Tag: french bulldog

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Can Bulldogs Swim by Todd Howard BigBulldogs.com?

Todd Howard BigBulldogs.com: Hi, I have always been told and read on every Bulldog website that Bulldogs cannot swim. However I live here in Southern California and my neighbor has a nice pool and 2 Bulldogs that are great swimmers. Why does everyone say they can’t swim when its not true?

The better question to ask.  Is it safe for me to allow my Bulldog to swim? I have experienced many Bulldogs that love to swim and do a great job…..However I do not advise it. Why? Because Bulldogs do not have a good respiratory system and are cardio challenged. 

Every summer I receive phone calls from wonderful loving people who lost their Bulldog in a drowning accident that should not have happened. All it takes is for the temperature and humidity to be higher than normal and Bully to be a little more tired than normal and tragedy can strike.

BigBulldogs.com advice for people who teach their Bulldogs to swim.

1. Don’t teach them to swim in the first place….. but if you must.
2. Ensure that your pool is secured by a fence when you are absent.
3. Get Bully a life jacket and make him wear it. 
4. Make sure that he knows where the steps are so that he has a chance to get out should he accidentally fall in.
5. Do not use a soft pool cover. If Bully falls in, he will have no chance because the cover will swallow him up preventing him from swimming. 

All in all, I don’t think its a good idea to teach Bully to swim in the first place. I so hate to get those phone calls.

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How often should I clean my Bulldogs Wrinkles?

Every Bulldog book that I read says that I must clean Bully’s face wrinkles daily. How often do you think that I should clean my Bulldogs Wrinkles?

Each week at least 3 people will call or email me, stating that their Bully has a rash or infection in his facial creases and ask me what they should do about it.

I always ask the following question. Are you cleaning them properly? They always respond, yes every day just like I am supposed to.

You might know by reading through my site that I am not the most conventional follow the rules, do what everyone else does kind of guy. You might say that I’m sort of a Rebel. In fact I teach my 13 year old son if everyone is moving to the left, then you may strongly consider moving to the right. haha 

Therefore when I research and read, I only use the information that I obtain as a tool, not always the gospel truth as many people do. I know every Bulldog book in print says that you must clean Bully’s wrinkles daily to prevent an infection. This never made sense to me. When you clean Bully’s Wrinkles daily, you are actually wiping away Bully’s good bacteria from under his folds. This good bacteria is necessary in fighting off bad bacteria and infections. In my mind that was a recipe for disaster to which has proven to be correct.

In response to your question:
1. I have never once cleaned a Bulldogs Wrinkles other than when bathing.
2. I have never once had a Bulldog that had an infection between the wrinkles.

So you may ask, what do I do if I already have a problem.
1. Wash area with warm soapy water, rinse thoroughly and dry.
2. Apply Betadine on the effected area with a cotton ball, completely saturating the area.
3. Ask your Veterinarian to place Bully on an antibiotic called Cephalexin for 14 days.
4. One week later, re-apply the Betadine.
5. Leave it alone.

I know it sounds simple, but remember you don’t have to believe everything that you hear or read. Much false information comes from very nice well meaning people who are merely passing on false information that they believe is true. The content on my site is not meant to diagnose, treat or cure any health conditions. It is merely my opinions and many remedies that I have learned through my vast experience as a Bulldog breeder.  I hope this helps you. 

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My Bulldog has been diagnosed with Severe Hip Dysplasia , Demodex Mange, Subluxating Pattellas and Cherry Eye. What do I do?

Question: We spoke to you in the past and you said if we had any questions or needed your advise about bulldogs to feel free to ask. We purchased a bully that is 6 months old now from what we now understand was a hobby breeder ;( From 2 months after we picked her up the Vet has been watching her patella’s and radiograph confirmed them grade 3 sub-luxation.  Radiograph also confirm moderate to severe hip dysplasia the balls are mushroom shape.  She has a case of Cherry Eye and is being treated for demodex mange.  Our English Bulldog is only six months old.  What would u do? What in ur opinion is the outlook for her?  We are so upset.

 

The BigBulldog: Don’t be upset. Sounds like a Bulldog thang to me. (haha)  First unless your BigBulldog is having real knee problems, I would not be concerned with her patellas. (If she is limping, it is often times growing pains, not her patellas taht causes her to limp, even if they show signs of subluxation.) Time and a good Vet that’s not trying to rip u off will tell the story. Even if she does have patella subluxation, many times it does not become problematic for the Bulldog for his or her whole life. Its not like your Bulldog is a marathon runner. Right?

Secondly MANY English Bulldogs are mis-diagnosed withe Severe Hip dysplasia. I have heard this a diagnosed hundred times and it not be the case. (see the article in www.BigBulldogs.com for (Growth Development / Hip & Joint Problems) The English Bulldog relies heavily on the muscles to hold his/her hips in place. Most ALL English Bulldogs have very shallow joints. Some Bulldogs hips are not even in the joint at all, and have zero problems. He is only 6 months old and going through all sorts of growth patterns, allow him time to grow until she’s at least 2 years old. (I would advise for you to keep him on Adult food, not puppy. I use IAMS Adult Mini Chunk.) Adult food has less protein and causes Bullie to grow slower, which is good. More times than not the problems will be non existant when he is full grown.

Thirdly the good old Cherry Eye. Complely normal, nothing to be upset about. (See the Cherry Eye article on my website www.BigBulldogs.com) it will help to explain it better.
Fourthly Demodex (see  the Demodex article on my website www.BigBulldogs.com). Completely normal and once again, nothing to get steamed over. (I’d guess that he had a Rabies Shot within a month of showing Demodex symptoms. Right? My dogs receive Ivermectin monthly to alleviate the possibilities of this normal problem.

Lastly…Why is you breeder not telling you this??? See you should have purchase your dog from me? Haha. If you had you would be 100% educated and you would not be upset. Remember, Most people want to blame the breeder first without having all of the facts. In my opinion, it sounds like you are in ok shape. So calm down and wait to see. I bet your Bulldog ends up just fine. Hope this helps.   

Todd Howard
“The Big Bulldog”

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Spaying and Neutering your Bulldog.

Question: At what age should I have my Bulldog fixed? My Vet said that it was very important to have them fixed so that they don’t have a high cancer risk, but not to do it until he is at least 1 year old so that he grows to full size. Do you agree with this?

The BigBulldog: I have heard many Veterinarians state that altering the pet early in life will help prevent certain types of cancers, and the pet will live longer. I agree that if a male dog does not have his testicles then his chances of contracting testicular cancer goes to zero….. But then again if I have my liver removed, then you can bet 100% that I will not have liver cancer. Right? 

I do believe in spaying and neutering. It makes for a much better more peaceful/ calm less anxious pet. All of our dogs are sold as pets and we do not sell to breeders. However if you want to breed back within my organization, then I always guarantee to take the puppies and find them a home should the owner of the Mom Bulldog not be successful in doing so.

Years ago I was told the same thing regarding waiting until the dog was 1 year old so that he grows to his full size before getting him neutered. I assure you that this is one of those wives tales that has been passed from generation to generation and is entirely untrue. I have seen some of the biggest most muscular English Bulldogs and French Bulldogs that were neutered at 6 months as I recommend and other small lanky thin Bulldogs that was neutered at 1 year of age or more. The bottom line is genetics, not testicles.

In my opinion if you want a great dog, neuter or spay at 6 months. Its more important in Males to neuter at this age before he develops all of those embarrassingly disgusting male habits like humping your stuffed animals, lipstick display and lifting his leg and doing the pee pee dance everywhere.

Heck come to think of it, I would have been much better off if my parents had neutered me at 6 months old. How about you???

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Demodex Mange

Do I have a poorly bred dog because he has DEMODEX?

Many veterinarians believe that all dogs have small numbers of Demodex mites residing in the skin and that having a few mites is normal and common. It is when immune related, or nutritional or environmental stresses impact the dog that visible skin lesions from mite infestations become noticeable.

Can Demodex mites be inherited?

ANSWER: No. The mites are not present on the fetus while the fetus is developing from an embryo in the uterus. However, if the mother has Demodex mites present in/on her skin, the mites can invade the new fetus’ skin immediately after birth. Since many dogs have Demodex mites present in their skin, and never actually develop noticeable skin lesions, the mother may not even be showing any signs of mites and yet transmit mites to the newborn pups. The pups may or may not develop a clinical case of mites

What are the accepted Treatments for Demodex in the dog?
Mitaban was a commonly used treatment for Demodex and had a proven record of successes. This prescription-only product is diluted with water and applied to the dog’s skin according to the product directions. Repeated applications are almost always required. This product may no longer be available. On occasion a veterinarian may decide to use a product called Ivermectin. This product must be very carefully calculated regarding dosages that are effective and not toxic. The use of Ivermectin in treating Demodex needs to be discussed with the owner prior to use since it has not been labeled for use against Demodex. Another treatment that is sometimes used is oral milbemycin given daily for six to eight weeks. Lime-Sulphur dips have been used in the past and some veterinarians continue to prefer this therapy for demodex. Ivermectin in fairly high doses is also used… with owner’s consent and with caution!

frank-mange1   1-25-6
2-24-6

Frank:

We rescued Frank from his owner who was at her wits end in his treatment. They no longer had the time or willingness to help him. Two months later he has recovered 100% and currently lives with a wonderful family in Southern CA. We have been able to keep his Demodex suppressed and he has had no further outbreaks. Franks new family absolutely adores him. Can you tell? Fank has been free from symptoms for more than a year now and is doing awesome. We love you Frank.

Hi Todd & Family,

It’s the Brooks Family here in Yorba Linda, CA. We adopted the Magnificant Frank back in June 2006. You had resuced him from a prior owner when he was suffering from Mange. Well….he is GORGEOUS!! Fat & happy. (he’s on a bit of diet right now). We thought we would send some photos taken yesterday at the lake right down the street from our house.

Hope all is well with you & your family.
Dow, Megan, Daniella & Frank “The Tank” Brooks
xoxoxoxo 7-27-08

Drucilla:

A year or so ago, one of our associate rescue groups, Animal Pals in Temecula called us to rescue Drucilla. She was found walking the streets with a terrible case of Demodex. After 2 months of treatment she was totally cured and has been mange free since.

This picture does not show the real magnatude of the Demodex. It is my belief that her owners, put her out instead of spending the money to fix her. What a shame. She is a great dog. We spayed her and she currently lives with my friend in Riverside County, CA. I will get a picture of her soon and post her NOW picture. She is gorgeous.