Caring for Dogs with Wrinkles

Your furry friend's wrinkles give him or her a very distinctive appearance, but the very characteristic that helps define his or her breed can also cause skin irritation and infections. In many cases, preventing problems is a simple as cleaning skin folds every day.

What Causes Skin Problems?

The folds and wrinkles in your dog's skin trap dirt, dust, saliva and debris, which can irritate sensitive skin. Because skin folds are often moist, they provide the perfect environment for the development of pyoderma, a bacterial infection. If your pet has pyoderma, you may notice several symptoms, including:

  • Frequent scratching
  • Red, bumpy skin
  • Oozing sores
  • Pustules (Round, red blisters filled with pus.)
  • Crusts or scales on the skin
  • Hair loss
  • Unpleasant odor

What Dogs Are at Risk?

Any breed that has wrinkles, such as English bulldogs, Pekingese, Shar Pei, pugs, Neopolitan Mastiffs, bloodhounds and bullmastiffs, have a greater risk of developing pyoderma. Dogs of any breed that develop wrinkles or folds as a result of a weight gain are also more likely to experience skin problems.

How Can I Prevent Irritation and Infections?

Within a few days of a bath, dirt and debris begins to build up in your pet's skin folds. Without regular cleaning, your dog can soon develop an irritation or infection. Daily cleaning is the simplest way to prevent uncomfortable or painful irritations and infections.

In some cases, you may want to clean your pet's folds and wrinkles more than once a day. For example, if food often gets trapped in the folds of your dog's face after meals, it may make sense to quickly clean the facial folds after every meal.

Follow these steps to clean folds and wrinkles:

  • Assemble the items you'll need for cleaning. Whether you use washcloths or cotton balls, or baby or canine wipes, you'll need soft, clean, moistened materials that won't irritate your pet's skin. There's no need to apply shampoo to the washcloth or cotton ball. As long as it's damp, it will pick up dirt easily. You'll also need a separate cloth to dry the folds.
  • Lift every fold and gently swab away dirt and debris. Pay special attention to wrinkles around the ears and eyes. Infections in these areas can be particularly uncomfortable. If you use a washcloth, be sure to rinse it frequently to avoid adding debris to a fold, rather than removing it.
  • Use your cloth to pat the fold dry. Failing to dry each fold may actually increase your dog's risk of a bacterial or fungal infection. Although using a hair dryer may offer a faster way to dry your pet, the hot, dry air can dry and irritate the skin. Before you use a dryer, even on a cool setting, check with your pet's veterinarian.
  • Bathe your dog on a regular basis, making sure that each fold is examined and thoroughly cleaned. Use gentle shampoos that won't dry your furry friend's skin.

What If My Dog Develops an Irritation or Infection Despite Daily Cleaning?

A visit to the veterinarian is a good idea if your poor pet can't stop scratching or develops oozing sores or any other signs of an infection. If your dog does develop an infection, topical steroids may help reduce the itching or inflammation, while oral or topical antibiotics or fungicides will kill the bacteria or fungus responsible for the infection. Your pet's vet can also offer recommendations for bathing schedules and products that will help your dog avoid further infections or irritations.

We can help your pet avoid uncomfortable skin issues with skincare suggestions and effective treatments. Contact us to schedule an appointment for your furry friend.

Sources:

ASPCA Pet Health Insurance: Wrinkly Pet Tips

https://www.aspcapetinsurance.com/blog/2016/july/07/wrinkly-dog-care-tips/

PetMD: Bacterial Infection (Pyoderma) of the Skin in Dogs

https://www.petmd.com/dog/conditions/skin/c_multi_pyoderma?page=show

Pet Health Network: Skin Fold Pyodermas: Those Cute Skin Folds Can Be Dangerous, 1/5/15

https://www.pethealthnetwork.com/dog-health/dog-diseases-conditions-a-z/skin-fold-pyodermas-those-cute-skin-folds-can-be-dangerous

Featured Articles

Read about interesting topics

Newsletter Signup

Sign up for more articles

Testimonials

Read What Our Clients Say

  • "I began working for Dr. Kaiser at the Animal Clinic of Mandarin over 3 years ago. I decided
    to get a new Lab mix puppy and made the decision to enroll Zuri in Trupanion. I made this
    decision after hearing other employees and Dr. Kaiser talking about how great it has been for
    their own pets and our clients.
    Within the first 6 months my puppy Zuri’s knee kept coming out of place and she would stiffen
    up and could only walk on 3 legs. She had to have surgery and between working with Dr. Kaiser
    and the specialist I couldn’t have been happier that I was able to take care of Zuri and give her
    the treatment that was needed at such a young age. I now have no worries as she grows older
    that I won’t be able to take care of her financially. I recently added a new 1 year old rescue Great
    Dane, Zane to our family. He also has Trupanion because I can’t imagine the cost if something
    happens to him being such a large dog."
    Melissa P.
  • "Dr. Kaiser and staff are awesome. Great customer service. They deal with the pet insurance company directly for you so you don't have to pay what is covered directly out of pocket. They have gone above and beyond to help our fur baby. Super clean! We love to see Harry (the beautiful St. Bernard) growing up as well!"
    Nicole P.
  • "I called and was able to get an appt the same day. The office was very clean and customer service was very exceptional. Dr. Kaiser took her time to go explain everything and get a thorough history. Sick call exam and consultation came up to $51.75. She also offered a deal on pet insurance. Overall we had a very good experience."
    Charlene H.