Bulldog Health                           

 As with all other short nosed breeds, (brachycephalic) it is imperative to keep an eye on your Bulldog in hot weather or any stressful situations, 

making sure that shade and fresh water is available at all times.  Never, ever leave your dog in the car unattended in the summer, NOT EVEN for a minute. 

Brachycephalic - the full name of this disorder is brachycephalic airway obstruction syndrome (BAOS). Brachycephalics are those breeds which have

 a comparatively short head. Because of their anatomy, virtually all dogs of these breeds have some degree of increased work associated with breathing

from the time they are born. Many have varying degrees of obstruction to their airways, which causes signs ranging from noisy breathing to collapse. 

The most common anatomical features that lead to the respiratory difficulties typical of these breeds, include an elongated and fleshy soft palate,

and narrowed nostrils.   Many affected dogs also have changes to the larynx (everted laryngeal saccules) and a relatively small trachea.

Problems associated with this syndrome range in severity, with most brachycephalic dogs snuffling and snorting to some degree.

Some will have no further difficulties, but some will have problems such as increasingly noisy breathing, coughing and gagging, fainting

or collapsing episodes, and a decreased tolerance for exercise (ie. they tire easily). Over the long term, this also puts an increased strain

on the heart.   Some dogs, such as English bulldogs, may have frequent episodes of sleep-disordered breathing.

Overheating is especially dangerous in these breeds, because increased panting (the normal mechanism for cooling in dogs)

can cause further swelling and narrowing of the already constricted airways, which will increase your dog's anxiety. Excitement,

exercise, or warm weather (and especially a combination of these factors) can trigger this vicious cycle.  These dogs can also have

 gastrointestinal problems, because of difficulties coordinating swallowing when they are working so hard at breathing. This can result in

vomiting ar gagging because of swallowing so much air, or aspiration pneumonia, because of breathing in saliva or food particles.

All dogs of these breeds have an increased risk associated with sedation and anesthesia, for which your veterinarian will take extra precautions.    

Heat Stroke - is hyperhtermia/high body temperature that develops when the body's normal cooling mechanisms (mainly panting)

 are overcome by heat.  The body temperature in these dogs are often 106~ and above.  The first signs of heat stroke are extremely rapid,

 heavy panting.  He/she may vomit white foam or froth, which you must clear from the throat with your fingers.   In comparison to the size

of the bulldogs head their throats are small and it is possible for them to choke on their own phlegm.  Wedging an ice cube between the teeth

helps reduce the sewlling in the throat, caused by prolonged panting.  If they are producing froth or foam you can reach in and pull it out, or

use lemon juice squeezed directly into the back of the mouth to help cut the phlegm loose, causing the dog to vomit.  Once the throat has been

cleared & air can now pass up and down the trachea the body temperature must be immediately reduced.  Placing them in a bathtub with cold

running water or use an outdoor hose to cool them off.  If water is not at your disposal, place a bag of ice on top of  your bulldogs head; placing

ice cubes against the rectum will also help.  Once they seem to recover it is important to bring them to a vet, who will check him/her for shock,

a dangerous condition that follows severe heat stroke.

Taking your Bully out in the early morning or later at night when its cooler out during the hot days of summer.  You may find that your Bully

is content lying in the grass sunning himself, it is okay as long as he/she does not overexert themselves.  Again shade and fresh water must be available.

Bulldogs and Winter - please click on the following link :    http://thebca.org/Bulldogs%20and%20Winter.pdf

Allergies - Commonly occur and you should keep your eye out for any sensitivities in your bully.  Allergies cause itchy skin, so check for red patches,

scratches or anything that is not normal.  They can be caused by numerous things; food, mold, pollen and even bugs. 

Mange - There are two types : Demodetic mange is passed from the mother to her pups, affecting pups between the ages of  3 -10 months. 

Diagnosed by examining skin scrapings.  This type of mange does not cause intense scratching that sarcoptic mange does, with demodetic

mange your bully may experience hair loss.  Can be treated with medication and special shampoo.  If it is not widespread it may go away

on its own.  If it is wide spread it may need up to a year of treatment.

Hot Spots - Raw oozy patches of skin caused by a bug bite, or an itchy spot where your dog has bit or licked.  Use of a triple antibiotic cream

should alleviate the problem.  If the problem persists for more then 3 or 4 days, consult your vet, who may want to prescribe an oral antibiotic.

Interdigital Cysts - May be caused by almost anything that gets caught between your bullys toes and starts to work its way into the skin, 

 more then likely bulldogs will get them due to the short hair between their toes.  If you notice your bully licking or biting his/her toes, its time

 for a trip to the vet.

Eye Problems - Your bulldog may live its life and never have an eye problem, or it may have one or more of the following:

Entropion Eyelids -The inward turning of the lower eyelid, causing the lashes to rub against the cornea, becoming severely irritated or damaged. 

Easily corrected if caught early, prompt attention is necessary.

Ectropion Eyelids - The outward turning of the eyelids, a conditioin where the eyelids are loose causing a drooping of the eyelids margin. 

Mild cases can be treated with eye drops or salves in severe cases surgical procedure is preferred.

Cherry Eye -  A condition which a gland attached to the third eyelid gets inflamed and becomes a red swollen mass in the inside corner of the eye. 

Surgical procedure is necessary it remedy.

Dry Eye - The eye, does not produce tears.  If left untreated can cause blindness.  Treatment is usually eye drops prescribed by your vet. 

 Some dogs will begin producing tears on their own and the drops can be stopped, others may need drops for the rest of their lives.