Introduction & questions about my very much loved bulldog, Ted.

[TedinVegas]

Hi everyone,

First time on a forum, cannot wait to share and read your stories.

My bulldog's name is Ted. He is a year and 4 months old. He has an amazing energy, snores like a machine and his gas does a better job then a Febreze air freshener. :D He's a happy bully and we love him to death.

That is why I need to put some questions out there about his health. He's currently fighting his 3rd ear infection. We've been told it might be allergy related, and that we should try to change his food and choose a hypoallergenic, no grain, food. Would anyone be able to tell me if that makes sense?
Also, his eyes are very very very watery. They cry all the time. That obviously creates moist and marks on his beautiful poochy face. I do wipe them at least twice a day. But it does not make a big difference. Our vet told us that at one point, we might have to bring him to a specialist that would remove his internal eye lashes. That freaks me out and I would like to know if anyone has ever had a similar experience and if anybody has heard of that surgery?

Thank you.

Ted and myself are very happy to be part of this community and we are looking forward to making friends here.

 

[fastmatt613]

I've heard of food allergies causing a number of different things, so an ear infection is not far out there. There are plenty of good grain free food choices out there as well. I feed my guy grain free also.

As far as the tearing, I am somewhat battling the same thing. Once in a while he gets a tear or two, but no staining. What I've heard from others on here is it could be an ingrown eyelash that needs to simply be plucked. Maybe that's the case with your guy. I'm sure more experienced.members will come in with more info.

Welcome to the site by the way!!

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2

 

[Davidh]

Foods can cause ear infections, or from seasonal allergies. I would let a specialist look at his eye as he may have entropion. This is where the eye lid turns in and the lashes are scraping the cornea, and will become ulcerated if not taken care of.

 

[bullmama]

Oh yes, sounds like he has allergies, please check out the article that can give you more insight. A food change is a great place to start.

EDIT: Eukanuba is a very poorly rated food, certainly trying a grain free diet is going to help your baby Ted!

 

[collor]

My first Bullie had TERRIBLE allergies...constant ear infections. He ended up getting allergy tested and was allergic to just about every tree and grass out there. He was on allergy shots, that he needed to get every 3 weeks for his entire life. (Changing his food did not ease up on the allergies).
My current bulldog really has not shown allergies, but does have a "cherry" in one eye. Over the past year and a half, both of his eyes have been tearing and staining. He was checked for ulcerations and did not have one. I switched his food about 2 weeks ago to Natural Balance-Grain free-Bison and sweet potato. I swear...his eyes are no longer tearing and staining. My husband even said....gosh he looks like a puppy again with perfectly white fur around his eyes!

 

[2BullyMama]

Hello and EBN!!!!

first allergies, yes, they will cause ear infections ... Could be environmental or food related. Process of elimination is best at this young age as their system does not settle I. Till about 2 yrs, which is when you could do a full blood screen allergy test to help with the process.

for now, I would get on a grain free diet.... Earth born, Fromm, and several other brands have a grain free line. I feed From. Pork and peas as my girl is highly allergic to chicken and that's issue with white potatoes. In her 8 yrs this is the best food she has been on. Big thing to keep in mind ... What works for one May not work for another, so you may go through a few foods before finding the right on.

eyes... Get it checked, many here have had to get eyelashes plume or the surgery to remove them because they grow I. The wrong direction.

 

[Marine91]

to the site. Not much to add as those above me have given some great info already.

 

[RiiSi]

Welcome to EBN and like others have stated it can be allegie related or just that THAT food doesn't agree with him. Check this link

http://www.englishbulldognews.com/content.php?219-Dog-Food-Ratings

and choose one that is atleast 4 star and has no grain. And do a slow switch.

 

[ChrisRN]

We battle allergies too. I am still looking for that perfect food!

 

[TedinVegas]

Thank you again to everyone for your advice. I switched Ted's food to Natural Balance, potato and rabbit formula. He loves it! And his ears seem to be doing better. Let's hope it lasts!

 

[2BullyMama]

Thank you again to everyone for your advice. I switched Ted's food to Natural Balance, potato and rabbit formula. He loves it! And his ears seem to be doing better. Let's hope it lasts!

good to see he is doing better.... Keep us posted