Any Information on Puppy Strangles

[Kristen Clemente]

I am brand new to this website and am looking for information on my new goldendoodle puppy, Duke. He is 9.5 weeks old, I've had him for one and half weeks now. He is the sweetest puppy, I couldn't be happier but last Sat. I took him to the emergency vet because he had a huge golf ball sized lump in his throat and was very lethargic. He was diagnosed with Puppy Strangles and put on steroids and antibiotics. His ears also were infected. The steroids seemed to help, he is much more more alert and eating and drinking well. He also seems to be completely potty-trained :).  However, this morning he had sores all along his nose that were oozing puss. They seem to be very painful, he cried when I tried to rinse his nose with warm water and he rubs his nose in the grass and whimpers.

 

I am wondering if anyone else has experienced this awful disease with their puppy and if so, how long it took for recovery. It breaks my heart to see Duke in such pain. My regular vet has changed the steroid treatment to full-strength for two weeks then slowly tapering off for two more weeks. I also have read online to treat with Glucosamine during steroids to help prevent long-term joint complications from the steroids. Does anyone have experience with this?

 

Thank you so much for any help and advice, this seems like a great website and I look forward to being a member of the community.

 

 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Here is some information about "puppy strangles", otherwise known as Juvenile Cellulitis. There have been a few mentions of it in the forum over the years, but i don't know if we have actually heard of a DK puppy who was diagnosed with it. You will want to contact your breeder, because it is believed that it may be hereditary. Golden Retrievers are one of the breeds that are predisposed to it.

http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=2+2101&aid=3442

http://www.marvistavet.com/html/body_puppy_strangles.html

Forget about glucosamine; one course of steroids is not going to cause long-term joint damage, and even if it did, the jury is still out on how effective glucosamine may be. The amounts that may possibly have a therapeutic effect are huge. Long term steroid use can cause lots of health problems, most of them far worse than joint damage. But the steroids are lifesavers when you are dealing with serious and potantially life-threatening illness, and as I said, it is extremely unlikely that one course of steroids is going to cause any lasting effects. My Jack has been on more courses of steroids than anyone can count, for a different disease, and at 5.5 years old, his joints are just fine.
Make sure your puppy has access to water at all times; the steroids will make him very thristy and you can expect more accidents than usual, as they also cause increased urination.
I hope Duke feels better soon and recovers quickly.

[F, Calla & Luca]

I agree with Karen and think the glucosamine is of no use here. I myself was on a six day course of steroids recently and they can be wonder drugs but side effects from long term use are problematic. Hoping for a quick recovery for your pup.

[Kristen Clemente]

Thank you for your reply, those websites were very helpful, I am going to ask the vet about soaking with the Burrow's solution, if it will relieve some of the pain. I did contact the breeder the very next morning and she was nice enough to pay for the emergency vet visit since I only had Duke for 3 days when this happened. Thank you also for your good wishes!

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

I am so sorry for your pup - and you - to have to go through this. At least the good news is it is treatable and non-recurring.

[Kristen Clemente]

Thank you very much for your concern, I am looking forward to his recovery!

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

It must be heartbreaking to watch your puppy go through this. I think it's great that you responded so quickly and got Duke to the emergency vet. Here's hoping that you're over the worst of it, and he'll start feeling better. Welcome to Doodle Kisses.

[Kristen Clemente]

Thank you! I am amazed how welcoming and helpful this community of "doodle-lovers" are, I am so happy to have found this site!

[Nancie & Gracie Doodle]

I am so sorry to hear about your poor little Duke. Such a baby to be going through so much. We all are so glad you responded so quickly to his distress and took him to the vet. DoodleKisses is the perfect place to go to for just about everything Doodle related and even not Doodle related. Soon you will be asking us about grooming, hair matting, food and all the other things that come up as your Doodle grows. We are all here for you and believe me, there is a wealth of information on this site. Some of our members actually know more than trainers and vets IMO. Good luck with Duke and keep us posted on his progress.

[shelly]

Awe... poor puppy! I have never heard of this! Hopefully the steroids will help! I'll be following to see how he's doing!