How To Clean A English Bulldogs Face

I am "owned" by a marvelous Rottie named Gage, and he's my best friend in the whole world! I enjoy sharing tips with other dog parents.

At the first sign of redness, soreness, or bad smell, give your Bulldog a bath, dry them well, and apply antibiotic ointment to the infected area.

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Bulldog Wrinkle Infection Care

People tend to think of wrinkles as an annoying sign of aging. Not in the case of the Bulldog, however! The most adorable parts of a Bulldog are its lovable wrinkles and cuddly bodies.

If you already own one, you should already know that properly caring for these wrinkles is key to maintaining good overall health. Without proper care, your Bulldog's wrinkles can become red, inflamed, and even severely infected. Read on for instructions on proper daily wrinkle care and also what to do at the first sign of an infection.

How to Treat a Bulldog's Infected Wrinkle

Every day: Wipe your Bulldog's wrinkles thoroughly with a dry paper towel or cloth. Make sure you get any "goop" out. Make sure you are getting all the wrinkles! As you know, these dogs have many. The face folds and nose wrinkle are the most prone to infection, but the other smaller face wrinkles and the tail pocket are also important to clean daily.
Every other day or so: Use a wet cloth to wipe out the wrinkles. Don't forget to dry them well afterward.
If your dog's skin is sensitive: If your Bulldog seems prone to infection or red, smelly wrinkles, switch up this routine. Instead of wiping with a wet cloth every other day, use an acne pad instead. You can buy any brand, but Stridex works well. Thoroughly wipe each wrinkle with these pads every couple of days instead of using the wet cloth. Continue to wipe with the dry paper towel every day. Note: It's ok to leave the wrinkles wet after wiping with the acne pads; the salyctic acid will prevent bacteria from growing.

What Are the Signs of an Infected Wrinkle?

If you notice a strange smell, see your Bulldog rubbing his or her face on the ground, or notice any redness in or around a wrinkle, take immediate action. You can usually keep an infection from getting without having to take your dog to a vet.

What to Do at the First Sign of Infection

If this method doesn't result in improvement within a few days, take your dog to a vet.

Give your dog a full bath and scrub all wrinkles (especially the infected area) with a wet washcloth. Remove any dirt or lingering bacteria. Dry well.
Apply a mixture of triple antibiotic ointment or gel and Neosporin. Mix in equal parts, about a nickel-sized amount total or more depending upon the size of the infected area. Apply to the infected wrinkle area. Use generously and leave wet.
Try to not let your dog rub the ointment off. This will be difficult! The medicine should soothe the itching, but some dogs can get antsy just feeling something funny on their skin.
Apply this mixture 2–3 times a day, depending on the severity of the infection. Between applications, remove old ointment with a dry paper towel. It's a good idea to apply the ointment in the morning, at lunch, and at night, using the dry paper towels a couple of hours after each application. If you aren't able to attend to your dog this often throughout the day, one application in the morning and one at night will suffice just fine.
Try this method for at least three days. (It may take a week, however, for the medicine to completely do its job.) If, after three days, you don't see any sign of improvement (less redness, better odor, and your dog seems less uncomfortable), consult a vet. If you do see even a small amount of improvement, continue for a week and re-evaluate the situation. You should notice improvement each day, little by little. If the infection is deep and serious, this method will not work, so it is important to use your best judgment.

This article is accurate and true to the best of the author's knowledge. It is not meant to substitute for diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, prescription, or formal and individualized advice from a veterinary medical professional. Animals exhibiting signs and symptoms of distress should be seen by a veterinarian immediately.

anomynous on October 21, 2018:

i didn't bathe my bulldog for a bit, and i didn't know about wrinkle infections, how red would a infection be (i have just bathed them and got rid of the goop but i want to make sure before buying medicines)

Sandy on April 27, 2018:

Will the stridex pads burn when applied to the area?