Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Skin and ear health in English bulldogs - owner insights
By Seppänen, Riitta T K et al.·Published in Veterinary dermatology·2019·Veterinary Teaching Hospital·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Skin and ear health in a group of English bulldogs in Finland - a descriptive study with special reference to owner perceptions.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of 27 English bulldogs in Finland were examined for skin and ear health, and all of them showed signs of dermatological issues, but 37% of their owners didn't notice any problems. The study also found that these bulldogs had narrower ear canals compared to other dog breeds, which might be linked to their unique facial structure. Owners reported a median quality of life score of 5 out of 12, indicating that many were unaware of how these health issues could affect their pets' well-being. Regular check-ups and awareness of potential skin and ear problems are important for this breed.
People also search for: English bulldog skin problems · dog ear health issues · bulldog quality of life · why is my dog scratching · narrow ear canals in dogs
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Dermatological conditions are common in English bulldogs (EBs). HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: This cross-sectional study describes the dermatological health status of a group of EBs and compares the results with owner perceptions and its possible impact on quality of life (QoL). Computed tomographic (CT) findings of the ear canals were compared between EBs and mesaticephalic dogs. ANIMALS: Twenty-seven EBs participating in a health study in Finland. METHODS AND MATERIALS: A QoL questionnaire was completed for EBs with owner-reported clinical signs referable to the skin or ear. Clinical evaluation included recording the Canine Atopic Dermatitis Extent and Severity Index, the Otitis Index Score, false paw pad grading and the presence of interdigital furunculosis. These were summed to form a total clinical score (TCS). The cross-sectional surface areas of the horizontal ear canals were measured from CT images and compared with respective images of 14 mesaticephalic dogs collected from a patient database. RESULTS: All 27 EBs had abnormal findings on dermatological examination, but 37% of the owners had not recognized skin or ear signs. The median QoL score was 5.0 (range 0-12) and correlated with TCS (correlation coefficient = 0.507, P < 0.05). English bulldogs had narrower horizontal ear canals than mesaticephalic dogs (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: All EBs had abnormal dermatological findings that were unnoticed or considered to be of minor significance to the QoL by most owners. Narrow ear canals were common, possibly related to the brachycephalic conformation of the breed.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31037780/