Give it time!
One of the most common problems with allergies, mites and other things dogs can suffer from is patience. When owners switch foods or change detergents it is vital to give this change time to become effective. I know it can be hard to watch the dog still being miserable. But the healing process needs its own time and only once the body has healed the effect of the changes can really start to show.
A span of 4-6 weeks is minimum to notice first changes when it comes to skin allergies.
Only if you notice a rapid worsening of your Bull Terrier’s condition after a switch changing plans right away is a good idea. If the condition seems to stand still or only improves very slowly give things time to adjust and be patient! That is really important.
Even More possible causes of skin issues and itch
There is one other aspect also urging a vet visit when you notice skin issues on your Bull Terrier – and that is canine leukemia. Sadly, that is another possible issue on the list of ailments. Itch is usually not among the common symptoms, but other skin related symptoms such as easy bruising or bleeding, recurring infections or delayed healing can lead to false interpretations and mistaking the issue for skin allergies. When it comes to cancer time is always of the essence.
This is another reason why when it comes to skin issues a vet visit should not be put off and there should not be a lot of experimenting with home remedies.
Last but not least parasites such as fleas (just as mites) can cause a great deal of itch for your Bull Terrier. Ask your vet for the best products to protect your Bull Terrier from fleas and make sure that in certain areas you also use good worm prevention and/or do a frequent round with an antihelmintic. Not only can some types of worms kill a dog. A worm infestation of even the more harmless ones can again weaken the immune system and contribute to other health problems.
I hope this article helps you to successfully identify skin allergies in your Bull Terrier and find your way to handle them. If you have questions, contact me or use the comment section below.
Just stumbled upon your sight and love it!!!!
Wondering why no recent posts?
Well, I am not going to make up excuses. I am in the same boat with many people: This is my hobby project and I always need to find time to write & publish more articles besides working my regular job and having a family. I still have some unpublished topics I want to talk about and I am trying to add more new content very soon.
However, if you have any questions or topics you’d like me to write about, please just let me know. If I am able to say something relevant about the topic, I will make that one of my next stories.
Hi my baby white stud BT and I don’t seem to get it right over have control of his allergies. Yes I do get steroids pills and antibiotics, he definitely allergic to corn which has been around now 2yrs and rashes on his feet .. 2-3 home baths( topical Shea control lifesavers and GNC sephebarracous (relieve allergic reactions/ rash) I think spelled it wrong . He now on grain canned 1/2 canned per day mixed dry but I don’t fell like it’s enough. Pethonesty multivitamin senior duck. Please I’m open for suggestion
Every single individual is different. There are no blanket solutions and no miracles. You seem to know what you’re doing, avoiding triggers and secondary infection.
One thing I strongly recommend is feeding some kind of supplement, provided the dog does not react to the ingredients!
The choices I have tested myself are NuVet and NuPro. I am actually feeding NuPro to date. I also feed salmon oil.
Boosting the immune system helps a lot when the dog is dealing with inflammation etc. Maybe look into that with your vet next time you visit.
Hi we have a ebt hes 3yrs old. And for the last two years hes been on aquopel for his allergies. We initially thought this would be seasonal but unfortunately hes on it all year round. He also developed folliculitis. He has been prescribed anti biotics which didn’t clear it up so it he was given steroids. We also give him piriton which helps with the itching. And now hes developed small lumps all over his body they seem to be scabbing and drying up. We wash his feet with a mild antiseptic when hes been exercising. We are managing his allergies I dont think hell ever be free of them poor dog. Hes an amazing dog and puts up with alot. Any advice would be great.
I’m trying to determine whether scratching I’m seeing in my 12-week-old Bull Terrier puppy is the result of allergy, or neurosis. He has (healing) scabs on his front legs and particularly in the morning seems unable not to scratch. I’ve dremeled his nails so they are rounded, tight to the paw and smooth so he has his best chance for healing. I also redirect with games and toys to try to take the focus off his legs. Aside from the obviously healing injury (which I at first attributed to litter mates), his heart doesn’t really seem to be in it when he’s scratching…almost like “here we go again”. I’m going to the vet next week to get 2nd shots and have this looked at. He’s a terrific pup. I’m just worried for him.
Scabs on the front legs more likely originate from excessive licking.
This can have different reasons, from boredom to allergies.
It is a very good idea to bring this up at your next vet visit.
Also, if you want to give your pup’s immune system a boost, check out NuPro or NuVet and think about a little good quality fish oil now and then for omegas.
Both, NuPro and NuVet are great supplements to help your pup getting the nutrients it needs during growth.
I foster care bullies & applied medicated powder on skin rashes on bellies for overnight clearing next morning. Bought powder at Dollar Store.
Good luck.
What kind of powder?
I just adopted a 3 year old bull terrier and i noticed he started obsessively licking his privates and his eyes became very red. Today the outer skin of his privates is red, raw and swollen. I am positive he obsessively was licking because he is having allergies.
What is the name of the powder bought at dollar store
I am sorry, Jennifer, I can’t answer this question. I don’t know.
If everything is raw, disinfecting is a good idea. You should use something formulated for dogs that does not sting. The dog will already be in pain.
I also recommend having a vet check the dog. It sounds like allergies to me, which means there are two routes ahead of you now: The first one is immediate relief through medication that the vet can prescribe. But this should not be given long-term.
The second route is the search for the trigger. I think the vet can also advise you regarding this.
It is important to understand that – if you are really dealing with allergies – one round of medication will only bring temporary relief.
Multiple rounds of medication could keep the symptoms in check, but this comes with a hefty price tag for the dog and for you: side effects and frequent vet visits.
If it is allergies, you need to identify and avoid the trigger in order to leave this vicious cycle and achieve long-term relief.
My 4 year old bull terrier has been shedding a lot recently, but today as I was brushing his hair, chunks of it started to fall out and at the roots of the hair chunks was some sort of brown bacteria. I’m not too sure what it is.
Hello Sophia,
sorry for answering so late. But I would only be able to speculate what this could be or could have been. Maybe it has resolved in the meantime.
To me that sounds like it could be some kind of yeast issue.
But there are a number of reasons why Bull Terriers loose hair or get bumps. And the brown specs could as well be something entirely different than yeast.
Very often hair loss and bumps are related to allergy and environmental factors, nutrition or both.
In these cases it is vital to look at every aspect of the animal’s live. Does it experience sudden stress, sudden changes that could cause stress? Has the nutrition changed? Does the dog show any other signs of discomfort or illness? Is the dog itchy?
There is so much to consider that after making a list of these things I would always suggest to have the dog evaluated by a veterinarian, especially because a lot of ailments in this category and in particular if you ARE in fact dealing with yeast overgrowth, these issues do not resolve until the underlying factors change.
Good luck! Very sorry for not being more helpful.
But without seeing the dog and knowing a lot more about the issue, it is just impossible to give really helpful advice over the internet.
Hi there! Just stumbled on your site while researching for a solution for my poor doggy. “Biggie” is a 4 year old male EBT. About 2 years ago he seemed to suddenly become allergic to EVERYTHING… all feathered things. .beef..grains..you name it .. I feel like I’ve tried everything. I’ve tried a raw diet (that’s how we figured out he is allergic to chicken and beef) and various dry food brands. We’re currently trying Zignature Kangaroo dry food, we’re going on month 3 and not seeing much change. We’ve tried apoquel and didn’t see improvement with that either. He isn’t a big self licker.. but his poor tummy is soooo red! And I can tell he’s itchy and frustrated. I’d so appreciate any ideas you might have. I hope you and your loved one are safe and healthy.
Hello Cuisette,
so sorry to hear about your dog suffering so badly. Even though Bull Terriers are known for skin issues and allergies being very common among the breed, and even other breeds starting to more and more sensitive over time often from consuming a lot of very high processed food, this really sounds like an extra special case.
Kudos for taking on the challenge and taking such great care of your little one! Your dog is just lucky to have you.
Unfortunately besides the usual tips, such as keeping Biggie very clean, use only care products formulated for very sensitive dog skin, try coconut oil (if that does not get licked off!) to soothe the belly and try to add a vitamin supplement to the nutrition if tolerated to boost the dog’s immune system, I admittedly do not have a whole lot in my quiver for this case, which makes me sad.
If you are at the point where Apoquel – a medication that should only be considered when all other options are exhausted – does not bring any visible relief, I can’t offer any more ideas.
This will likely remain a day to day journey for all of you.
The only thing that comes to my mind when I read your story is that I really feel like, if you can’t find any kind of nutrition that helps with the redness and itchiness, is this really food related? Because, honestly, this is a loooong list of allergies. I’ve heard of such cases in the past. I know they do exist.
But if you have not done this so far – which I doubt – but just in case, you may want to look deeper into all the environmental factors around your dog. Maybe there IS something else at least contributing. I don’t know if this input is of any help. But I sincerely hope it is.
Hello everyone,
I’m looking for help with determining and trying to find answers as to what my 6 month mini is allergic to. He’s on day 4 of antibiotics, I eliminated all treats and feeding now raw diet (salmon) with few grain free natural dry food in the mix. His belly rash and paws are only getting worse. I’m trying to pin point triggers but and wondering if it’s grass that he’s allergic to. I do add probiotics 2-3 times a week and wondering if I should stop giving him antibiotics as I read they may only worsen the problem by wearing his immune system. Will be scheduling a dermatologist appointment tomorrow as his regular Vet is at a loss and does not have experience with the MBT breed or allergies at such a young age. Any advice or suggestions please?
Thank you,
Rita
Hi Rita,
I just told another owner about how hard it is to detect the causes of allergies. You are right that antibiotics are not great for the gut and can sometimes do more harm than good. But at this point I would probably not stop giving it, the reason being: Stopping now would mean having exposed the dog to the side effects without giving the medicine a chance to do its work. But that is only my opinion. I want to stress that I am NOT a doctor and this is NOT medical advice. I have not seen your dog and there may be circumstances I do not even know about that make you think about stopping the antibiotic and that may be very valid. Therefore, for the final decision the prescribing vet would be the best person to discuss this with.
Adding probiotics definitely sounds like a good idea to me.
Just as with young children in puppies it takes some time for the immune system to develop and they can experience allergies at a young age.
Sometimes they literally grow out of it. But not in every case. Sometimes they grow up fine and allergies start breaking out at a later age. Allergies are not tied to any particular age in general.
No matter if puppy or grown adult, the best chance to find allergy triggers is either testing, if available, or exclusion. Taking a look at everything that may have changed for the dog since the breakout started and limiting exposure to the things that have changed if that is possible.
If it is seasonal you will probably need some time to watch it recurring or have an allergy test performed.
One thing you can definitely do during breakouts it try to prevent secondary infection which usually is what requires the treatments with antibiotics.
Disinfectant, mild shampoos, epsom salt baths, disinfecting wipes … there are several things that can be used.
Avoiding secondary infection is one of the most important things besides finding the allergy’s trigger, because they are what usually puts a LOT of additional stress on the immune system of your dog and make it feel more miserable in general.
Bravecto!!!!!!!!! I have a mini bull terrier that was having terrible skin issues. Scrabs everywhere blood blisters on his belly and all. It was so depressing for him and myself. I tried EVERYTHING from 3 different food all grain free. Tried all different types of protein from salmon to bison and nothing was working. Washed him every 2-3 days with oatmeal based shampoos and conditioners. Vet finally found the issue and prescribed bravecto. He was feeling better within a few days and he’s now 95 percent better after a month.
I recently got a bull terrier pit mix that had been rescued from multiple bad homes one I was told she was to be a fight dog her back leg had been broken at some point and she has had a litter at least once at a very young age.from what I was told she’s only about 1 1/2 she had some skin issues and lose of hair but with in a few days of bringing her home she got better then all a sudden it got worse I feel so bad for her gonna start her on grain free food to see if that helps but if any one can give me any advice on the steps I should take how to claim her itching h ow I should bath her anything would really be appreciated
Hello Barbara,
first of all, thank you for having the heart to take care of this poor abused soul. I am sure she is going to thrive under your care!
Ailments related to allergies often take time. That’s important to be aware of and keep up with measures over long periods. It would be important to find the trigger, which can be tried by allergy testing or if food is suspected an exclusion diet (excluding suspected single ingredients for a period of time and watch if the situation improves). Switching to grain-free food is a good first step. The grains may not necessarily be the trigger but dogs, in general, have a harder time digesting high amounts of grain which can put stress on their digestive system. Imbalances there can weaken the entire body and if the immune defense of the individual is not in the best shape either (which also usually is the result of malnutrition) that can suppress the entire natural response of the body to inflammation and other secondary effects that often accompany allergies.
I am telling you this because there is quite a lot you can do. It is too much to put everything in one answer, which is why I will give you the most important information in my view so you can go and research from there or ask questions.
NUTRITION
First of all, I would consider switching to raw nutrition. In that case, you will need to gather more information first because this is not just throwing some meats together and done. But it’s also not rocket science. Depending on your budget a high quality processed food may be the more affordable option. I would recommend looking into brands such as Victor or Taste of the wild etc.
There is a great website on which you can compare ingredients: https://www.dogfoodadvisor.com/
I would try to find a meat-based food. Believe it or not, even many grain-free processed foods are still plant-based. Also, watch out what’s in her treats. Soemtimes it can be as easy as that.
SUPPLEMENTS
Especially for dogs that did not grow up on the best nutrition, have or had ailments but also basically for every dog I would recommend a supplement.
Processed food is said to be balanced enough but my own experience tells me that can’t be entirely true. Choosing a supplement such as NuVET or Nupro and also feeding Salmon oil, in addition, will not only make your dog much more energetic. These additions will give the immune system the necessary boost to better fight infection and inflammation – both of with often occur in the wake of allergies.
EXTERNAL CARE
If your dog’s breakouts concentrate in certain areas such as the belly or paws you can use some iodine-based or chlorhexidine solution for frequent washes. Epsom salt also is a good disinfectant (for washes) but it can irritate wounds. If the spots are sore and raw I would recommend something that does not sting in order to avoid additional pain for the dog.
If the breakouts more or less affect the entire body there are great medicated shampoos and conditioners available for baths. In every case, I would use a shampoo formulated for dogs because their skin has a different ph than human skin which is why products for humans can dry out and stress an already stressed dog skin even more. Bathing a dog too often can have the same effect even when a proper shampoo is being used. The frequency depends on the kind of problem. Therefore this would be something ideally discussed with your vet or at least used with caution (starting once every two weeks or so, see how it goes).
The brand I use and love is Natural Specialties. They offer a variety of regular as well as medicated care products for dogs which can be found on different platforms. Here’s an overview of the medicated shampoos: https://www.naturesspecialties.com/collections/medicated-shampoos-for-dogs-cats
There are also other brands offering good solutions and if you do not want to use a medicated but just a mild shampoo you can just choose an oatmeal shampoo for dogs (provided your dog is not allergic to oatmeal). However, if your dog shows infected spots I would recommend a medicated disinfecting shampoo.
DAILY ROUTINES
If you are setting out to find the trigger of your dog’s allergies a diary could be helpful. Writing down everything from treats over meals, toys, detergents used that doggie could come in contact with, where you go for playtime, etc., and then taking down if and where your dog may start licking itself excessively, times when rashes for example occur or worsen …. all of this information gathered in one journal may reveal a pattern that makes it easier to eventually identify the trigger/s.
I hope these first tips help you to get started. Good luck! And if you have more questions, please don’t hesitate to ask.
Last but not least: There is also a very good forum for Bull Terrier owners: https://www.bulliesofnc.com/BTforum/
The owner is an experienced Bull Terrier breeder. Here you can also ask questions and exchange thoughts with other Bull Terrier owners. Highly recommended!
Hi I tried everything with my female bull terrier and vets could not tell me something sure and she still have pustules all over the body. Hypoallergenic food only with a few ingredients she was well for a while and now in 2 days shes full of crusts
What can I do ???
Hello Bianca,
I am very sorry, but there is simply too few information in your post to provide any help that makes sense. As I do not know what you have already tried and discussed with your vet to begin with, I don’t know what to tell you.
This much I can say: I would definitely try to keep the dog clean and if possible prevent excessive licking of the bumpy body parts (these are usually itchy and dogs tend to lick) to avoid secondary infection. That is for sure in any given situation related to bumps and allergies.
Everything else, such as supplements and how to search for triggers, other remedies etc. also depends on what you already know about your dog’s allergies. I don’t know if the dog was well before because of some kind of medication. Because that’s what your short story kind of sounds like to me. And there are such meds that can make symptoms vanish, but only for as long as the meds are being taken. That’s the catch. As long as the trigger is not eliminated the allergies will always return.
Food is not the only possible trigger. Sadly, there is so much more. If a food switch is supposed to end the allergy it must be known which ingredients the dog cannot tolerate. Hypoallergenic usually means less ingredients and none of the common triggers, such as preservatives, grains etc. But that’s no guarantee. Because theoretically the dog can still be allergic to ingredients of the hypoallergenic food. You need to know what the dog reacts to and eliminate it from the diet, provided that food really is the trigger. Allergies work the same way in dogs as they do in humans.
If you have more questions, please provide more background on your dog’s age, how long you’ve been fighting this now and which measures and medications you have already tried.
I will be happy to review your questions and try to help as good as I can.
Hello everyone so Lucky is my bt and he is 18 months old, have had him since he was 8 weeks young. He has recently started bitting, licking his legs and paws. Have also noticed a bunch of hair and flakes accumulating in his kennel. Almost looks like dandruff, not sure if dogs get that too? Also has developed a rash around his genitals and redness on his inner thigh. So I’m going to schedule a appointment with a dermatologist to have the proper tests done to hopefully find out what is triggering all of this. Hate to see my boy always scratching and biting himself. Have done a lot of research involving this symptoms and have learned that the best way to go about this is to take him to a dermatologist, but I figured I’d ask some fellow bull terrier owners on there personal experience with there awesome companions. Any feedback will be greatly appreciated.
Hello Robert,
first of all, you’re not alone in this. Especially Bull Terriers are really prone to allergy issues.
The most important thing, in general, is that your dog gets good quality nutrition. There is a website called http://www.dogfoodavisor.com where you can compare pet foods.
Also, I would recommend feeding a salmon oil product for dogs and a supplement, such as NuVet or NuPro. You can also feed small amounts of apple cider vinegar (1 tsp. a day with a meal). All of these are promoting your dog’s immune system. A strong and healthy immune system will help your dog when it has to deal with ailments.
At the same time, I recommend a diary and taking down notes on food, treats, extras given such as human food leftovers, cleaners and body care products in use for the dog etc. Then try to remember when the itching and breakouts started and if anything and what changed at that time.
If you can’t remember or this wy of research does not lead to any results, I would try exclusion. Leave out one thing at a time for a certain period of time and see if the symptoms start to vanish. Give it time!
Exclusion can help find the trigger. So can allergy testing at your vet’s.
At the same time, you will have to deal with the current symptoms. It is vital to try and avoid more secondary infections. You can use disinfecting wipes to wipe down your dog’s paws and other areas you find it licking frequently. Once the skin gets licked raw it is easy for bacteria to invade and cause inflammation. This is why it is important to keep the licked parts clean and disinfected.
It will probably be impossible to discourage your dog from licking. If you can, please do.
Then visiting the doctor is a great idea. During the visit, it is important that not only the current symptoms are being treated. There are medications that will work wonders on that. The problem however is that these only work as long as they are given and all symptoms will likely return once the medication is stopped. It is important to find out what triggers the allergy. Because as long as the trigger is still present, the symptoms will always return.
And it is very important NOT to enter an endless cycle of on-off medication. This will not solve the problem for good and over time the meds will harm your dog’s body with their side effects. Most meds are only an emergency solution with allergies.
That said, you will find out if you have a good vet if the doctor also starts to discuss the allergies in general and a strategy on how to find a trigger, and if he does not only give you meds and that’s it.
This is probably going to be a longer journey for you and your dog.
But it is possible to get a hand on this.
Good luck!
Hi, thank you so much for this post, it’s great! I’m also trying to find out the trigger for my BT allergies: constant paw licking and biting. I’m having difficulties with “money-driven” vets, unfortunately, so I’m researching about the home tests sold online. Do you, or anyone here, have any experience with home tests? There are fur and saliva based tests available and they are not cheap so I was wondering if anyone could tell me if they are good/reliable.
I’d appreciate your comments! Thanks!
Hello,
I’m sorry, I don’t have any helpful information on that.
But there is a great forum:
https://www.bulliesofnc.com/BTforum/discussions
There you can meet other Bull Terrier owners. Some of them are dealing with the same issues and may have helpful input for you.
Hi I have a ebt that is almost thirteen within the last couple of months he has developed zit like sores all his body that pop and bleed. The vet has had him on antibiotics, steroids and now we have added thyroid meds due to bloodwork. We are also giving him probiotics because of him being on antibiotics. Has any one ever run into this before? He is a wonderful dog and dont want him to go thru this.
Our last girl experienced something similar. Back then it turned out to be a fungal infection. Only a vet can really diagnose this properly in such cases and prescribe the meds that help. I hope your dog is going to feel better soon.
Would your advise the use of Apoquel, Cytopoint or Atopica on my bull terriers?
I would only recommend using this medication as a last resort as it suppresses the immune reaction of the body, opening the door for other ailments. So, the relief this med provides comes at a cost. A vet should evaluate the entire history of the individual to determine if such medication really should be used.
Before I’d give my dog Apoquel, I would exhaust every other route. And if I had to resort to this med I would want to be really informed about how it works and what side effects I have to expect. Sadly, especially when it comes to allergies there’s no miracle cure, except finding and excluding the trigger, which is not possible in every case. And then sometimes Apoquel may be the only option. But you really want to make sure.
Hi. My tricolour bully has allergies. His feet break out so bad that he can’t walk. He is poorly at the moment. I have put him on a raw food diet but I think he has been stealing out of the bin. He is really miserable. He is now 6 but has suffered on and off since he was a puppy. The vets won’t do an allergy test because of the cost. Is there anything I am missing and is there anything I can give him to make him feel a bit better
I am so sad to hear about your dog’s suffering. Sadly as long as you have not identified the trigger it’s a guessing game. Every relief that can be provided will only be temporary and likely only last as long as you apply it. If the trigger is still there, there is no long-term cure, because the body still has to deal with what is making it sick. I wish I could tell you about some kind of miracle cure. But unfortunately, that’s not how allergies work. The trigger needs to be identified and eliminated if that is even possible.
Thank you so much for your information. I have a bull terrier and he suddenly started itching again. When we first bought him he started breaking out in little hives all over his body our veterinarian put them on hills science diet prescription . This worked, I have tried to use some of the more expensive popular brands they say are better for dogs and his little bumps have come back. He exercises outside,This year this spring he has had itching and chewing on his paws. I bought a hypoallergenic shampoo. Our vet said I could give him a half a tablet a Benadryl do you know if he gets real itchy. If it continues he said to bring him in. Your article was very informative and I will look up the pet honesty website thank you. Our bull terrier it’s four years old.