lamb or bison proteins.

For eight weeks, remove treats, flavored medications, supplements, and table food from your bulldog’s diet. Once the trial period is complete, switch to a normal dietary routine, but watch out for re-emerging allergic symptoms. Giving your bully food formulated specifically for bulldogs, in particular, will be the best bet.

Diagnostic Test

Another method is to go in for a Nutriscan – a test to diagnose sensitivity to certain substances. This is an easier, albeit more pricey, alternative.

Skin Allergy

Eczema or atopic dermatitis is a skin allergy that bulldogs are prone to. They may be hypersensitive to dust, mites, mold, and of course, flea bites.

Symptoms

Canine Atopic Dermatitis can cause dried out or flaky skin, itchiness, and inflamed areas.

If you notice your dog licking and biting at their paws frequently, they may be dealing with an allergic reaction.

You can also check if their ears are warmer than the rest of their body; if they are, they may be suffering from eczema. Also, check the color of their armpits and paws; any slight color change will help you recognize potential atopic dermatitis. Ensure you are constantly checking that your pet is flea-free as well.

Preventive Options

Often wiping bulldogs skin creases off can reduce the chance of them having allergic reactions as it will clean them off. For fleas and ticks, use anti-flea topical creams or oral medication. Moreover, regular baths and medicated shampoos can also help in keeping other allergens at bay. If it seems like you need medical help, consult your vet right away.

Contact Allergy

The most difficult type of allergy in bulldogs to spot are contact allergies. Your short bully may inhale dust particles, mites, and other allergens through the air. However, the air is not the only transmitter of contact allergens- Wood in the bedding, grass, certain plants, flea collars, and even dog shampoos can hold allergens in them. If you have contact allergy concerns, make sure that your dog is not reacting to any food items or other parasitic infections, first. Then you can narrow down any certain contact allergen your dog is reacting to. Simply remove the cause and stay aware of every NEW thing interacting with your pet.

Conclusion

All types of bulldog allergies are treatable, but the best way to handle these allergies is to keep the allergens away.

You can serve your English bulldog food containing all the nutrients that can potentially immunize your dog against allergy-causing substances.

Your vet can also recommend any medical treatments, probiotics, antibiotics, or antihistamines to help manage your bulldog’s allergy symptoms.

Every dog is different. Something that works for one dog may not work for another. Test things and find what works the best for your bulldog, but treat your pet ASAP to avoid larger issues.

The sooner, the better!

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