In 2008, according to the American Kennel Club (AKC), the bulldog was number seven on the top ten list of favorite breeds in the United States. Like all dog breeds, English bulldogs are prone to develop various types of allergies that can be caused by inhalation, flea bites, food, allergic contact dermatitis and bacteria. Almost all dogs respond to allergies with adverse reactions involving their skin. The most common symptoms are itching, scratching, mutilated skin, hair loss, chewing on feet, licking and rubbing of the head.
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Skin Allergy Definition
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Your dog will develop a skin allergy when his immune system overreacts to a specific foreign substance or molecule called an "allergen" or "antigen." Some dogs have more sensitive immune systems than others. When an allergen enters your bulldog's body through inhalation, digestion or physical contact, he will produce a protein, called "IgE." These proteins then attach themselves to tissue mast cells in his skin. This attachment causes various irritating chemicals (i.e. histamine) to be released. These chemicals are responsible for subsequent allergic symptoms, such as severe itching.
Atopy
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Inhalant (atopy) allergies are the most common cause of English bulldog skin allergies. Your bulldog may develop an allergy to a specific allergen that he inhales, such as pollen, mold, mildew or dust mites. Many of these inhalant allergies can be seasonal in nature (i.e. pollen), which makes treatment somewhat easier to diagnose. Treatments your veterinarian may recommend are antihistamines (i.e. Tavist, Benadryl), Omega-3 fatty acids (i.e. Omega Pet, Derm Caps), immunotherapy allergy shots or steroids such as Prednisone.
Fleas
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Another common cause of skin allergies in English bulldogs is fleas. Dogs generally are not allergic to fleas, but to the saliva that enters their skin from a flea bite. To accurately diagnose a flea allergy, your veterinarian will perform a skin test that must be read within 15 minutes and then again in 48 hours to confirm the diagnosis. The best type of treatment is to follow a strict flea control regime. The two most popular flea control medications are Frontline and Advantage, which require you to apply a topical ointment once a month on the back of his neck.
Food
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According to PetEducation, only about 10% of all dog allergies are caused by food. Common food ingredients that English bulldogs become allergic to over time are beef, chicken, milk, fish, corn and soy. The best type of treatment is to conduct an elimination diet regime. For 12 weeks, you need to give your bulldog a homemade diet of an unfamiliar carbohydrate and protein, such as rice and rabbit. Then each week, you need to add one ingredient, such as beef, and observe for any reactions. You need to continue this process until the food ingredient causing the allergy is found.
Contact
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Your English bulldog may develop skin allergy symptoms due to allergic contact dermatitis. Even though this cause of allergy is uncommon in dogs, your dog can develop an allergic reaction on his skin to physical contact with certain plants, medications and various chemicals. Unlike irritant contact dermatitis, in which an adverse reaction occurs immediately, allergic contact dermatitis usually requires sensitization that can take from six months to two years to develop. The best treatment for this type of allergy is avoidance. It is best to give your English bulldog a bath and then confine him to a limited area away from suspected substances. For short-term relief your veterinarian may prescribe antihistamines or steroids. However, in the long run, it is best to gradually introduce your dog to different substances one at a time and look for reactions.
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