French bulldogs are such cute and chubby dogs that anyone would fall in love with this dog after seeing them. Many probable dog owners choose this breed for their somber yet funny look and calm yet protective nature.
But there are several facts about the French bulldogs that the owners should be aware of beforehand. If someone is interested then he or she can get ample information about the ailments of the Frenchies that are available online.
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Are food allergies common to French bulldogs?
There are different types of food items that can cause allergies to the French bulldogs. From the soy, gluten, or wheat-related products, from milk or some other dairy products, or from the by-products of chicken can the bulldogs get allergenic.
When the bulldogs suffer from such allergies, then they usually have itchiness on the skin, which later can turn red partially. Also, there are other symptoms like coughing, sneezing, and dermatitis. Hives and pruritus along with crusting lesions are also seen among different French bulldogs.
What can cause allergies to the French bulldogs?
Allergy is an ailment that is caused among any creature due to the presence of antibodies. When some particular food goes into the stomach, these antibodies start to affect the intestine of the dog. The outward symptoms of such allergies are pretty similar to that of the human with French bulldogs.
Protein is often the culprit. Now dogs usually have protein as the main food source. But the protein from the items like chicken, beef, some particular fish, lamb, soy, or chicken eggs has been proven to be allergenic for this breed of dog.
Other than the meat sources, dairy products, corn or wheat are also causes of allergies for the bulldogs.
How the environment affects the allergenic condition of the French bulldog?
Not only food but sometimes the environment can be the cause of the allergies for the French bulldogs. When they are in touch with dust, pollen, or dust mites they may get choked by being hypersensitive to such allergens. The antibodies present in their body releases histamine, a hormone that increases the reactions like itchiness or suffocation. There can be respiratory problems too.
So keep your French bulldog away from dust mites, animal dander, or mold spores which are pretty good at making your dog sick.
How do you understand that your French bulldog is suffering from an allergy?
Other than the skin issues, often the French bulldog suffers from internal symptoms which are indications of allergy attacks. When the problem is gastrointestinal then the dog will vomit the food that it consumes. Also, it can have diarrhea, dehydration, or pancreatitis. Only the vet can assure you about the cause of such problems and thus it will be best for your dog to be taken to the nearest chamber.
Also, other symptoms like lethargy and lack of energy are some common problems found in French bulldogs. If ignored for a long time, the allergy can even cause weight loss, and then it will turn lethal for the dog.
Food intolerance is often seen among the French bulldogs, and when it is in the mild form, it will not cause much trouble other than some sounds coming from the tummy of the dog or gas causing some discomfort or lack of appetite for some hours or a day. This does get cured normally without any dose of medication.
What are seasonal allergies?
In some particular seasons the allergens like pollen, mites, and dust increase in the air. This usually happens at the time of fall and summer. The air becomes dry and thus the small particles can easily stay afloat.
When the French bulldog is taken for a walk in the evenings or in the mornings, then these allergens affect it and the dog gets a bout of allergy.
How can you keep your dog from getting affected by allergies when taken for a walk?
As allergy causes irritation and itching on the skin of the bulldog, it is pretty normal for them to try to lick or itch with their teeth. But the result can be vicious, as the biting on the affected spots will increase the infection and a larger part of the skin will get affected this way.
Also when you apply for the lotion or medicine on the affected skin area then the dog should not try to touch that part with its tongue or teeth.
To avoid such conditions, you have to make the dog wear an Elizabethan collar, more popularly known as a cone, around its neck. It will prevent the creature from licking or chewing the part that is already affected, and the recovery will be faster. If the allergy persists for a longer time then the vets will prescribe some antibiotics to cure the problem.
Can Benadryl be given to French bulldogs when suffering from allergies?
Yes, Benadryl is one of the well-known and well-applied medicines for dogs to cure any kind of allergies. This medicine is easily tolerated by the French bulldogs. This is much famous over-the-counter drug that is beneficial for most dogs.
How can you treat the food allergy of your French bulldog?
The first step of curing the allergy is identifying the item which is causing the allergy. Not all allergenic items cause allergy to all the French bulldogs, and the cause usually differs in individual cases. What you need to follow is an elimination diet.
The items that are known to be allergenic should be stopped for a week. Then you can start giving one item each day and wait for two more days to see if the dog gets attacked by any kind of allergy.
This way you will be able to check each item once and make sure which one is not right for your French bulldog.
In some cases, this elimination diet does not work. If you are unable to cure your French bulldog and the symptoms are not reducing then you have to check the blood of your dear pet for the allergy types. This is not a self-prescribed test and you have to consult a vet for this.
The report shall be checked by the vet and the proper medicines will be given to cure your dog of the allergy.
Finding the right allergens from the thousands of items in nature is not easy. You have to take the help of your vet to get a solution for this. Corticosteroids and antihistamines are some usual medicines that are offered to dogs suffering from such allergic conditions.
If the allergy is skin-related then some topical lotions and ointments are prescribed. The scabs, itchy red spots, and bald spots are cured by such medicines. But you have to make sure that the dog does not lick the affected part, after applying for the medicine. Skin medicines are often much harmful if the dog somehow consumes them.
How allergy supplement is beneficial for French bulldogs?
Some dog owners find the allergy supplements much helpful. Usually, these are chewable supplements that come in the favorite flavor of the French bulldogs. These supplements are always grain-free and keep the skin, bone structure, and digestive system healthy and strong.
Often the vets suggest some probiotics for the dogs which boosts the immunity and keeps the core strong and healthy. There are various food items that contain probiotics so you can start giving your dog such foods so it does not get affected by any kind of illnesses or allergies.
How can you offer a treat to the allergenic French bulldogs?
Very often the treats that are used to train the French bulldog contain some allergenic food items like wheat, chicken, and soy. You have to choose the treats that will not contain such items and will be made as per the particular directions of the vets.
Not only treats, sometimes the toothpaste used for the brushing of your French bulldog may contain some allergenic products. If your dog is suffering from allergies even after you have eliminated all the allergenic items from its diet, then check the ingredients of the toothpaste. Also using human toothpaste may cause different kinds of illnesses in your pet dog and that is always avoidable.
Can you offer antihistamine to your French bulldog?
As we have already mentioned that histamine causes different kinds of allergies among bulldogs, you can give some regular antihistamine drugs like chlortrimeton to your French bulldog. The vets usually prescribe this drug to give to the dog twice a day, the amount of the medicine depends upon the age and size of the dog though.
Conclusion:
Allergy is not a negligible problem and it should be treated as soon as it gets noticed. Do not wait for the French bulldog to suffer from gastrointestinal problems severely or else it will be a painful experience for this small pet. When adopting a French bulldog you must be aware of its tendency of getting allergenic.
Food and environmental allergy are differently treated and also you need to be cautious of taking the dog to any place or feeding anything where it can get allergies easily.
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