Bulldogers Medicine Cabinet

There are many things you can have a home on hand to help care for your bulldog and handle many care issues at home. This list is brief and does not take the place of advice provided by your own family vet.  Please review this list with your vet prior to using any of the treatments.

Medications You Can Have at Home

• Antidiarrheal Tablets (Kaopectate) – Use to treat diarrhea and come under a number of brand and generic names:  Imodium, Kaopectate 1-D, Maalox Anti-Diarrheal, Pepto Diarrhea Control.
• Antiemetic (Pepto Bismol) - Use to control vomiting, upset stomachs and diarrhea.
• Cortaid or hydrocortisone cream –Use for controlling itching.
• Ascriptin (aspirin coated with Maalox) – (DO NOT give Tylenol or Advil!) – Use to relieve minor aches and pains due to injury or arthritis.
• Vitamin ‘E’ Oil Capsules – Use for dry noses and applied on built up wax in ears to loosen black wax.
• Desitin Cream – Use for minor skin irritations, keeping skin folds dry, and minor sunburn.
• Styptic Powder (Anticoagulant) – Use to stop bleeding caused by cutting into the quick when trimming nails.  In a pinch, you can use your own anti- perspiration spays or bar.
• Triple Antibiotic Ointment (Comes under many brand and generic names) – Use for minor scraps and cuts.  Not for use in the eyes or mouth.
• Hydrogen peroxide – Use to induce vomiting or as a general antiseptic cleanser.
• ReaLemon plastic lemon – Use to clear phlegm from the Bulldog’s throat and ease breathing. Squirt liberally into the back of throat.
• Cough medicine (Triaminic) - Use to control cough and as expectorant.  Find this in your child care section of the drug store.
• Robitussin DM, Benylin Expectorant (destromethorphan) or Siltussin DM (Silarx) - Look for products containing Guaifenesin (100mg) and Dextromethorphan. While these products are not approved for veterinary use by the FDA they are common practice in the veterinary community.
• Antiseptic Solution – Used for cleaning scrapes and minor wounds.
• Ophthalmic Ointment (non-steroid) – Used for eyes to clear up infections.
• Antihistamine (Benadryl) - Use for allergic reactions and bee/wasp stings.
• Eye Drops (Natural tears) – Simple straight forward eye drops to moisten the eyes and rinse out dust. No red eye or other specialty additives.
• Eyewash – Used to flush out eyes.
• Chlorhexadine Solutions – Used for cleansing wounds.
• Epsom Salts – Use as in a warm water soak for inter digital cysts (blisters between the toes)
• Listerine (brand or generic) for chine acne and inter digital cysts.
• Baby wipes for cleaning folds and tails, wiping chins, cleaning ears and quick wipe downs when you don’t have time for a regular bath.
• Apple Cider vinegar topical for hot spots; ingested for digestion and insect repellant. Use to wipe off ‘hot spots’ when one is starting.  A teaspoon a day in your bulldog’s water is recommended by many to aide with digestion.  Wiped on your dog’s fur it will help keep insects away from the bulldog too.

NOTE: Specific dosages have not been given here for several reasons. First, we are not veterinarians and do not have the right to prescribe medications or doses. Second, Bulldogs come in many different sizes and there is no way to assure correct dosage.

First Aid Equipment List

• Roll of 1″ first aid tape
• 2″-3″ gauze rolls
• Ace bandage.
• Blunt nose scissors
• Tefla pads
• Cotton balls
• Blanket
• Syringes (without needles) Used for the measuring and administering oral medications.
• Tweezers
• Rectal thermometer
• Nail trimmers or Dremmel grinder for toe nail trimming

Super handy to have:

• Wire fold down crate, even if not using it all the time – is a good place to let a bulldog recover after a short illness or when they need to be isolated at home.
• Extra leash, harnesses and collar incase your favorite one is lost.
• Copies of all your medical records and the name of your vet close on hand.
• The location of the closest 24 hour vet hospital and directions to it in case of an emergency.