bulldog skin problem, hair loss

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Expert: Patti – 11/16/2009

Question
Hello. My two year old English Bulldog has a bald area on each of his sides. Our Vet does not know what it is. He thought it was thyroid related but it isn’t. The two areas are directly across from each other. They do not itch or seem to bother him in any way.I would appreciate your help Answer

Hi Connie,

If your dog’s bald areas aren’t accompanied with signs of itching, broken crusty skin, inflammation, raised lesions, redness or small pimples of any kind,  it’s possible it’s a hereditary hair loss condition known as Cyclic Alopecia, also known as Seasonal Flank Alopecia. It’s possible that this is just a seasonal problem, and the hair will grow back. Seasonal Flank Alopecia is one of the conditions adult Bulldogs are prone to, so it’s entirely possible this is what your dog has. This form of Alopecia is a benign condition that’s more cosmetic than anything else. You might have to adopt the attitude that “Bald is Beautiful”.

There’s also hormone responsive alopecia, also known as “Alopecia X”. Your dog would need hormonal blood testing to rule this out. With this kind of hair loss, the exposed skin can take on a black or dark color, but it doesn’t itch. If the loss of hair is caused by a sex hormone imbalance, then sterilizing the dog is the form of treatment. Hair growth will typically return after this. If not, medication can be given.

You shouldn’t take my word as gospel on any of this, I’m not a doctor.
When your regular vet encounters a problem he or she isn’t familiar with, it’s good to consult with a specialist who encounters difficult or rare cases more often. If your vet can’t give you a referral to a veterinary dermatologist, you can locate one here: https://www.acvd.org/

Best of luck,
Patti

Bulldog Health Problems - Skin Problems

Every dog breed has its own specific health problems and though there are not many serious Bulldog health problems to be worried about, those that do affect the bulldog are related to his characteristics. So before you bring home a Bulldog puppy, you should be well aware of what is at risk when it concerns his health. Also, besides providing your own Bulldog care, you should also ensure that qualified vet care is available at short notice and also ensure that the vet knows about Bulldog health care.
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Among the common Bulldog health problems that you need to be aware of is the intolerance of bulldogs to heat and thus you need to provide him with adequate ventilation as well as proper air conditioning, and using wired crates will help circulate air better. Another problem is that of his eyelashes growing more than is normal and this condition can easily turn serious if the eyelashes begin to rub the eyeballs.
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There are a number of Bulldog health problems that can affect your pet and among them is a condition known as Folliculitis in which an infection develops in the dog’s hair follicles. Another problem that can affect the bulldog is the one known as muzzle pyoderma, which is an infectious disease of the skin that affects, despite best Bulldog care, the muzzle of your bulldog. And, if that is not enough, there is also possibility of the pet developing skin infection of the paws.
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Elbow dysplasia is yet another common Bulldog health problem and this condition can cause the bulldog to have an abnormally developed elbow joint. In addition to this and several other health conditions, you need to also check your Bulldog’s wrinkles that cover his face, which will require proper Bulldog care so that he remains healthy as well as comfortable. Using mild soap should help in cleaning the wrinkles. This is a simple Bulldog care step that can help prevent your bulldog from developing skin irritations or infections.
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There are a number of common Bulldog health problems that every Bulldog owner will need to worry about and among them are defects that are caused by bulldog genes that can, in turn, lead to several other illnesses. Other health problems include small trachea, elongated soft palate and allergies such as dermatitis and mange, as well as abnormal eyelids, hip dysplasia and even heart problems. In fact, despite proper Bulldog care, your pet could still suffer from itchy skin which means that you need to constantly monitor him to see if he has a skin irritation or whether he has taken to scratching himself more than is normal.
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To be on the safe side you should also try to learn about how to provide emergency care for your Bulldog. In addition, you also need to know of a veterinarian who is well versed in Bulldog health problems and who can provide round the clock Bulldog care should it become necessary to take care of any health problems that can develop at any time and without warning.
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The love and devotion that Bobby Callahan has shown to his dogs is undoubtedly the reason why he has been able to keep them happy, healthy and well socialized. Providing proper Bulldog care is essential if you want to succeed in minimizing the risk of common Bulldog health problems affecting your pet though even then there is no guarantee that your bulldog won’t be affected by the many possible health problems. Sometimes, you may be called upon to provide emergency care for your Bulldog, or you just may want to know about common Bulldog health problems.
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