French Bulldog Skin Bumps: 5 Vet-Reviewed Causes

When petting your French Bulldog, you may have noticed bumps on their skin. This can be alarming, but Frenchies are susceptible to skin issues, so feeling an occasional lump or bump may be nothing to worry about. It’s always a good idea to get any bump checked out by a vet, though, just to make sure it’s not serious.

In this article, we look at common reasons that French Bulldogs get skin bumps. Some can go away on their own, and others need medical treatment. Read on to learn more about French Bulldog skin issues and what you can do if you notice them.

The 5 Possible Causes of Skin Bumps on French Bulldogs

1. Fatty Tumors

Fatty tumors are mostly harmless and tend to show up in older or overweight dogs. Also known as lipomas, these tumors vary in size and shape. They usually start to appear on middle-aged dogs. They can grow anywhere, but they are commonly felt just under the skin’s surface.

If they grow between muscles, they can cause pain when the dog walks. It’s important to get any fatty tumors tested because even though they are usually benign, there is a malignant form of them.

2. Sebaceous Cysts

Sebaceous cysts develop from the sebaceous glands of the skin. They fill with sebum and feel like large pimples. They often occur in hair follicles that get clogged. These are common growths on dogs. It usually feels like a small, raised growth on the skin’s surface. They are smooth and can sometimes have hair growing out of them from the surrounding hair follicles.

Vets can treat these cysts by simply expressing them or may treat them with antibiotics, topical treatments, and anti-inflammatories. These cysts aren’t usually serious, but they can become infected.

3. Hives

Hives are skin rashes that can result in swollen, red patches of skin. They appear suddenly, usually caused by insect bites or allergic reactions. In some cases, stress, heat, and sunlight can cause them.

Hives can disappear as quickly as they develop, but if they don’t go away, you’ll have to see your vet. Treatment can include corticosteroids and topical creams.

• See Also: My Dog Was Stung by a Bee or Wasp, What Should I Do? (Vet Answer)

4. Warts

Any dog can get warts, but they are more common in younger animals. Warts look like a cauliflower head raised on the skin. Some warts are firm lumps with a dot in the middle. These growths can develop on a dog’s face and mouth, in addition to other areas of the body. If the warts are inside the mouth, it can make eating or drinking painful.

Dogs with warts are contagious to other dogs because warts are caused by an infection of papillomavirus. Most warts disappear on their own when the infection clears. If the warts don’t go away or start to bleed or cause the dog any discomfort, they should be removed by a vet.

5. Abscesses

An abscess is a pocket of pus that can form on your French Bulldog’s skin. These bumps are painful and infected. If they rupture, you may notice a foul-smelling material emerge. Any injury to the skin that gets infected can cause an abscess. Dogs usually have a fever with these bumps.

If you notice an abscess on your dog, have it drained properly by your vet. Your dog will likely also be treated with antibiotics to get rid of any lingering infection. Once the abscess is drained, the dog will be much more comfortable.

How Can I Tell if My French Bulldog Has Skin Bumps?

Your dog may be your first clue. If you notice that they are frequently scratching or biting at a certain area of their body, inspect that area to see what's causing the discomfort. Short-coated dogs like Frenchies are easy to check for bumps because they don't have much hair to search through. Be sure to check the ears, lips, mouth, toes, and groin for bumps during your inspection.

Just petting your dog regularly can lead to the discovery of a bump. You know what your dog feels like and will be able to tell if a bump is new. If you notice anything unusual, especially if it’s causing your dog any pain, take them to the vet for an exam.

Conclusion

French Bulldogs can commonly develop skin conditions during their lives. Know what skin bumps mean and what they could be, so you know what to do if you feel one on your dog. Usually, these bumps are harmless, but some can be serious. Always take your dog to the vet for any new bumps to be examined thoroughly.

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Featured Image Credit: Tienuskin, Shutterstock