Expert: English Bulldogs ( Marie ) e-mail me at mpmaltese@gmail.com - 11/29/2010

Question
QUESTION:    My wonderful dog, Ashaunna, is a cream colored American Bulldog, possibly a Pit Bull, with a wonderful personality and very smart.  She is 2 ˝ and I have had her almost 2 years.  I had noticed that Ashaunna was almost bald running up her nose and under her chin, and her coat was thin everywhere except around her neck and chest possibly due to less-friction areas.  I first noticed her coat thinning out when the tattoo (marking from being spayed about 8 months) became visible on her inner thigh.  She would chew around her tail until it was brown (blood maybe, but it seemed more like a stain).  Also, she would grind her teeth and swallow a lot, it reminded me of being ready to vomit with your mouth watering and constantly swallowing to keep from vomiting or like “licking her chops”.  Another problem is she used to pass a LOT of RAUNCHY gas, but I stopped giving her the pork-skin chews and began feeding her high fiber dog food, which eliminated 95% of the gas problem.  
  At one time, her tummy had very little hair on it, and I took her to the vet because she had a rash on her tummy and legs.  The vet checked for fleas, but could not find any, but gave her an injection and antibiotics, and the rash cleared up.  Several months later, the rash was back and the vet treated her the same way.  Rather than wasting my money without making any headway, I delayed the antibiotics and watched her rash.  The rash cleared up with the injection only.  Since then I have tried everything from human shampoo to antibacterial/antifungal shampoo from the vet, which seemed to help; but I noticed she would lick her legs like crazy before I could get her dried off.  
  With the next outbreak, Ashaunna’s ears were red and hot and she hated the drops for cleaning her ears.  The new vet leaned toward allergies after considering the prior treatments and the absence of fleas, and the antibiotics cleared up the rash and the ear drops were so wonderful that Ashaunna would come on the first command.  Nevertheless, after a couple of months I am in the vet’s office again and insisted on knowing what her thoughts were - after all that was about all I was getting for my money since the problem was repeating itself.  
  I began looking for another vet, but in the meantime Ashaunna’s coat remained thin and her sheddings continued collecting on my pants and you could see them all over the house, especially her high-traffic areas.  I have tried everything I could think of -shampoos, flea collars & treatments, vaporizer, brushes, raw meat, treating the yard for fleas- and have been beside myself trying to find a way to control her problem knowing that it was not curable.  This time the rash turned in to staph infection, again no fleas.  Although I wanted to buy her doggy perfume, I opted to try a better brand of dog food - Purina Pro, I believe.  
  A couple of months later and I am back – AGAIN.  This time, the female loaded me up with medication, including $65 for antibiotics.  By now I have gained some knowledge and began trying alternatives.  I tried several brands of dog food, but discovered how meticulous Ashaunna is.  I have continued trying to find ways of adding Omegas and other minerals to her diet, but a little wary since I do not know what she really needs.  After several trials, it seems she prefers Purina Pro Chicken & Rice, but does not like the Sensitive Stomach Salmon.  The best alternative that I have found has been Comfortis, I do not know why or how, all I care about is the outcome.  In spite of making her throw up the rewards have been magnificent, no scratching, no teeth grinding, etc; but I still have her hair-bunnies all over the house.  
  Since I have heard Ashaunna grinding her teeth again and scratching some I fed her, and enticed her appetite with mixing tuna with her food before flavoring the Comfortis with juices from a hamburger, and followed up with a hamburger patty last night.  Feeding before the medicine eliminated the vomiting, and I have not noticed any scratching or grinding so far today.  However, the hair –or the loss of it- continues to be a problem.  Do you have any suggestions?  Minerals?  Dog food?
  Thank you for assisting

ANSWER: bulldog hair loss; bulldog bald spots;  bulldog feeding;
Let me know how you are doing?


I am glad to help!!!!  Let me know if you try any of my ideas...
( I have more, so keep me posted on your progress)


Wow -- Wow!  POOR you and poor Ashaunna!!
YOU two have been through so much in such a short time frame.
Yes, I have some ideas for you.
Next time you see the vet have them do a blood test to check her Thyroid.  Many of the problem with hair loss can be related to Thryoid levels being " OFF " .

Now, I bet she has more Environmental allergies than food allergies.
HER breeds are known for skin and coat troubles:

The food you need must be grain free --- ONLY ----
No Purina Pro plan... too much junk fillers in it.

Here are the ones to look for :

Canidae / All Life stages grain free...(EXCELLENT food)

http://www.canidae.com/dogs/grain-free-als/dry.html

Innova EVO makes a nice Grain-free, too.

Merrick  BEFORE-grain

Wellness Core

My Favorite is the Canidae food.
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Slowly mix the PRO Plan or any food you are currently using ...
Do a 50 : 50 mix of the Old food and the NEW grain free food.
AFTER about 2 weeks, then go 100% to the new grain free food.

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Next - Please order this Holistic Shampoo/ Spot Treatment and Wafer supplements...

NuVET Plus Wafers --- HOT spot tea tree oil spray by NuVET - and the NuVET Hot spot Shampoo.
The wafers will help to Reduced inflammation and reduce the allergy problems ...HELPS to re-build a poor immune system.
She will need 2 wafers per day  - long term
ALL natural / VERY yum yum good and 60 day guaranteed.

The Tea tree spray and shampoo  is very helpful and helps to reduce the swelling ...ALSO, helps with fur/ hair re-growth..

This product is Holistic and only thru Holisitc VETs or The Manufacturer.
39.00 or 55.00 for the NuVet supplements
10.00 for the Tea tree hot spot spray
and I believe 10 or 12.00 for the special hot spot shampoo

SEE here:  http://www.nuvet.com/81098
Also, see my bulldog NuVET Page
http://www.apluspetcare.com/untitled4.html

When the itching is very bad, you can give 25 mg of Benadryl every 10 to 12 hrs.
I am sure you vet mentioned the Benadryl tablets.

The Comfortis is an excellent product -- Glad it is helping.


Try a new food and the NuVET Products.

Let me know how things go in about 60 days.
IT takes a good 60 days for supplements to kick-in fully.

BEST wishes

Marie Peppers LPN MA


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION:    Unfortunately I have not been able to afford the higher priced dog food, nor take the chance of Ashaunna not eating what I buy for her.  $1 per pound is about my max that I can spend on dog food.  
  I have tried a few inexpensive "promised solutions" and she seems to being doing allright, but I have noticed her grinding her teeth again.  I have deer bones that I have been given her a couple of times.  
  I wish I could afford to have tests done and buy the holistic dog food, but I can't.  Thank you so much for your suggestions, I do appreciate it.

Answer
I sure wish that I could help.  I understand your finances and hope that in the future things will get better for you.  Good grain free foods are the answer.  
Good luck and sorry that I can't help any further.

BEST Wishes..


Marie Peppers LPN MA