Folliculitis in Bulldogs

Folliculitis is a skin infection caused by the staph bacteria, staphylococcus aureus, that causes inflammation and reddening of the skin around hair follicles. Bull dogs are prone to getting folliculitis, primarily due to their physical features. Dogs with flat faces, such as bulldogs, have an increased chance of getting the infection. When the condition does occur, symptoms generally are confined to the back, legs and head.

  1. Causes

    • The main cause of folliculitis in bulldogs is due to bug bites. Bug bites create small open wounds around hair follicles. When this happens, the hair follicles become damaged, allowing the staph bacteria to enter the hair root and causing folliculitis. Bulldogs can also get folliculitis through fungal, bacterial and viral infections.

    Symptoms

    • Symptoms of folliculitis primarily occur on the bulldog's back, legs, mouth and jawline. The condition is characterized by Itchy, crusted and reddened skin. Pimples may also appear around the hair follicle. The longer that treatment is delayed, the more the infection will spread, with the symptoms potentially appearing all over the body and deeper into the skin.

    Diagnosis

    • To diagnose folliculitis, the bulldog should be taken to the veterinarian. The veterinarian will take samples of the dog's fur and skin tissue and test it for the staph bacteria, along with ruling out other skin conditions, such as scabies and psoriasis. If the test for folliculitis is positive, then the veterinarian will prescribe topical and oral treatments.

    Treatment

    • If the bulldog is diagnosed with folliculitis, it might also have eczema as a co-condition. If this is the case, the veterinarian will prescribe a medication for both skin infections. Antibiotics and medicated shampoo are typically prescribed. Seeking treatment, as soon as possible, is crucial since the longer the bulldog has folliculitis, the deeper it will get into skin layers, and the harder it will be to treat. Nutrition also plays a big role in the bulldog's health and its susceptibility to folliculitis, including diets that are rich in fat and protein. Rotating your bulldog's diet every four months gives it a variety of different nutrients and increases its immune system.