Category: Health Tips

When bulldogs get hot, they cool off the same way all dogs do: They pant. But because a bulldog’s breathing system is shorter than the average dog’s, panting isn’t always easy and they may struggle to cool down quickly enough. It’s important that when your bulldog is walking or playing outside in hot weather that you monitor him or her closely to avoid missing the early signs of heat stroke.

How to tell if your bulldog is overheating:

Red ears—When a bulldog is beginning to overheat, the inside of his ears may flush red. If you notice this, there’s no need to panic. But know that it may be time to get your bulldog out of the sun and inside somewhere where it’s cooler.

Red, floppy tongue—If your bulldog’s tongue looks redder than usual and if it’s flopping out of his mouth while he’s panting, this may be a sign that your bulldog is in the beginning stages of heat stroke.

Heavy panting—One of the biggest signs your bulldog may be overheating is if he or she is panting heavily. Dogs do not sweat, so the only way they can regulate their body temperature is through panting. While panting during exertion is normal, heavy, labored panting is not.

Foaming—If your bulldog begins to pant so quickly that he or she starts to foam at the mouth, this is a sign that your bulldog’s temperature is dangerously high. If he shows signs of labored breathing followed by a “roaring” sound, this means the foam has now blocked his airway and your bulldog is struggling to breathe. If this happens, clear the bulldog’s throat by scooping out the foam with your fingers.

What to do if your bulldog has heatstroke:

Place your bulldog in a cool bath—Stand your dog up in the tub and wet him with water, paying extra attention to the head and tail. Rub her body with an ice pack or ice cubes.

If you don’t have a bathtub, pour water on him—Wet along his head, neck, underbelly and the inside of his legs.

Unblock the airway—Squirt lemon juice into her mouth, aiming for the back of the throat. This will help to clear away any foam that has formed. If lemon juice isn’t available, clear the foam away with your fingers. It’s important the bulldog’s airway remains unblocked.

Don’t let your bulldog gulp water—If he drinks too much water at once, he might vomit. This may cause even further blockage.

Take her to the vet—If your bulldog still looks distressed after you’ve unblocked the airway and cooled her off with ice and a water bath, take her to the vet. Lay her on a cool, wet towel in the car and continue to speak to her in quiet, calming tones throughout the drive over.

Preventative measures:

Preventing heat stroke is easy if you remain vigilant and follow a few simple tips.

• Take precautions when playing outside

If your bully loves to run and play in the park or backyard, make sure you periodically sponge him off with a wet sponge or towel to ensure he’s keeping cool. It can also help to wet his feet (particularly under his toes) and put ice cubes in his bowel. If your bulldog enjoys cool water baths, let him soak in a kiddie pool.

• Limit exercise on hot days

When it’s extremely hot out, it’s best to exercise your bulldog in the early morning or evening. If you take your bully for a walk, be sure to carry water with you. If your bulldog has white-colored ears, know that he or she may be extra vulnerable to skin cancer.

• Watch out for humidity

Extreme temperatures aren’t the only thing tough on bulldogs; humidity is, too. When bulldogs pant, they are working to remove moisture from their lungs so that they can keep cool. When the humidity is high, bulldogs have to work that much harder to eliminate the extra moisture, and that can also cause them to overheat.

• Take their temperature

If you’re unsure if your bulldog is overheating, take his or her temperature. If the thermometer shows a temperature of 104 degrees or higher, your furry guy or gal may have heat stroke. You’ll then need to take immediate action to cool your bully down.

• Don’t rely on a fan

Many dog owners assume if they turn on the fan before they leave the house, that will be sufficient for keeping their bulldogs cool. Dogs do not respond to heat the same way humans do, however. Since dogs often sweat through their feet, for example, an overhead fan won’t be of much help.

• Provide a lot of shade and water

Keep your bulldog protected from the sun by providing ample amounts of shade. Trees, umbrellas, tarps or anything else that doesn’t block air flow is best.

Whatever you do, do not keep your bulldog outside in a dog house. While the dog house may provide shade, it restricts air flow. In fact, sitting in a shaded dog house is actually worse then sitting in the direct sun!

A final note:

Don’t assume your bulldog will know when he’s about to overheat. If you’re outside in the sun, your bulldog may continue running and playing until he collapses, and by then, heatstroke might have already set in. Take preventative measures by periodically hosing your bulldog down or wiping him with a cool wet cloth or icepack.

Remember: The best way to treat heatstroke is to prevent it from every happening.

About Cascade Bulldogs: Cascade Bulldogs is a bulldog blog dedicated to providing bulldog care and tips. The blog features two famous bulldog show dogs, Snow White and Wildflower.

Related Posts:

• 5 Myths about Owning a Bulldog
• Summer Safety Tips for Bulldogs
• How to Train a Bulldog Puppy

Loyal and charming, bulldogs are a favorite pet for many families. Like any dog breed, however, they can sometimes develop health problems. The following list of common bulldog health problems will help you recognize the signs and symptoms so that you can treat the problems early, before they require potentially costly visits to the vet.

Hot Spots And Fungus Spots

“Hot spots” is the term used to describe the red, oozing, itchy patches that can sometimes develop on bulldogs as a result of allergies or bug bites. In order to treat hotspots, you’ll need to first cleanse the area with a pet shampoo and then rinse and dry thoroughly. For a quick cleanse, wipe the affected area with baby wipes containing Lanolin and Aloe. Then treat with topical medications like Sulfodene or cortisone cream. If you cleanse and apply medication to the hot spots every day, you should see improvement in a couple of days.

Fungus spots are fairly similar to hot spots, though they don’t ooze as much. Cleanse the area, making sure to remove any scabby tissue. Fungus responds best when using a sulfur-based shampoo. Treat with medications like Panalog or any anti-fungal medication. As with both conditions, if there’s no noticeable improvement, make an appointment to see your vet.

Interdigital Cysts

Interdigital cysts present as red swollen skin between the bulldog’s toes. If you suspect your dog may have a cyst between his or her toes, examine the paw, including between the pads, to be sure there’s no other issue (like a thorn, for instance). There are two common methods for treating interdigital cysts:

1. First, soak the affected paw in a bath of warm water with added epsom salt. After soaking, dry completely and apply Panalog.
2. Make an appointment with the vet and have him or her give you a prescription medication

After the visible symptoms go away, continue treating the cyst for a few days to be sure it doesn’t return.

Facial Acne And Infection

Bulldogs love sticking their noses into everything, and the dirt that they collect in the folds of their skin can cause acne and skin infections. Another source of facial acne can be plastic food and water dishes. Tiny cracks in the the plastic material can hold bacteria, which can lead to facial bacterial infections. You can treat these infections by cleaning the area and applying an antibiotic cream or Benzoyl Peroxide. If the issue persists, you should see your vet.

Bulldog Eye Problems

Under the bulldog’s bottom eyelid, near the inner corner, is a gland which can occasionally protrude or, for lack of a better term, “pop out”. Cherry eye, as it’s called, isn’t as gruesome as it sounds, and doesn’t need urgent care, though you should take your dog to the vet when you can. Treating it quickly will ensure a high chance of not having to remove the gland. If the gland must be removed, the bulldog will likely have a dry eye and require ointment for the rest of his or her life.

Hip And Knee Disorders

Hip dysplasia is a common ailment for bulldogs. According to the British Veterinary Association and the American Kennel Club (AKC), about 70% of bulldogs are diagnosed with some degree of hip dysplasia. Hip dysplasia causes pain, problems walking, and may cause the bulldog’s rear legs to be deformed.

Knee problems, like patellar luxation, are also common with bulldogs. Patellar luxation is a disorder where the kneecaps dislocate. Approximately six percent of bulldogs develop this. Patellar luxation causes pain and mobility issues and may need to be surgically corrected. It is also highly likely to reoccur even following surgery.

Tail

Some bulldog’s have a flap of skin around the base of the tail, essentially forming a pocket. This pocket area must be kept clean and dry to prevent infections. Clean it often and be sure the pocket is dry. Apply an ointment or drying powder as necessary.

Bulldog Respiration Difficulties

Bulldogs are known to have narrow airways and shortened nostrils, which can cause issues with respiration. These problems cause the dog to snore while sleeping and breathe through the mouth, both of which may need to be corrected with surgery to ensure the bulldog can breathe properly.

To learn more about the measures you can take to prevent these common bulldog health problems, read our Caring For Your Bulldog guide. Also, follow Cascade Bulldogs on Facebook for more bulldog tips and cute photos.

Snow White and Wildflower are fortunate to live in Washington State, where the summers are relatively mild in comparison to other areas of the country. Where elsewhere temperatures in June and July may reach the triple digits, in the Seattle area, the average high is in the low to mid 70s. Just because the temperatures aren’t scorching, however, doesn’t mean that bulldog moms and dads shouldn’t remain vigilant. Bulldogs are extra sensitive to heat and if they aren’t able to regulate their body temperatures, they succumb to heat stroke, which can be deadly.

In addition to the obvious ‘no’s no’s’ like “don’t leave your bulldog alone in the car” and “don’t tie your bulldog up outside in the sun”, here are some safety precautions to take this summer to ensure your bully remains happy, healthy and safe:

For more bulldog health and safety tips, read our guide to caring for your bulldog.

About Cascade Bulldogs

Cascade Bulldogs is a bulldog blog managed by Gail and Eddie, the owners of two bulldog show dogs, Snow White and Wildflower. This blog is dedicated to providing information about raising, training and showing bulldogs.