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My French Bulldog puppy has rash, red eyes, and a cough. What's wrong?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | French Bulldog | Male | unneutered | 7 months and 29 days old | 15 lbs

My 8 month old French Bulldog has been breaking out in rashes and hives under his arm. His eyes are red and watery. He is also coughing/choking a lot. I have not exposed him to anything different recently. He eats Pedigree for puppies. The only thing I can think of is that I gave him a bath recently. I also cleaned my apartment with cleaning supplies, such as clorox. Also since his rash is under his arm, his sweaters can be another possibility. Please advise. Thank you.

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2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Ricardo Fernandez, DVM

Veterinarian, Veterinary Oncology Resident

Published on December 13th, 2017

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Well, he is quite adorable that's for sure. The skin amd eye issues could be due to allergies. However, while general allergies can cause a cough, this would be a bit unusual and other possible causes of coughing like pneumonia, bronchitis, and heart failure should be investigated. The coughing could also be due to pneumonitis secondary to exposure to the cleaning products. I recommend that you have Pacino evaluated by your veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. It really comes down to figuring out what is causing his allergies so that they can be treated or the specific allergen avoided. There are many things that can cause allergies though in most cases they can be broken down into 3 big categories: flea, food and environmental allergies. Allergies are usually worked up in a stepwise fashion starting with flea allergies as this is the easiest and cheapest to take care of. If not on a flea preventative, then it would be a good idea to get started on one. If already on one then it would be a good idea to change to something else (there are many new products out in the market). If not improved in 1-3 months then it is time to move on and check for food allergies by switching to a novel diet (new protein and new carbohydrate). If that does not seem to be the issue then you are left out having to check for environmental allergies which require blood and/or skin tests. Allergies can be very frustrating to deal with at first but so rewarding at the end when we are able to treat them effectively!

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    Answered By Lauren Kennedy, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on

    It looks as if your dog has a skin infection, most commonly caused by an allergy or fleas. The allergy could be a due to a protein in your dog’s food or an environmental allergy like to dust, pollens, grasses, etc. 

The allergy causes your dog to itch and chew at the skin which breaks down the skin barrier. This then leads to infection. Skin infections are typically characterized by large areas of redness, crusting, flaking, and pustules. 

 Your dog will most likely need antibiotics to help clear up the infection and possibly an allergy/anti-itch medication like Apoquel, Atopica, or Cytopoint to give some relief while the infection clears up. A medicated shampoo may be beneficial as well. I would also recommend he be on a good flea control routinely too. 

 I hope this helps. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Best of luck!

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