Puppy Strangles

[Amber Rishavy]

Hi Everyone! 

 

I'm new to this forum, but wanted to share my experience with Drake (my Doodle) and his diagnosis of Puppy Strangles. 

 

First off, I'm a nurse...an ER nurse, so when three days after taking my 7 week old Doodle home I felt his enlarged submandibular lymph nodes (the ones in his neck) I knew something was wrong. I brought him to the vet immediately, but since this was a non-specific finding (not accompanied by fever, facial swelling or cellulitis), it was a watchful waiting situation. The very next day he sprouted weeping sores all over his muzzle and around his eyes. Unfortunately the vets office was closed so I had to take him to the Emergency Vet at the U of M. The diagnosis...Puppy Strangles. The power of google had told me the combination of swollen lymph nodes and the weeping sores meant get treatment NOW. It's a potentially fatal condition if aggressive therapy is not started immediately. At a whole 5 pounds, he was started on corticosteroids (Prednisone) and antibiotics twice daily. There were several Vets that came in to see him during his visit as Puppy Strangles is an exceedingly rare condition. Antibiotics were started merely as a prophylaxis against infection, which is can be fatal.

 

After a week of treatment, the sores started to subside and he seemed to be doing well....off to the vet for his check up and shots. At this point we had already started to taper his Prednisone, but low an behold 1 day after getting his immunizations the sores were back with a vengeance and even worse than before. Another visit to the vet and he was put on high dose Prednisone with an indefinite end date determined by the complete healing of his sores. This genuinely leads me to believe that the immunizations that were given to him by the breeder right before we left with him and his second set given by the Vet were the catalyst for this genetic disorder to rear it's ugly head.

 

My poor puppy, so sore, lethargic, miserable and now having to be on a medication that makes him excessively thirsty and hungry, not to mention suppressing his immune system making it unsafe to be in the presence of other dogs or places that he could get into something that would make him sick. No immunizations again until he turns one either. 

 

It's been a long road and now at 5 months we are finally starting to taper his Prednisone. His Vet had suggested that he be on it a month past the complete healing of his sores to ensure no relapse. Praying that we are done with having to give him medication 4 times a day and that he can finally have a "normal" puppyhood. :)

 

P.S. I did send an email to the breeder regarding his condition and the concern for others in the litter to also carry the gene, but received no response. Minnesota (as well as other states) has a "Puppy Lemon Law", but due to lack of time and money, I have chosen not to pursue any recourse from the breeder.

 

 

[F, Calla & Luca]

I'm really sorry your pup and you went through this. It's good you posted to alert others. The lack of response from your breeder is appalling. I hope Drake continues to improve and thrive.

[Amber Rishavy]

Thanks. It's been rough, but he soooo worth it. :)

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Sorry your pup had this problem. Thanks for posting about your experience. We've had a few other members here whose pups have had Juvenile Cellulitis (Puppy Strangles). Here's one discussion:

http://www.doodlekisses.com/group/healthandmedicalissues/forum/topi...

 

[Amber Rishavy]

Thanks for the link. Ironic how the stories are so similar. :)

 

[Southern Charm Presley]

I can't believe you have not gotten a response from your breeder!  I am forwarding this to my

breeder who is amazing!!!  I am so sorry you have gone through this ordeal. Hope Drake is getting

better each day. 

[Amber Rishavy]

Thanks! I know, it's terrible. I had a bad feeling about him to start with...I should've known. Oh well. I have an awesome dog and that's what matters. So what if I've bought him twice over, he's worth it. ;)

[sherrie west]

Hi! I know what you are going thru. We adopted two puppies last year and one,Scrappie, got Puppy Strangles. It was a very scary time! He had everything that Drake had,sores,etc......I was very happy when a couple of months later all of the fur on his face came back,plus no scares! He is now a very spunky, sometimes,pushy, puppy! Haha. So far we figure we have paid for him 3-4 times! Our breeder never responded to us either...... Would we do it all over again? You bet!! I would just be more cautious about the breeder...... I have learned so much from DK and all of the great people on here. Enjoy Drake!
It sounds like things are about over.....have a great doodle day! ;-)

[Amber Rishavy]

Thanks Sherrie! I'm hoping we are at the end, too. Been a tough few months (and very scary in the beginning). Like the vet said, Drake certainly knew how to pick his owner! Lol! Love him to pieces. :) Have a great weekend!

[2loqbxc1f3777]

Hi!  MY name is Carol Dean and I am a breeder who had a pup with Strangles started at 5 weeks old.  I am also an RN so will talk medical with you. :)

This is possibley auto immune not necessarily gentic...this also does NOT go away quickly and your vet obviously didn't know he should in no way give a vac to a pup with strangles since this drops their immune system and will rexaserbate the sysmtoms as you saw......He must be on steroids and high steriods for about 2-4 mos...with a gradual taper...also antiboitics....Neropredef is good for the ear leasons and is a powder.  Your  pup will need to have the sores cleansed I used betadine and peroxide which good .  This is very painful for the puppy and very smelly...It is also not contagious of something you pup got for another dog or place.  Reminds me of a bad case of Shingles...

 

My pup stayed with me for 4 mos and I let her go for 1/2 price since I was not sure what the long term outcome would be...for her...she is beautiful and now 5 years old never had another issue and the hair all grew back around her muzzel ext...She also has several abcess down her neck it was awful...

 

I am sorry your breeder is not responding..she should at very least be helping you with this ordeal...what did your health guarntee read?

 

Carol Dean

Southern Charm Labradoodles Atlanta Ga

[Amber Rishavy]

The health guarantee pretty much protects him from everything, but the Minnesota law states that breeders are to have dogs assessed by a vet for health issues prior to being sold and that assessment needs to accompany the dog when sold. I never received such papers. It's all so confusing and it would be such a nightmare dealing with it that I just can't handle the stress. The max amount of money I could recoup wouldn't be worth the effort ($800). I think this "breeder" is just a guy trying to make an extra buck and couldn't care less about the health of the puppies he's selling. Sad but true. Makes me sick. :(

[Stephanie and Jellybean]

A year ago our 8 week old puppy came to live with us. Within less than 1 week, she had puppy strangles. Our vet immediately put her on antibiotics, steroids, drops for her ears, and a topical spray. She delayed all vaccines for 8 months, until our puppy had fully recovered and was off all the steroids. This was one of the most stressful things to watch as the poor puppy was not herself for so long. The hair all grew back, including on her muzzle although one area on her thigh still seems to be a spot she will sometimes go back to and aggressively scratch at. The good news is that she fully recovered and finally got all caught up on her vaccines and puppy socialization. She is a sweet and loving dog, and one would never guess at her suffering in the beginning. When I contacted the breeder to alert her that other puppies from the litter could be affected, she just wrote back that she had had one other puppy from another litter who had come down with strangles under her care and it had fully recovered, that it was common, and my dog would recover. And never another word from her......

[Linda, Charlie Brown and Beau]

Amber ~ how is Drake doing?  Is he still in a cone?  If so, I hope he is now wearing a soft collar cone.  I saw the photo, and I just feel for you and your little guy.  Please keep us posted on his progress. Keeping fingers crossed that he is doing better.