Last Updated on October 26, 2021 by Marco C.
The English bulldog is a striking dog and as a bully breed owner, you may run into some health issues concerning English bulldog paw problems. The pads of their feet are shock absorbing and help protect their joints during walks.
Their pads are the first thing to come into contact with any harmful substances or objects on the ground. Sometimes adverse reactions from either sharp objects or their food can have negative effects on their feet. It’s crucial to be prepared when such issues arise.
Preventing English Bulldog Paw Problems
A great many paws problems can be avoided if not entirely prevented with the right preparation. Your bulldog is basically walking around barefoot, and temperatures affect its feet. Surfaces that are too hot or too cold cause damage and can develop into severe health issues.
Keeping an eye on the weather forecast is a simple way of anticipating what conditions your bulldog would face. Summertime can cause issues with heat, and bully breeds are especially susceptible to it.
Check the pavement’s temperature with your hand. If it’s too hot for your hand to stand it, it’s definitely too hot for your bulldog’s bare feet. Provide short walks in the shade and on grass if possible. Keep an eye out on the ground for any sharp objects that could cut into their feet.
Regularly checking your English bulldog’s paws after walks, helps catch any issues early. Remove any foreign objects with tweezers before they can do any real damage, and clean their paws with hydrogen peroxide.
Learn more about: Who Is The Biggest English Bulldog In The World And How Much Does He Weigh?
Extreme weather conditions may call for using dog boots. Wintertime comes with both extreme cold surfaces as well as salt sprinkled to melt ice on the street. That salt can affect your English bulldog’s feet so a little protection goes a long way.
Inflammation Between Bulldog’s Toes
With all the preventative measures in place, bulldog’s paws problems can still occur. Discoloration on the skin and hair between their toes is the first sign of inflammation and can lead to infection. Pododermatitis is a term commonly used to diagnose this skin condition that develops in many dog breeds, English bulldogs included.
Your bulldog may show signs of discomfort by chewing and licking its paws. This only affects the irritated area even more as bacteria from their mouth adds to the already infected paw. This kind of condition is caused by many different things and there is no sure way of preventing it entirely.
What Causes English Bulldog Paw Problems?
Treating such conditions is made worse when the underlying cause of them is hard to pinpoint. In some cases, more than one cause contributes to English bulldog paw problems, and treatment varies to accommodate each issue.
Pododermatitis
Better known as interdigital dermatitis, this is not a disease but rather a skin condition that affects dogs in general, English bulldogs in particular. Pododermatitis is rather hard to diagnose as it can stem from multiple causes, and develop into different types of affections.
Adversity to certain foods triggers an allergic reaction in bulldogs that manifests with pododermatitis as a response. Figuring out which foods your dog is allergic to, as well as treating their paws is the course to take. Vet assistance may be required in this case, especially to uncover allergies.
Bulldogs younger than four years can also suffer from parasitic pododermatitis. This condition is a very difficult one to treat and its main cause is a parasite. A skin biopsy will show results of its presence, and veterinary care is most definitely needed to treat it.
Interdigital Furunculosis
An affliction that bulldogs tend to suffer from more often, is interdigital furunculosis. The technical term is used to diagnose what may simply be known as a cyst. Bulldog paws have shorter hair in between their toe webbings which contributes to this condition.
Typical bulldog feet problems, interdigital furunculosis result when the short hairs in between their toes can’t escape the follicle. This happens as they walk and the follicle gets clogged thus sweat no longer drains out and causes infection. Swelling spreads to nearby hair follicles adding to their discomfort.
Vet treatment is needed to deal with cysts and that will most likely include steroids and antibiotics. Cleaning the area and soaking it, is also a viable treatment option, although it does take a while. This kind of treatment is a more natural one as it doesn’t use medication.
Discovering the cyst in its early stages will make soaking a good treatment alternative. Using Epsom salt water dissolves the cyst and reduces pain. Soak your bulldog’s toes two or three times a day for noticeable results.
Vets absolutely recommend not to pop a cyst. The whole process of draining it out is not simple and requires veterinary care. Simply popping it will only add to the bulldog’s discomfort and the cyst will shortly return with even more risk of infection.
Other Bulldog Feet Problems and Treatments
Foreign objects stuck in between bulldog toes can lead to swelling and inflammation similar to a cyst. X-rays pinpoint their exact location for later extraction. Severe cases may require surgery so preventing your dog from stepping into any sharp objects is important.
It’s really frustrating when your English bulldog paw problems are difficult to diagnose. In some situations, there is no foreign object or allergies to explain their swollen toes. Pododermatitis can occur due to genetic predispositions that lower their immune system. Treatment for this often requires medication.
Conclusion
We all have the best interest at heart for our doggy companions and taking care of their health also applies to their feet. The loveable English bulldog is susceptible to more underlying paw problems but there are ways to resolve them. With a little preparation and care, they will have happy healthy lives.
Having an English bulldog in your family will come with some problems regarding their feet. Implementing a daily cleaning routine helps detect any problems early on and seek treatments with greater success. Maintaining their health will thus offer a happier life to your bulldog.
