French Bulldog with unsolved issues
 

Hi everyone. We've had our mini french bulldog (Lola) for almost 3 years now. Ever since we had her spayed she's been having consistent skin issues. Here is a list of symptoms she's been having on a regular basis.

-Constantly scratching, skin irritation (mainly in the neck and stomach area, dandruff)†
-Biting at her hind legs (to almost bald)
-She get's really sweaty easy and the odor is bad
-She develops lumps/pimple type cysts all over (mainly on her legs and rib area)

We have been to multiple veterinarians, specialists (allergies) and nothing has cured her. The only thing that has worked immediately is giving her a steroid pill. Obviously this is a temporary fix and we are looking for a healthy solution. We have gone through dozens of remedies and strict/monitored diets for her. We did allergy tests for her and they said she was allergic to almost everything out there (beef, fish, grass, etc.), almost unbelievable. We put her (and still keep her) on a strict chicken/rice/sweet potato diet, stuff she wasn't allergic to. Her portions are measured and she is in great shape (amazing physical shape). This hasn't made a difference in her symptoms so we tried a anti-fungus type medication from the allergy specialist; no difference. We tested her for worms, yeast levels (a bit higher than normal), but nothing that stood out. Since she sweats and smells really bad, we give her a bath 2x a week, tried to make it less, but its intolerable. We've tried oatmeal baths, pinesol/pantene, medicated shampoo's, hypoallergic shampoos, and nothing. Her skin gets really red and dry after baths (no blow drying), but the smell is just god awful.

From all this, our best guess was that she has some fungus/yeast infection issue. Everything seems to be external, but haven't found anything to work.

On a daily basis, Lola is just looking for someone to scratch her. It's almost eating away at her daily life. After all this time and effort, I can't believe that nothing has worked. I guess my only hope would be to keep trying different things. Otherwise, she appears to be as healthy as can be. We walk her daily, she is fit and full of energy, her stool looks normal (we've had it tested and came back fine). If anyone has suggestions or pointers, I have open ears. Thanks for listening...

[IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v701/wrxzboost/Lola/014.jpg[/IMG]

Beautiful dog. Instead of giving her a bath, could you use non scented baby wipes on her? Might help with the smellies and sooth her skin.

So I noticed this happening to my Boston Terrier about 6 mths of age, maybe after her spay, but I definately noticed after her 6 mth shots. :shrug: We had similar problems, red type blisters, constant scratching and did all the tests with no conclusions. If her skin smells, she may need an antibiotic treatment. Did u look into Psoriasis, it's a condition that is smelly. Marty too spends her day looking for back scratchers....:( We did it all and have resorted to steroids unfortunately. Are u in touch with the breeder by chance? If you get any answers I would appreciate your input.

Did she get a Thyroid test????

[QUOTE=Shaykeija;992144]Beautiful dog. Instead of giving her a bath, could you use non scented baby wipes on her? Might help with the smellies and sooth her skin.[/QUOTE]

we've tried the wipes and sprays, but even the scented ones just mask the smell.

[QUOTE=Marty11;992202]So I noticed this happening to my Boston Terrier about 6 mths of age, maybe after her spay, but I definately noticed after her 6 mth shots. :shrug: We had similar problems, red type blisters, constant scratching and did all the tests with no conclusions. If her skin smells, she may need an antibiotic treatment. Did u look into Psoriasis, it's a condition that is smelly. Marty too spends her day looking for back scratchers....:( We did it all and have resorted to steroids unfortunately. Are u in touch with the breeder by chance? If you get any answers I would appreciate your input.[/QUOTE]

We have the contacted the breeder but they hadn't known of such conditions. They suggested a different wash (pine-sol/pantene), but it didn't make a difference.

We'll be doing the thyroid test next. That is a good suggestion. So far, we've done skin tests, stool tests, blood work, and allergy tests (not accurate IMO). I'll also look into Psoriasis.

The fungal medication Lola was prescribed is ketoconazole. It didn't work at first and we stopped everything because she had a bad breakout/reaction during this. We weren't sure if it was from the medicine or a different shampoo. We'll try it again also...

The steroid she takes is dexamethasone and this works immediately. Thanks for all your responses thus far. And she LOVES laying in the sun. She will lay anywhere there is sun and the doctor told us its good for her as it produces vitamin d.

[IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v701/wrxzboost/Lola/003-1.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v701/wrxzboost/Lola/010.jpg[/IMG]

I'm sorry made a mistake on that skin disorder, it's called Seborrhea. I've had to spray under Marty's armpits with Dermacool, it's an anit-inflammitory spray. It really soothes her skin. I also use Canadian medicated shampoo but I follow it with Resisoothe conditioner (it's a leave in).

I can't offer anything on the skin condition but have you tried oatmeal shampoo it is very soothing for the skin all natural too. It was the only thing I could use on my EB and my Shar Pei due to skin problems. Good luck and your frenchie Lola is verrrry cute

thought i would give a little update...

just a few weeks ago, Lola had an extreme breakout of lumps/cysts covering her entire body; and i mean ENTIRE body. she was running around the house crawling on the ground and trying to scratch everywhere possible. we gave her a steroid to calm her down till the next day. we took her to the vet, 3-4 times in the following 2 weeks. she was throwing up, not eating, blood in stool, out of control breakouts, and no desire to leave the couch. i worked from home a few days to keep on eye on her.

her thyroid results came back negative. stool samples didn't reveal anything. the vet gave her some fluid shots to keep her hydrated the days we visited. we went over her allergy list and changed her diet to turkey/sweet potato/regular potato (all home cooked). her breakouts are gone and she is back to normal. i'm not sure if her recent health issues were due to food allergies, as she has always been on a strict diet. has never eaten food off the dinner table, etc. I think we will stick with this food regiment for now. Our only other thought was that she swallowed something large based on her vomiting/stool and behavior.

As originally posted, she still stinks lol. I bathe her 2x a week because she just cannot control her body odor. We will slowly try and find a shampoo as long as she stays healthy. it's been a crazy last month so far. we can live with the stinky armpits, but the stuff she went through was extreme.

Whew! A rough go! :grouphug: Glad you got it under control and she's doing well on the new diet! Good job! :goodvibes:

How's Lola feeling theses day?
 

Hi my name is Christina from RI and I have a frenchie too. I completely understand what you and your family were going thru. Is Lola skin allergies the same? I went thru the same treatments and seen numerous board certified vets that specialize in dermatology as well as the FB breed. Sad to say but the science is just not there yet to figure out this breed. If i was rich i with hire a biologist and chemist to narrow down FB allergies. With my experiences and other frenchie owners in the dog show arena - ONLY you know your dog better than anyone! And don't let other frenchie owners say that your dog is damaged....what they don't tell you is you are not alone most frenchies if not all have issues. I seen many many frenchies and I haven't found one that doesn't have a health condition whether minor or major. The most important part if your vet can narrow down if Lola's issue is genetic or not or both. It a game with skin allergies but if you make sure her ph levels are even that could be the key. What I mean is her ph balance is related to her skin problems as well as her enivornment. Do you see more allergies in the summer or winter? Also did the culture from the vet lab come back mold or yeast(fungus). Most likely yeast if the skin smells. Ever try giving lola the steroid only in the summer and using gold bond power all year round? Also get rid of the shampoos that have sugar like oatmeal yeast love sugar. And remove sugar from diet like sweet potatoes? How about keeping it simple like the blue dawn hand soap that is gentle to clean Lola twice a week. Also if Lola got just one bite from a flea she can be allergic and breakout on top of the yeast going on. Even if she taking flea medication it can still happen especially if the flea medication does not kill larva. Vectra is the only flea medication that prevents an allergic reaction. I hope this helps and I really am sorry that Lola was or is in recurring pain. These bullies have a high tolerance of pain thus wise called bull and stress can take a toll on you. I am wishing you and Lola the best. One more thing I never post any comments but your post hit me hard personally. Take care from one frenchie parent to another.

Unfortunately, Charliebb, this thread is over three years old.

But I see you suggest using a steroid in summer. I'd like to suggest folks research Atopica or the newer Apoquel. Both are very strong drugs and not to be taken lightly but are said to be a lesser evil than steroids. For part time or all year use.

Other avenues to investigate are a Vet that specializes in Dermatology. Not just any Vet.

Right now my boy has had IBD and I had to take him off the Atopica, that did work. So we are trying holistic medicine. It's got him over his IBD so I hope it works better for him than it did for my friend who's Lab's allergies were not helped one bit and it's the same holistic Vet.

New thread
 

longbade, my reply was to the person needing help with FBs. I realize the age of the post was 3 years old but I am passionate about FB issues due to my experiences. I empathize with any FB owner that has had horrific troubles figuring out skin issues , bladder stones ...and the list goes on.

I was once told by a well known breeder 30 years experience) and show dog owner like me that the OWNER knows more than anyone online or even the best vet about your dog. I love my vet and he saved my dogs life with surgeries but when it comes to allergies and diets, the science is not there. holistic and eastern concepts are even more of a shot in the dark. I will not sprinkle oregano on an allergic outbreak and light incense or any other suggestion from a post. Steroids used in moderation help and don't cause more harm. fBs only live 10 years. Get them a steroid shot or 4 days on prednisone for a bad allergic reaction. For yeast, Ketonazole works great. Western medicine for frenchies. Too great a dog to think new diets and weird remedies should be tried over and over.

[QUOTE=Charliebooboo;1067544]I was once told by a well known breeder 30 years experience) and show dog owner like me that the OWNER knows more than anyone online or even the best vet about your dog.[/QUOTE]
Just on an academic point, gotta disagree with this here. I do think it's VERY important for owners to trust their instincts and to follow those instincts, but I also think that it's dangerous to put that pressure and that responsibility of what is *best* for the dog on the owner, who most of the time doesn't have the background or knowledge of what is out there that can help the dog.

[QUOTE]
I love my vet and he saved my dogs life with surgeries but when it comes to allergies and diets, the science is not there. holistic and eastern concepts are even more of a shot in the dark. I will not sprinkle oregano on an allergic outbreak and light incense or any other suggestion from a post. Steroids used in moderation help and don't cause more harm. fBs only live 10 years. Get them a steroid shot or 4 days on prednisone for a bad allergic reaction. For yeast, Ketonazole works great. Western medicine for frenchies. Too great a dog to think new diets and weird remedies should be tried over and over.[/QUOTE]
There is nothing special about FB in the sense that they are just another messed up breed out there, caused by breeding practices that have not served the health of the breed. Having had a GSD, I feel completely comfortable saying that, since that is also a breed in a similar condition, and these breeds are not alone.

The problem is that allergies and the immune system, though how they work are founded on science, in practice it's an art and a skill due to the different way that individual immune systems respond to stimuli. I do believe that it takes active guidance on the owner's part, but to give "all in one" advice like the above does a disservice to the dog, and, frankly, I practice a different type of health philosophy, so consider some of it wrong, or more kindly, misplaced.

While I appreciate your passion, I would definitely suggest that any owner be active in their dog's care, do the research, and find what works - it may or may not involve things that are mentioned here.