James Livingood has been a dog sitter for several years. He has written numerous articles and a book about the topic because he loves dogs.
REVIEWED BYDr. Mark, U of Missouri Veterinary Medicine grad with 40+ years of experience in the field
Bulldog wrinkles are adorable; however, a wrinkle infection is not very cute. As a Bulldog grows older, they become more prone to these infections. It is a sad but inevitable fact of life. Beyond causing a smell, they can be frustrating to the dog on multiple levels.
Here are a number of signs to look for and actions to take to get rid of and prevent wrinkle infections from happening in the first place. The ultimate goal is both your comfort and your dogs comfort as well.
The absolute best thing you can do is call your veterinary office. They can give you information suited to your individual dog’s needs. This can be based on weight, lifestyle, and other factors. In addition, they keep up with the latest products and preventative trends. If you don’t have the luxury of contacting your vet’s office (because of cost or time), here are some additional things to try.
The cause of wrinkle infection is dirt and wetness getting in the folds. While your instinct to wash your dog may work (especially if you dry well), the best solution may be topical wipes. Amazon has a number of these wipes ranging from $11–25. Some Bulldog owners create their own wipes, but these homemade formulas can be dangerous, especially if the dog licks or grooms their face during the process.
Creams work similar to wipes but often have additional soothing benefits. Again, don’t use creams designed for humans, such as diaper rash cream or unique antibiotic ointment. Often times dogs will lick their face during this process, which may cause them to ingest harmful substances. Your veterinary office will be able to suggest the right combination for your canine.
There is an amazing selection of shampoos dedicated to Bulldog wrinkle care. The biggest concern when using one of these products is ensuring that the dog is completely dry afterwards. That means cleaning and drying inside the folds as well. If that step does not occur, the infection can become worse and spread. In addition, do not let shampoo or soap products “sit” on the skin for a long time, as this can also cause additional irritation.
The Dangers of Diaper Rash Cream
First and foremost, diaper rash cream contains ingredients that are harmful to dogs. Common diaper rash ingredients like petroleum jelly and lanolin can cause an upset stomach or diarrhea if your dog ingests them.
Many dogs are also allergic to the ingredients in diaper rash creams. Wrinkly dogs such as English Bulldogs, French Bulldogs, and Pugs are especially prone to allergies. Many common allergens such as lavender, aloe, lanolin, and fragrance can be found in diaper rash creams. Using these products on dogs that are allergic to them can aggravate skin conditions like eczema and cause them to break out in rashes or sores.
Perhaps most importantly, diaper rash cream is simply not designed for use on dogs. The skin of a dog is different than the skin of a human, and thus diaper rash cream may not be effective in soothing and protecting skin irritations in dogs. In fact, using diaper rash cream on your dogs skin could actually make the condition worse.
For these reasons, it is best to avoid using diaper rash cream on your dog altogether.
Home Remedy Recipes:
Ingredients:
Mix together with a hand mixer until pancake like. You may need to add more milk or oats.
Ingredients:
To Use:
Bathe the dog outside or, if it’s too dark or cold, in the bathroom with the door closed and window opened. Combine the ingredients in an open container (do not store in a sealed bottle the bubbles will explode a sealed container). Using gloves, wash your dog with lukewarm water and the mixture while the mixture is bubbling. Work the mixture well into the fur. Be sure to concentrate on the area that was sprayed. Keep mixture away from your dog’s face and eyes (it’s a harsh solution). If your dog has been sprayed in the face, try Tricotine Liquid Douche Concentrate or any over-the-counter douche.
Let the mixture stand for 10 minutes or so before rinsing off.
Rinse the dog with lukewarm tap water. Don’t wash the mixture into your dog’s eyes (use a washcloth to cover the eyes if you’re rinsing the head). After bathing, check your dog’s eyes. If they are red and watering, your dog may have taken a direct hit in the face. Skunk spray won’t blind the dog, but it’s very painful. Contact a vet.
Killing fleas on your dog can be done a number of ways. Use a flea comb you can get at most pet stores and comb out the fleas, killing them at you get them or dropping into a paper towel soak in rubbing alcohol. Use a cotton ball soak in rubbing alcohol to spot clean each flea you find on the dog.
Give a bath in Dawn dish soap, being careful to not get soap in the dog’s eye. Put cotton balls or wads of tissue in the dog’s ears to protect them from soap suds. Rise dog with warm water and us a prepared mixture of 3-4 table spoons of dawn dish soap and warm water applied to the dog to work up a foam to kill the fleas. The dawn dish soap will kill the fleas in about 10 minutes, after which you rise you dog very well to remove all the soap.
Speak with your vet and get your dog on a flea treatment once a month. Flea collars do not work.
Wipe your bulldogs wrinkles clean daily with a damp cloth or baby wipe. Wipe deep inside each wrinkle. Dry the area thoroughly.
Watch the folds carefully to make sure the heat rash begins to look better — meaning less red or covering a smaller area — in 24 to 48 hours of starting the corn starch and diaper rash cream regimen. If it doesnt, go see your vet to check for facial fold dermatitis, which often requires antibiotics to treat.
Your bulldogs adorable facial wrinkles harbor heat and moisture that can cause heat rash. His squat, compact body is susceptible to heat rash in other areas as well, including his neck and under his back legs. Care for heat rash quickly to help prevent a more serious skin infection.
Cover red, bumpy rashes with a diaper rash cream that contains zinc oxide. Apply the cream two to three times a day until all the redness is gone. Ask your veterinarian for suggestions on what kind of diaper rash cream will work best for your pooch.
Look for signs of heat rash, which include pink or red skin or small red bumps. Youll find them in the folds of the dogs skin at the face, under the legs around the groin and armpits, and in the folds of his neck. Severe rash may manifest elsewhere.
FAQ
Can I use diaper rash cream on my dog?
Can you use diaper rash cream on bulldog wrinkles?
Can I use Desitin on my bulldogs wrinkles?