An adorable Pug came to see you for grooming. She snorts and wiggles, and you pop her into the bathtub and get to work. Like most smooth-coated breeds, it can feel like grooming this breed is a walk in the park. But wait! There's more to it than a simple wash and dry.
Breeds that have wrinkles as part of their charm require some extra care. Bulldogs (French and English), Shar Pei, Pugs, some Mastiffs, Dogue de Bordeaux, Bloodhounds, Bassett Hounds, and Pekingese, along with short-nosed breeds like Shih Tzu and some mixed breeds can all have folds and wrinkles that may require some special attention.
Where there are skin folds, there are dark, moist areas, and where there are dark, moist areas, there is sometimes an overgrowth of yeast and bacteria. Yeast and bacteria can create sore spots, hair loss, and foul odors.
Ideally, the pet owner will have a handle on caring for their pet's folds regularly (daily is best.) But if they don't, you may find swollen, red, hairless, and very sensitive areas when bathing and grooming that wrinkled pet. Fold dermatitis is common where creases are found.
For wrinkles anywhere on the body, getting them clean is the place to start. If you are working with facial wrinkles, using products that are not harsh on the eyes is a good choice. Tearless shampoos, or those made specifically for the face, are made with mild surfactants to help prevent eye irritation. Gently wash the wrinkles twice to clean them completely and then rinse thoroughly. A medicated anti-bacterial product may be used for irritated wrinkles that are not on the face.
After the bath, gently drying between the wrinkles is of utmost importance. Pat them with a towel, and continue to pat them with soft paper or cotton balls to remove as much moisture as possible.
For home care, you can recommend that people clean these troublesome areas daily with baby wipes that are alcohol and perfume-free or ask their veterinarian about chlorohexidine wipes, which are antiseptic and may help the skin to remain healthy. Their veterinarian may also suggest using medicated ointments if infection is present.
Being aware of potential problems with those cute folds is an important part of the grooming process when it comes to adorable, wrinkled pets.
