new member needs help and advice

[Food Gypsy]

Hello! I am very happy to have found you guys. I am in need for some serious bulldog advice / support, my big bad bull, 12 yr old Magnus, has suddenly developed all manner of health issues: sores, skin "circles", abscesses... it has been a nightmare and we just get him healthy and it starts all over again.

I've loaded up some pics in an album called "not feeling himself" (*Warning Graphic Photos*) of the last 18 months, I will add to it tommrow as he has developed a huge mass on his lip, on the underside. He has been treated with multiple antibiotics and NOTHING seems to help. Probiotics worked... and then it sarted all over again. My vet appears mystified... we've run allergy tests, changed food now they are suggesting months of shots. He's never had allergies before. Help Please... he's on a no grain diet right now, single protein (lamb) but he continues to "blow up"... first his skin then his bum, we just got that under control and now his mouth. I hate loading this, he's such a proud animal, he would be mortified, but we need your help. Please Help is you can.

 

[Shadow Ann Martinez]

I suggest looking around for a more bulldog experianced vet. This is obviously NOT normal. What exactly are you feeding?

 

[DoughnutsMom]

Wow! Poor baby! It looks like he has a systemic issue that probably started with his tail. He rubs his tail everywhere and then lays in it, and probably rubs his face where he rubbed his bum. My bully had those "rings" but not that bad. I would wipe them with listerine, apply selsum blue with a q-tip, wait 10 minutes and then wipe away with the listerine again. I'm not sure if that would burn him, though. Good luck!

 

[karenben]

how are his teeth /gums?,karen

 

[karenben]

sorry i didnt finish my above post its very early here in the uk lol,i ask about his teeth/gums as if a dog has bad teeth/gums it can cause an awful lot of other health problems and can effect the immune system,,as the vet cannot figure out whats wrong with your boy perhaps there could be a problem with his mouth even if hes showing no pain ,just a thought,karen

 

[GRACIE11]

I feel so bad for Magnus. Hopefully help is on the way soon....there is a lot of knowledge on this site. Good luck.

 

[BruceP]

I would find a Vet that is more familiar with the breed..... that is just not right for the vet to say he doesn't know.

Anyway, to EBN.

 

[cowsmom]

that looks like alot of yeast and allergies to me. not sure about the circles. so what did the allergy test show? and what food are you feeding cause i dont think it agreeing with him. the probiotics working should tell you that his immune system is not what it should be i guess. id get a new vet if he dont know what it is. then id get some mal-a-ket wipes and shampoo. use the wipes on his tailpocket. id soak his feet and bathe him in the mal-a-ket shampoo like 3 times a week to start. then id figure what allergy is causing this. the test should give you some idea. no treats no people food. get a laundry detergent that is free of smell and stuff. see when its worse and see when its better. does he get worse after eating. is it after he goes outside. alot of people wipe their dogs down after coming in. then id look at the food. get the allergy test and see if there is something in there causing this. is he on a grain free food? carbs and wetness cause yeast. i use lotrimin powder on the paws and tailpocket after the wipes. let us know how hes doing.

 

[bullmama]

Did I read correct that he is 12 years old?

 

[cali~jenn]

Oh my. That doesnt look good, poor baby. My first thought too was to find a new vet or a specialist? Figure if this was your kid would you just go with the "I dont know?" It is obvious you are a good loving mama. That just looks so painful for your baby. As much as this site is a help I am not sure if we can help with this one but I certainly hope so!

 

[bulliemommi]

@cowsmom and everyone have given great advice. Ours gets the "crop circles" too - I wish someone for once knew what the heck these were - his aren't from mites or anything else but after a few weeks the hair is coming back in - I was advised to keep using the shampoo for yeast (do you bathe with anything special?) and see how he does on the new food and probiotic. Are you wiping out the tail after he poops?

If your baby is on the correct food, perhaps his environmental allergies are that bad? Is he exposed to a lot of things that he's allergic to on his panel in the house or outside? I would think he'd need more antibitoics for those abscesses though or another trip to possibly a more experienced vet. I wouldn't try to treat those at home without a vet's guidance. Mine suggested allergy shots as well. But you may want a 2nd opinion on that from someone more experienced with bullies. I agree though, I bet it has a lot to do with yeast.

You obviously have taken great care of him, the fact that he's 12 and has been is good health until now. I hope you can get help soon and your sweetie is feeling back to himself soon.

PS Has your vet advised a dental be done? Others have asked about the teeth/gums - if left i bad shape too long, the whole body can be very negatively impacted.