Skin Irritations In Bull Terriers

Our Bull Terriers depend on us for everything. It is important to understand that as a pet parent, you should recognize the signs of common skin problems in Bull Terriers. After all, you are responsible for the healthy skin and coat and the overall well-being of your Bull Terrier.

Bull Terriers can suffer from mild to severe skin problems. Some of these skin issues require professional treatment to prevent them from getting worse. Skin irritations in Bull Terriers might indicate an underlying health condition. If left untreated, they may become more serious and complicated. 

In order to effectively treat skin irritation in Bull Terriers, you must be able to recognize the symptoms. There are a lot of symptoms associated with skin irritation in Bull Terriers. The particular symptoms that develop may give you clues to the underlying condition affecting your Bull Terrier.

Below are some common symptoms of skin irritation in Bull Terriers:

• Itching and constant scratching
• Hair loss
• Small bumps on the skin
• Swelling or redness
• Dry skin
• Scaling or hardening of the skin
• Excessive oil production
• Abnormal odor

To help you understand the most common skin problems that frequently impact Bull Terriers, we have come up with five of the most common skin conditions in Bull Terriers. Let's have a look at them:

Demodectic mange is an itchy skin infection caused by demodex mites. Demodex, a microscopic mite, lives in the hair follicles of all Bull Terriers. In normal situations, a Bull Terrier’s immune system keeps these mites and their population in check. The problem occurs when a Bull Terrier has weak immune system and cannot keep the mite population controlled.  

In localized mild cases, dog parents might notice a few dry, irritated, and hairless lesions. These patches often occur on the face or feet and may or may not be itchy. 

Most cases of localized demodectic mange resolve over time, usually in a few months. Generalized demodectic mange, however, needs veterinary care and must be treated promptly. This will keep the problem from getting out of hand. Many Bull Terriers outgrow the disease while others require lifelong management.

Allergic dermatitis is the most common type of skin allergies in Bull Terriers. The most commonly affected areas of Bull Terriers are the belly, feet, skin folds, and ears. It is important to keep these areas of your Bull Terrier properly cleaned.

Allergic dermatitis poses the risk of secondary infection as well. When a Bull Terrier scratches, bites, or licks their skin, they risk opening up the skin to several infections. These infections may require further treatment.

If your Bull Terrier is allergic to grass, we recommend buying good quality dog shoes to protect the sensitive paws from getting in contact with grass and avoiding the allergic reaction.

Yeast dermatitis, caused by the fungus Malassezia pachydermatis, is an extremely common cause of inflammatory skin disease in Bull Terriers. The most common symptoms include irritated, itchy, inflamed, or discolored skin.

Yeast infection usually strikes the paws, skin folds, or ears, where yeast have a cozy space to grow. Always make sure you dry your Bull Terrier thoroughly after they get out of the water and keep excess hair trimmed to prevent yeast infection. These infections can be diagnosed and usually respond well to a topical treatment. We recommend using our Chenille Super Absorbent Dog Towel to thoroughly dry your Bull Terrier.

Fleas and ticks can cause irritation and a wide variety of skin problems for your dogs. A Bull Terrier's fur provides the perfect environment for fleas and ticks. Bull Terriers can easily pick up fleas when outdoors.

When a flea or tick bites, it injects saliva into your Bull Terrier’s skin. They feed on your Bull Terrier’s blood and can cause health problems ranging from mild allergic reactions to serious illnesses. Ticks and fleas may carry other diseases as well. If you find a tick or flea on your Bull Terrier, try to remove it as soon as possible.

Fleas are tiny parasites which can survive in our carpets and bedding for months. These parasites can rapidly infest your Bull Terrier and irritate their skin. This leads to intense scratching and itching, which can cause hair loss.

Ringworm is a fungus that commonly infect hair follicles in Bull Terriers. It causes the affected hair shafts to break off at the skin line. Ringworm fungus feeds on the keratin that is found in the outer layers of your Bull Terrier's skin.

Ringworm fungal infection appears roughly circular and appears as areas of hair loss. These crusty bald patches are often found on Bull Terrier’s head, paws, ears and front legs. Sometimes, the Bull Terrier’s skin can become itchy and appear inflamed and red due to scratching. Ringworm fungal infection is highly contagious to other animals and humans.

If you spot any signs of irritation or infection, it's imperative that you contact your vet straight away. They may prescribe a topical treatment to prevent it from getting worse.

Your Bull Terrier needs healthy nutrition, regular exercise, a safe and comfy place to relax and sleep. They also need protection from extreme temperatures and cared for when they fall ill.

You can take the following steps to maintain your Bull Terrier’s health:

When you groom your Bull Terrier, check for allergies and rashes. Also, identify any signs of infection in Bull Terriers like redness, tenderness, or inflammation on the skin.

Provide good nutrition and a complete balanced diet to your Bull Terrier. Healthy diet will keep their skin healthy and boost their immune system.

Add omega 3 and omega 6 to your Bull Terrier's diet to maintain healthy skin and coat conditions. 

Avoid feeding processed food with toxic chemical preservatives to Bull Terriers. They can have a bad effect on the Bull Terrier’s skin and coat.

Annual vet examinations are the key part of preventive care. These vet checkups give you a chance to track your Bull Terrier’s skin and coat conditions.  

There are many commercial solutions for fleas control in Bull Terriers. You need to see which ones will work better in your case.

If you’ve noticed symptoms of skin irritation in your Bull Terrier, then it’s best to act right away.

If your Bull Terrier is showing any symptoms of the skin problems discussed, speak to your vet straight away for professional advice. Both mild and severe skin problems in Bull Terriers require a thorough examination. 

You can help your Bull Terrier live his best life!