Has your dog ever shown any pigment changes to the skin? Was enough concern generated that you addressed the changes with your veterinarian? See my perspective on thei Love Dogs (iLD) Ask A Vet pageon the appearance of a French Bulldog's pink skin.
I have awhite and brindleFrench Bulldog. In the summertime when we go outside in the grass, hisskinturns bright pink, especially hisbelly,pawsandmouth.It doesn’t seem to bother him, but he doesn’t always show it if he’s uncomfortable.I know French Bulldogs can have a lot of problems withallergies. Is this something I should be concerned about?–KatieHello Katie,Thank you for your question.The French Bulldog is one of my favorite breeds. I’ve treated many in my years of veterinary practice, and was even involved in providing pro-bono care forBuddha, a Frenchie who was severely burned by an unknown heat source. He eventually healed after a series of electrostimulation acupuncture treatments and regular consumption of immune system-enhancingi Love Dogs Glucosamine & Chondroitin with Green Teaand Reishisupplements.In regard to your question, many dogs with white fur tend to have pink skin that is more apparent to the outside observer than dogs with dark fur. Any exposure to environmental allergens, textured surfaces (carpets, plant material or rough ground, for example) or other irritants can cause inflammation to the skin and make it look pink or red. This effect could be short or long term, depending on the nature of the irritation and on the ability of the dog’simmune systemto quiet down the inflammation.Here are the circ*mstances in which I would be concerned about your dog’s pink skin:
- If the skin stays pink on a continual basis or changes in color to red, purple, black, white, yellow or other variant from the norm.
- If your dog starts licking, chewing, rubbing or scratching at the affected area.
- If the skin begins to ooze clear to pink liquid, or thicker yellow to green discharge (“pus”).
- If there’s a bad smell or greasy feel to your dog’s skin.
- If your dog displays discomfort when the affected skin is touched.
With any ongoing concerns for your pooch’s dermatologic health, make sure to schedule an examination with yourveterinarian. Diagnostic testing, including skin scraping or impression smear (for cytology);blood,urineand fecal evaluation; and other tests (Wood’s lamp evaluation, skin biopsy, X-rays or ultrasound, for example) may be needed to get a sense of your dog’s whole body health status.If the issues cannot be appropriately addressed by your veterinarian, then pursue an evaluation with a veterinary dermatologist. One can be found in your area through the referral of your veterinarian or via theAmerican College of Veterinary Dermatologywebsite.Good luck,Patrick Mahaney, VMD, CVAAsk a Vet is intended for informational purposes only. If your dog requires veterinary attention, you should take him to your vet or animal emergency clinic for an examination.Click hereto find a veterinarian near you.Have a question concerning your dog’s health?Send it to Ask a Vet.PHOTO:Mustang_79Thank you for reading this article. Your questions and comments are completely welcome (I’ll respond).Please feel free to communicate with me through Twitter (@PatrickMahaney) and follow my adventures in veterinary medicine by likingPatrick Mahaney: Veterinarian Acupuncture Pain Management for Your Petson Facebook.Copyright of this article (2013) is owned by Dr Patrick Mahaney, Veterinarian and Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist. Republishing any portion of this article must first be authorized by Dr Patrick Mahaney. Requests for republishing must be approved by Dr Patrick Mahaney and received in written format.
FAQs
Any exposure to environmental allergens, textured surfaces (carpets, plant material or rough ground, for example) or other irritants can cause inflammation to the skin and make it look pink or red.
Why is my French bulldogs skin pink? ›
Oculocutaneous albinism (small breed type) is an inherited condition of pigmentation affecting the French bulldog. Affected dogs are born with a generalized lack of pigment resulting in all white hair, pale eyes, and pink skin, lips, eye rims, foot pads, and nose.
What does it mean when your dog's skin turns pink? ›
Atopic Dermatitis - An allergy to something in your dog's environment (like pollen, grass, mould or dust mites) or food can cause their skin to become pink and itchy. Allergies like this tend to present between six months and three years of age.
What makes a pink French bulldog? ›
Lhasa Apso Albinism (LAA) is an oculocutaneous albinism that is characterized by white or off-white fur and pink skin, and is caused by a missense variant in the SLC45A2 gene. This variant is also responsible for French Bulldog Pink.
Why is my dogs fur turning pink? ›
When dogs lick their paws excessively, a build-up of porphyrins from the saliva turns the fur around the area pink or rusty red. Over time, the stains can turn a darker brown. While the staining is only unsightly, excessive licking is often a sign of an underlying medical or behavioral issue.
How pink should dog skin be? ›
Healthy canine skin tones range in shades of pink, tan, brown, gray, and black. A dog's skin can also have darker pigmented spots, even if their coat colors are not spotted. Areas with thinner skin, such as on the ears, may be pinker or lighter in color than the rest of the body.
How to get rid of pink fur on dogs? ›
Saturate the pink fur stain with the saltwater solution; pour the mixture directly onto the stain and massage it into the fur for at least one minute. The salt works to kill the bacteria. Towel dry the affected area so that your dog's fur is not dripping water.
What does pink look like to dogs? ›
The color pink is simply a lighter version of the color red. Since dogs most likely see the color red as brown, it is likely that dogs view the color pink as a light beige. Like all other colors, these shades of this beige can differ depending on what shade of pink the dog is looking at.
What is a pink skin growth on a dog? ›
Metastatic tumor is a tumor that spread from another tumor in the body. Histiocytoma is a benign button tumor that typically is pink, raised is relatively hairless. Believed to potentially be induced by a virus, these tumors commonly will resolve spontaneously in most dogs.
How much is a pink French Bulldog worth? ›
A purebred French Bulldog from a breeder can cost between $1,500 to $8,000. Rarer coat colors can command prices in the range of $6,000 or more. The lifetime cost of owning a French Bulldog can vary significantly based on things like their health, grooming needs, and overall lifestyle.
Depending on the dog's features, the most expensive French bulldog could cost as much as $30,000.
What is the normal color of a French Bulldog? ›
Acceptable colors: white, cream, fawn (ranging from light fawn to a red fawn), or any combinations of the foregoing. Markings and patterns are: brindle, piebald, black masks, black shadings, and white markings. Ticking is acceptable but not desired.
Why is my Frenchie pink? ›
Any exposure to environmental allergens, textured surfaces (carpets, plant material or rough ground, for example) or other irritants can cause inflammation to the skin and make it look pink or red.
How often should you bathe a French Bulldog? ›
The Frenchie does require regular bathing and grooming. This lively and intelligent little dog can be bathed as frequently as every week up to no more than every six weeks depending on his lifestyle. With this smooth coated breed, regular bathing is essential to maintain healthy skin and coat.
What is pyoderma in French Bulldogs? ›
Deep pyoderma is a rare bacterial infection located beneath the skin. It is typically a more severe form of infection, often necessitating systemic antibacterial treatment. Bulldogs affected by deep pyoderma can become ill and may require immediate medical attention.
Why is my Frenchies belly red? ›
Belly rashes in French Bulldogs have many potential causes including heat, parasites, allergies, fungal infection, bacterial infection, and hormonal problems.
How much is a pink French bulldog? ›
A purebred French Bulldog from a breeder can cost between $1,500 to $8,000. Rarer coat colors can command prices in the range of $6,000 or more. The lifetime cost of owning a French Bulldog can vary significantly based on things like their health, grooming needs, and overall lifestyle.
Why is my French Bulldogs face red? ›
French Bulldogs are prone to allergies, including food allergies, environmental allergies, and contact allergies. These allergies can manifest as itching, redness, rashes, and ear infections. The top five most common food allergens for dogs are beef, dairy, chicken, wheat and lamb.
Has your dog ever shown any pigment changes to the skin? Was enough concern generated that you addressed the changes with your veterinarian? See my perspective on thei Love Dogs (iLD) Ask A Vet pageon the appearance of a French Bulldog's pink skin.