My French Bulldog has a rash in his facial folds. What can I do?

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! I can see how the skin is red in the folds on his face under the left eye. It is not unusual for pugs, frenchies and bull dogs to get a facial fold dermatitis. Moisture builds up in the wrinkles and an infection can occur. There are wipes you can get to to wipe the affected areas. I like Mal-a-ket wipes or Douxo chlorhex wipes. Your Vet should carry them Good luck!

The most common reason for the smell in facial folds is an overgrowth of a normal yeast that grows on the skin called Malassezia. There are a number of medicated wipes that have an anti-fungal medication in them that might help with the smell. The most common anti-fungal ingredients in the topical wipes is miconazole or ketoconazole. You can ask your veterinarian which products they carry. I generally recommend a medicated wipe over a cream because a cream can actually add moisture to the skin fold and allow even more yeast to grow in the area. Good luck! I hope that was helpful and answered your question. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

This is very likely to be a scrotal dermatitis. It could be cause by a contact allergy or irritation or by a infective agent (bacteria, fungal). I strongly recommend to avoid any licking, chewing or scratching of the area (Gizmo would probably need a buster collar) otherwise the inflammation wan't disappear. You could bath the area with some diluted hibiscrub once a day for 3 days but if the problem persist a check up with the vet and prescription meds might be needed. Please post again on the forum if you would like to discuss it further. I hope my answer was helpful.

Breeds like French bulldogs are prone to irritation and skin infections in the jowl area. The overhanging lips creates a perfect environment for bacteria. Sometimes this can become itchy. Pets can also develop allergies to foods or certain toys or even food bowls. I recommend to call your veterinarian. They may need to check Marlowe for an infection. They often carry medicated wipes for owners to use at home to prevent irritation and infection. Also make sure to clean his toys, food and water bowls once a week with hot soapy water and rinse well. Make sure his food and water bowls are metal or ceramic. Best of luck.

I recommend that you sue a medicated wipe like Dechra MalAcetic HC Wipes to clean the skin folds once daily. There is not magical way to keep it dry except to dry it with a clean towel when it gets wet, like after mealtimes or after bathing. If Rooney's eyes water more than seems normal, it may be wise to have him checked out by a vet to discuss possible causes and specific treatments. Many Bulldogs also have food allergies and some skin issues can be resolved by finding an appropriate dog food - this can also be discussed with your vet.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! If she tests negative for mange, I would be suspicious that this may be due to skin allergies. It really comes down to figuring out what is causing her allergies so that they can be treated or the specific allergen avoided. There are many things that can cause allergies though in most cases they can be broken down into 3 big categories: flea, food and environmental allergies. Allergies are usually worked up in a stepwise fashion starting with flea allergies as this is the easiest and cheapest to take care of. If not on a flea preventative, then it would be a good idea to get started on one. If already on one then it would be a good idea to change to something else (there are many new products out in the market). If not improved in 1-3 months then it is time to move on and check for food allergies by switching to a novel diet (new protein and new carbohydrate). If that does not seem to be the issue then you are left out having to check for environmental allergies which require blood and/or skin tests. Allergies can be very frustrating to deal with at first but so rewarding at the end when we are able to treat them effectively!

Breeds like Penelope are prone to skin infections in the folds. If the balms and wipes are not helping, I recommend to have her examined by her veterinarian. She may need an antibiotic or a medicated wipes. Your veterinarian also may carry products for routine cleaning which help to adjust the pH of the skin and this can help prevent infections. Lastly, if she seems itchy, it’s possible she has allergies. It is best to rule out an infection first and foremost. I hope this helps.