Subject: Seeking Help for Max’s Food Allergy Symptoms 🐾😔 #BulldogHealth #FoodAllergy
Dear Dr. Kraemer, Max seems to be struggling with both his GI tract and skin. I’ve noticed digestive issues and skin irritation, which are causing Max significant discomfort. Can it be his food? Should I start him on a grain-free diet? How best to treat food allergies in bulldogs?
Thank you for your attention to Max’s well-being.
Warm regards, [Your Name] & Max 🐶💖 #BulldogMom #FoodAllergyCare
Food allergies in bulldogs and French bulldogs can impact the digestive tract and skin.
Mistakenly, many bulldog owners attribute their bully’s digestive and skin issues to a “food allergy,” leading them to switch their pet’s diet. However, the truth is that most of these skin and digestive problems in bullies are unrelated to food.
Even if there is a food allergy, owners often misunderstand and improperly implement the chosen “hypoallergenic” diet and trial duration, resulting in erroneous conclusions and courses of action.
Bulldog Food Allergy 5 X MUST KNOW
- A food allergy can manifest as a gastrointestinal problem as well as a skin one.
- Food allergies are mostly due to the diet’s protein source, not the grain
- The best way to test for food allergy is to do a few-week trial on a hypoallergenic diet
- Treatment often requires a hypoallergenic diet, itch control, bully topical and supplement therapeutics
- Prevention and care include Dr. Kraemer’s Bulldog Food Allgery Control Bundles.
Members of this bulldog community prefer prevention over RX
Bulldog and French Bulldog Digestive Problems:
Gastrointestinal problems are less likely to be due to food allergies and more likely to be due to:
- Intestinal parasites
- Intestinal virus
- Bacteria gastroenteritis
- Indiscretion eating
Bulldog and French Bulldog Skin Problems:
Dermal conditions are less likely due to food allergies and more likely due to:
- Bulldog atopic dermatitis (environmental allergens)
- Flea allergy
- Bacteria and yeast dermatitis
- Contact allergy
- Skin mites
Bulldog Allergies: SEASONAL vs. YEAR-AROUND
Digestive or skin conditions that persist year-round are typically indicative of food allergies, whereas seasonal issues are unlikely to be related to food and associated allergies
Bulldog Allergies: GASTROINTESTINAL vs. SKIN MANIFESTATION:
Food allergies should be given higher priority on your list of potential causes if your bulldog experiences both skin and digestive problems.
Bulldog Food Allergy SKIN DERMATITIS SYMPTOMS:
Symptoms include
- itching
- hair loss
- erythema (redness)
- flakes
- seborrhea
- secondary bacteria or/and yeast infection
Bulldog Food Allergy: DIGESTIVE SYMPTOMS
Symptoms include:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Flatulence
- Distended abdomen
- Abdominal pain
Milder forms of food allergies may manifest with symptoms such as frequent belly rumbling and flatulence (yes, the type that makes everyone recoil). However, your bulldog might also experience more severe symptoms like diarrhea, vomiting, and abdominal pain.
Food Allergy In Bulldogs and Fr. Bulldogs: DIAGNOSIS
- Wellness: Before initiating a hypoallergenic food trial, it’s essential to conduct thorough wellness checks and diagnostic assessments.
- Seasonal vs. Year-Round: If your bulldog exhibits skin dermatitis consistently associated with food allergies (such as year-round itching rather than seasonal fluctuations), prioritizing food allergies on your list of potential causes is advisable.
- Serum Testing: While some hospitals and labs offer serum allergen tests to categorize protein sources and assess sensitivity levels, these tests are costly, and their results are not considered diagnostically reliable. Neither I nor the accredited dermatologist endorse or recommend them.
- FOOD TRIAL: The gold standard for identifying food allergies is a food trial. The duration of the trial depends on whether the allergy affects the gastrointestinal tract or the skin.
BULLDOG FOOD ALLERGY TRIAL: GASTROENTERITIS
- A minimum trial period of 2–3 weeks with a hypoallergenic elimination diet is necessary
- Your adherence to this strict regimen is crucial for accurate results.
- I strongly advise using a prescribed hypoallergenic diet during this trial period
- It is imperative to strictly avoid any scraps of food, treats, or chewable medicine during the trial period.
Challenge: If your bulldog’s gastroenteritis shows improvement during the 2-3-week trial, a challenge with the previous diet is recommended to confirm the diagnosis.
OTHER TESTING FOR SUSPECTED BULLDOG ALLERGIC GASTROENTERITIS
- FECAL TEST (Test for Intestinal Parasites):
- smear
- PCR
- BLOOD TEST:
- CBC & Chemstires
- IBD screen
- GI Panel
- IMAGING:
- Radiographs
- Ultrasound
BULLDOG FOOD ALLERGY TRIAL: DERMATITIS
- A minimum trial period of 8-10 weeks with a hypoallergenic elimination diet is necessary.
- During this time, strict adherence is essential, meaning no table scraps, treats, or chewable medicine are allowed.
- I strongly recommend using a prescription hypoallergenic diet for the duration of the trial.
Challenge: If the skin dermatitis and itching improve by the end of the trial, it is recommended to reintroduce the previous diet to confirm the diagnosis.
OTHER TESTING FOR SUSPECTED BULLDOG SKIN DERMATITIS
- CYTOLOGY: looking for Bacteria & Yeast organisms and various cell types
- SKIN SCRAPE: looking for Demodex & Sacropitic skin Mites
- DTM: fungal culture to help rule out ringworm
Food Allergy in Bulldogs: PREVENTION
Allergic reactions are commonly triggered by the primary protein source in the diet, typically derived from animal meats such as:
- Chicken
- Beef,
- Turkey
- Fish
- Etc.
In normal times, a high-quality and balanced pet diet is ideal for your bully’s good health.
ORGANIC NON-PROCESSED DIET TIP
Offering fresh, organic, unprocessed fruits and vegetables to your bully is commendable, but it’s important to be cautious and avoid potentially toxic options like onions and grapes (including raisins).
Food Allergy Bully Therapeutics: SUPPLEMENTS & TOPICALS
- Bully Fish Oil JOINT-IMMUNE-SKIN
- Bully Skin & Coat Derma Care Tab
- Bully Immune Support
- Bully Pre/Probiotic & Digestive Enzymes
- Bully Gentle Move Fiber Formula
- Bully ItchLess Bundles
- Bully Hypoallergenic Bundles
- See HERE
BULLDOG FOOD ALLERGY HYPOALLERGENIC DIET
When a bulldog food allergy is suspected, a hypoallergenic elimination diet is usually required.
The hypoallergenic diet could be either:
- NOVEL DIET: A prescription novel protein
- HYDROLYZED DIET: is a prescription hydrolyzed protein diet
- PURIFIED AMINO ACID: a prescription diet
- HOME-COOKED NOVEL: or a home-cooked novel protein diet
Bulldog Food Allergy Hypoallergenic Diet Challenge:
If, at the end of the trial, your bully shows significant improvement, I recommend reintroducing the previous diet as a diagnostic challenge. It’s anticipated that any gastrointestinal or skin issues will resurface within days to two weeks from the start of the challenge.
If the previous clinical problems reappear during this challenge, it would strongly suggest that your bully has a food allergy, necessitating long-term, strict hypoallergenic diet feeding.
Food Allergy In English Bulldogs And French Bulldogs GRAIN-FREE
Grain-free diets are a popular choice among bulldog owners seeking a remedy for medical issues associated with food allergies.
Bulldog Food Allergy: PROTEIN vs. GRAIN MYTH
Many bully owners associate food allergy with grains when in fact it is usually due to the protein source found in meat.
The most common pet food allergens are
- CHICKEN
- BEEF
- FISH
Also on the frequent allergen list are:
- CORN
- SOY
- DAIRY
- EGG
To read more about Grain-Free Diets and Bulldogs (“No Grain Diets”, “Low Grain Diets”)….CLICK HERE
Food Allergy In Bulldog And French Bulldogs TIPS & WARNINGS
Below are selected food allergy tips and warnings, courtesy of Dr. kraemer
BULLDOG FOOD ALLERGY SEASONAL TIP
When your bulldog experiences year-round itching and/or otitis (ear infections) alongside gastrointestinal problems, it’s crucial to prioritize food allergies as a primary consideration on your rule-out list.
BULLDOG FOOD ALLERGY FOOD TRIAL TIP:
The most effective method to diagnose a food allergy is through a strict food trial using a prescription hypoallergenic diet, which can either be a novel protein diet or a hydrolyzed protein prescription diet.
BULLDOG FOOD ALLERGY NOVEL DIET TIP:
If you chose a trial with a prescription novel protein, I prefer either
- Alligator
- Kangaroo
Caution: Avoid relatives of chickens, beef, and fish, such as:
- duck
- turkey
- venison
- salmon
BULLDOG FOOD ALLERGY STRICT WARNING:
It’s essential to understand that the goal of the hypoallergenic diet trial is twofold: to eliminate the offending allergen while ensuring the provision of essential dietary components such as calories and nutrients.
For example, if your child has a severe peanut allergy, their diet must be completely free of peanuts while still meeting all other nutritional requirements.
FOOD ALLERGY IN BULLDOGS OTC WARNING:
If the cost of prescription hypoallergenic diets is prohibitive, you may consider trying over-the-counter (OTC) diets that do not contain common allergens such as soy, corn, chicken, dairy, beef, wheat, or fish. However, it’s important to note that while this is an option, I don’t recommend it as strongly as prescription diets for diagnosing and managing food allergies in bulldogs.
BULLDOG FOOD ALLERGY DIET SELECTION TIP:
Indeed, it’s crucial to recognize that not all bulldogs are alike. While one bulldog may respond positively to a particular type of hypoallergenic diet, another may not fare as well, and the next bulldog puppy could exhibit entirely different outcomes.
Individual variations in response to hypoallergenic diets highlight the importance of personalized dietary management for each bulldog with suspected food allergies.
FOOD ALLERGY IN BULLDOGS HYPOALLERGENIC TREATS TIP:
For those struggling to adhere to the trial duration without giving their bully treats, there’s a solution. Many prescription hypoallergenic diets come with hypoallergenic treats. Additionally, these diets are available in cans, which can be used to create prescription “meatball-pill pocket” treats.
This allows you to maintain a strict dietary regimen while still providing your bulldog with treats they enjoy.
BULLDOG FOOD ALLERGY GRAIN-FREE TIP:
If you suspect your bully’s allergies are related to grains, a grain-free dietary trial should last for the required duration.
During this trial, grains should account for less than one-third (<1/3) of the whole diet, with the remaining two-thirds consisting of meat, animal protein, fruits, and vegetables.
FOOD ALLERGY OTHER PETS WARNING:
During the trial, it’s crucial to ensure that your pets do not share any food items with you or with each other. If you cannot be certain that your dog will not consume the diets of your other pets, I recommend placing all your pets on the hypoallergenic diet during the trial period. This helps to maintain the integrity of the trial and ensures accurate results.
FOOD ALLERGY IN BULLDOGS BLOOD TEST WARNING:
While blood testing can help diagnose atopic dogs, it is not as reliable for identifying food allergies.
The preferred and most effective diagnostic method for food allergies is a strict trial on a hypoallergenic diet followed by a challeng food test.
FOOD ALLERGY FLAVOR WARNING:
Remove everything with flavorings like
- treats and toys
- flavored medication
- flavored supplements
- flea tab
- dental paste
- supplements containing allergen
- various chows
BULLDOG FOOD ALLERGY IBD WARNING:
Untreated gastrointestinal disease due to food allergies could eventually lead to IBD (inflammatory bile disease) and an irritable bowel.
FOOD ALLERGY TESTING WARNING:
It’s essential not to initiate the trial until you have completed a comprehensive workup and resolved any other ongoing medical issues, such as thyroid problems or gastrointestinal issues (parasitic infections, etc.). Addressing these underlying conditions ensures that the results of the food trial are not confounded by other health issues and allows for a more accurate assessment of the bulldog’s condition.
FOOD ALLERGY LOW-GRADE DIETS WARNING:
Lower-grade diets pose a higher risk of unwanted adverse effects, such as allergies and immune-mediated diseases like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). This is primarily due to the increased likelihood of unwholesome elements and contaminants present in these diets.
Opting for higher-quality diets can help mitigate these risks and promote better overall health for your bulldog
FOOD SUPPLEMENTS WARNING:
When selecting a diet and choosing the best food for your bully, it’s important not to base your decision solely on advertised “with added supplements.” While these supplements may not harm your bully, they are often more of a marketing tactic than a genuine value addition. Popular supplements like
- fish oil (omega 3 and 6),
- glucosamine,
- chondroitin,
- MSM
- probiotics
are commonly included, but typically, the dosages provided in these diets’ daily feeding recommendations are not sufficient to have a therapeutic impact on medical conditions. Therefore, it’s essential to focus on the overall quality and nutritional balance of the diet rather than solely relying on added supplements.
When medically indicated I recommend supplements to be given separately as a standalone treatment.
FOOD CONTAMINANTS WARNING:
Food allergies can sometimes be attributed to undetected contaminants in grains and meats. This underscores the importance of sourcing high-quality ingredients and ensuring rigorous quality control measures in pet food production to minimize the risk of allergen contamination
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