Red and swollen around dog’s mouth area

Hi Raquel,
From the photo it looks like your 2 1/2 year old French bull dog has Staph Pyoderma. This is a bacterial infection, but in her case it appears that she has developed an ‘allergic’ reaction to the by-products of the bacteria.

She may need antibiotics for immediate relief, BUT continuing to give her drugs, such as antibiotics, antihistamines, or cortisone, are only suppressing her symptoms, NOT improving her health.

You wrote,
“has always been healthy except for allergies on her tummy”, indicates an underlying immune system imbalance. And now, “she likes to go outside at night to avoid the new puppy”. Emotional upset will cause more strain on the immune system.

Her diet is Science Diet. Is this dry or canned? And she lives in a hot, and dry climate. She needs moisture in her diet! NO DRY FOOD.

She needs less stress. She will need supplements to boost her immune system, and Bach flower essences to help her emotions (more on this in a moment).

Check out our page on 10 Best Dog Food Options and consider a healthier canned food (NOT Science Diet) or even a switch to raw dog food diet.

(To be continued in Part 2 below…)

(…continued from above)

1. Start Immuplex from Standard Process, add one capsule to her food two times daily. (Open capsule and sprinkle into her food.) It is available on Amazon.com

2. OrthoMolecular Specialties, Mega C Powder, add 1/8 tsp to food two times daily.

3. Add 500 mg Omega 3 fish oil for dogs to her diet daily.

4. No more vaccinations. You may need an exemption form from a holistic veterinarian to exempt her from vaccinations. And she will need some homeopathic remedies from a holistic veterinarian.

5. Use Bach flower essences to balance her emotions: homesickness, jealousy, getting used to a change with a new puppy…etc. Get a 2oz dropper bottle and add 10 drops Rescue Remedy, and 5 drops each of Honeysuckle, Holly, and Walnut. Fill the bottle with Spring Water, and give her 1/2 dropperful by mouth 2 times daily for the next 3 weeks, and then in the evening some extra doses as needed.

6. Try Aloe vera juice (the kind you drink), and put some into a pump spray bottle to spray onto her upper lips and chin to help give her some relief.

Take care,
Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

DISCLAIMER: The above should never replace the advice of your local veterinarian, as they have the ability to evaluate your dog in person.

Related Pages:
– Dog Skin Conditions,
– Dog Itchy Skin,
– Dog Skin Rash,
– Dog Skin Allergies,
– Ask a Vet Online Library – Dog Skin Rashes, Marks, Spots, Lesions & Patches (including itchy skin and mange) Section,
– Ask a Vet Online Library – Dog Hair Loss Section
– Ask a Vet Online Library – Dog Mouth, Teeth & Gums Section