Expert: Christine Puetz - 1/28/2009

Question
I have a Male American Bulldog he is about 1 1/2 years old, I bought him when he was about 4 mths. old he has had this problem off and on since I've had him he gets bumps on his back and sides they kinda look like ticks from a distance but when you pull at them a plug of hair and skin comes off. He also has bad dandruff. He is housebroke and spends his in house time just laying around sleeping or playing with my kids. Oh and one more thing you have to be carefull whin you brush him when his skin is broke out because you can make a bunch of bleeding sores from the plugs just brushing causes. Please someone help I lost my job earlier this year and can't afford a vet bill right now. I can send you pics if you need some

Answer
Brian,

It really sounds like you need to see a vet.  Has your bulldog been tested for mange?

Testing and treatment should not be too expensive.  If you call around to vets that tend to be more "country" vets, you may be able to find a vet that is not as expensive.  Some of the city clinics tent to cost more.  When you call ask what it cost to do a skin scrape.

Christine Puetz