Is an English Bulldog Right For You?

Bringing Home Your New English Bulldog Puppy

Suggested Equipment for your English Bulldog

Your English Bulldog Medicine Cabinet

Common English Bulldog Ailments/Treatments

The very best advice is to know your English Bulldog. Check the entire dog daily. Know if he isn't eating, if he isn't playing, if he doesn't seem quite right. Know immediately if something is wrong so you can take appropriate action. There are several minor ailments you can treat at home. Remember that if a home remedy doesn't cure the problem in two days, it's time to take the dog to the veterinarian. The second best medical advice any one can give you is, "Find a veterinarian who knows and likes English Bulldogs." This is one of the reasons why it's a good idea to join your local English Bulldog Specialty Club. The members can usually refer you to a veterinarian who is familiar with Bulldogs and who likes them.

Liquid Medications - The easiest way to give a liquid medication is with a syringe. You can get them from your veterinarian or most drug stores. You want at least a 2cc size. Discard the needle. Pull the proper amount of liquid into the syringe, open the dog's mouth and "shoot" the liquid onto the back of his tongue.

Pills and capsules - Open the dog's mouth, push the pill or capsule as far down his throat as possible, then hold his mouth shut and stroke his throat until he swallows. This has been known to work. Or wrap the pill or capsule in a bit of ground beef or cheese and feed it to the dog.

Temperature - You take his temperature just as you take a small baby's - rectally. Use a rectal thermometer, lubricate generously with Vaseline, insert gently, hold onto the thermometer dogs have been known to "suck" them in, wait about five minutes, pull out and read. Normal temperature for most dogs is from 100.5 to 101.

Ice - Start giving your English Bulldog pieces of ice to eat when he is still a small puppy so that he learns to like it. Luckily, most Bulldogs do. This is a great way to cool down a hot dog. Blocks of ice make a great summer time toy. A pan of ice in or on top of his crate helps keep him cool.

Vomiting - For minor upset stomach Pepto Bismol or a similar medicine works best. Dose is according to the dog's weight. If there is hard vomiting or if the upset lasts more than 24 hours, take the dog to your veterinarian.

Diarrhea - Kaopektate is most usually prescribed for minor diarrhea. Dose amount depends on the dog's weight. If the diarrhea continues longer than 24 hours or if there is blood in the stool, take the dog to the veterinarian.

Hot Spots - These are red, weepy, itchy spots. Clean the area thoroughly. You can wash with shampoo, rinse and dry. Or clean with Baby Wipes with lanolin and aloe. Or wash with peroxide shampoo. Then apply medications such as Malaseb, Panalog, Sulfadene, Schreiner's Healing Liniment (from a feed store) or 1% cortisone cream (you may need to get this from your own doctor). Clean and apply medication daily. You should see improvement by the second day, if not, take the dog to the veterinarian.

Interdigital Cysts - This is another problem that no one seems to be sure what the cause is But you'll know one when you see an angry red swelling pop up between the dog's toes. First examine the paw carefully, especially the underside between the pads to be sure there is no foreign matter (a thorn or such). If there is, take it out. Clean the area. Remedies include: (I) Soaking the paw in warm water and Epsom Salts or Massengale Douche solution, dry and rub in Panalog. (2) Desenex foot powder. (3) ,Preparation H. (4) Division 5 Bulletin formula. Have your veterinarian make this up for you One part 60% DMSO, one part Gentavet solution 50 mg. per ml. Apply one drop per day; rub in with a Q Tip. Do NOT use more than one drop, do NOT apply more frequently than once a day. If you start application at the first sign, this solution will prevent the cyst from developing. With all these treatments, it's best to continue the treatment for two to three days after the cyst is gone.

Fungus Spots - These are somewhat like hot spots, but they are not weepy. Be sure you clean away all the "scabby" material. Wash the area and treat with Malaseb,  Panalog, Keflex, or any good anti-fungal ointment. You can use Denorex or peroxide shampoo or a sulfur based soap for the washing.

Facial Acne or Eczema - English Bulldogs are forever putting their faces into all kinds of strange places. Some are susceptible to topical bacterial infections. The dog gets pimples on his face and chin. Usually you can clear these up just by washing and rubbing in an anti-biotic ointment. Or you can try OXYIO (benzoil peroxide) which you can purchase at a drug store. If they persist, you will need to get an oral anti-biotic medication from your veterinarian.

Eyes - Dust, wind, pollen, the things that make your eyes burn and water have the same effect on your English Bulldog. You can rinse the eyes out with a solution such as Clear Eyes. If the eyes are badly irritated, use a contact lens ointment such as Bausch & Lomb Duolube. For any other eye ailment, take the dog to your veterinarian.

Cherry Eye - The gland which normally resides under the lower eye lid at the inside corner of the eye will sometimes "pop" out. This is not as horrible as it appears to be and does not require emergency treatment. It does require treatment at the earliest possible time by a veterinarian recommended for "Cherry Eye'. The quicker the dog gets treatment the better the chance for successful treatment without removing the gland. Removal of the gland often results in a "dry" eye.

Tail - Some English Bulldog's have their tail set in a pocket. If yours does,  you will need to make a special effort to keep that pocket clean and dry. Wipe it out frequently. You may need to use cotton balls rather than a wash cloth if the pocket is tight. Be sure to dry it thoroughly and apply an ointment such as Panalog, or a drying powder.

Insect Stings - If your English Bulldog is stung by a bee or other insect, give him Benadryl (either capsule or liquid) and watch him closely for the next half hour. You may also apply an ice pack to the area where he was stung if you know where it is. If the area around the sting swells and hardens, if hives appear, if he seems to have difficulty breathing - rush him to the veterinarian. This is no time to dally, your dog's life depends on quick treatment.

Heat Stroke – Bullies are very heat-sensitive.  Heatstroke occurs because of the shape of their throats, their soft palates are almost always too long and their only method of reducing their body temperature (panting) cannot compensate for the rise in their body temperature.  Signs of heat stroke are:  excessive panting and salivating, vomiting, respiratory distress.  Always make sure that your bullie has shade and lots of fresh water.  You can also get a kiddie pool.  For an adult dog, fill it halfway and change the water every other day.  Most bullies love to get in and play, cooling off and getting a drink as they do.  Do not overfill the pool &; Bullies are generally not good swimmers and could easily drown

Facial Fold Dermatitis - This is an inflammation in the folds (wrinkles) around the bullie’s face and/or tail.  You need to keep your bullie’s folds clean and dry (I use wet wipes and hydrogen peroxide). 

Entropion - This occurs when the eyelids roll inwards, causing the eyelashes to rub against the eye.  Surgical correction is needed when this occurs – left untreated, Entropion will cause permanent damage to the eye.

Ectropion - This occurs when the eyelids roll outwards, so that even when the dog blinks, it leaves the eye exposed to irritants.  Surgical correction is needed.

Hip Dysplasia - This is an abnormality of the hip joint, which can cause arthritis in later years.  Besides genetics, the cause is suspected to be rapid growth and weight gain.  This is another reason to keep your bullie at a healthy weight, as bullies can easily become obese.  Treatment for hip Dysplasia can range from steroids and anti-inflammatory medications, to aspirin, to surgery.  Always work with your vet on a treatment plan.

Elongated Soft Palate & Small Trachea - This is common in short-muzzled dog breeds. If the bullie becomes excited, over-exerted or over-heated, it can cause the palate to swell and block the air passages.  The harder the dog pants, the more it swells.  The bullie gag in an attempt to clear the airway (you may use a squirt of lemon juice down your bullie’s throat to help clear the airway.  No, he won’t like it, but it will help).

Allergies - There are four major categories of allergy:  flea allergy, food allergy, airborne allergy, and contact allergy, all of which can cause horrendous scratching and itching.  Depending on the cause, treatment may be anything from medication, allergy shots, ensuring that your bullie protected from parasites (fleas, ticks, chiggers, etc.), or a change in diet (consult your vet). 

Heart Problems - Yet another reason for a healthy diet. Extra weight can put added stress on their heart.