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I’ve never come across it myself. A friend of mine, has a young dog she grooms that had strangles as a very young pup. He’s made a full recovery and now looks it great condition, by sight you would never think he’d had such a illness. I hope your boy has very a speedy recovery!
 
I am so so sorry that you and your pup are going thru this. I never have seen it but I understand it is considered an auto-immune disorder.. From what I have read prednisone along with antibiotics are used. While they do not know if it could be hereditary, often other littermates may also have the condition. Lack of interest and low mood , poor appetite, are all symptoms also in addition to what you described with the swelling and lesions. Did you pup come with any pet insurance? Many breeders do include a free month or so, and what does the breeder say? I'm curious .
Always sleeping. The first day I brought him home he would only
be active for 2 hours in an entire 24 hour period.
...while puppies do sleep a lot, this is not normal, puppies are active and want to play and should act happy go lucky running around till they tire and plop down for a rest. Most of my dogs always wanted to play until I crated them just so they would settle down. To me it seems like he already was developing this condition prior to you getting him. But I'm no expert on that matter so.. In any case I am glad you have him and that he is getting care and as you said that he is not getting worse. It sounds like a pretty bad case and I hope he recovers soon. I hope you will keep us posted. I know its an unusual condition but it helps us all learn more.
 
Discussion starter · #23 ·
I am so so sorry that you and your pup are going thru this. I never have seen it but I understand it is considered an auto-immune disorder.. From what I have read prednisone along with antibiotics are used. While they do not know if it could be hereditary, often other littermates may also have the condition. Lack of interest and low mood , poor appetite, are all symptoms also in addition to what you described with the swelling and lesions. Did you pup come with any pet insurance? Many breeders do include a free month or so, and what does the breeder say? I'm curious .
Always sleeping. The first day I brought him home he would only
be active for 2 hours in an entire 24 hour period.
...while puppies do sleep a lot, this is not normal, puppies are active and want to play and should act happy go lucky running around till they tire and plop down for a rest. Most of my dogs always wanted to play until I crated them just so they would settle down. To me it seems like he already was developing this condition prior to you getting him. But I'm no expert on that matter so.. In any case I am glad you have him and that he is getting care and as you said that he is not getting worse. It sounds like a pretty bad case and I hope he recovers soon. I hope you will keep us posted. I know its an unusual condition but it helps us all learn more.
I have contacted the breeder but there was no health guarantee signed. Crazy on my part.
She has contacted me back but was not aware he was sick and has not heard from of any of the 11 other puppies being sick. I haven't heard back from breeder since I let them know of his illness.
I too believe he had it before I brought him home because he was sleeping a lot from day 1.
From day 1 he was always scratching his ears and shaking his head and rubbing his head on the ground so my vet treated him for ear infection.
He seemed only a little better and wanted to play for the first 3 days of having his ear medicine that the dr
put in his ear.
But 3 days later he was worse. In fact we had to wake him to get him to eat.
I've had dogs my entire life - all different breeds - and never heard of strangles.
I've never had a sick puppy either.
Just like you said puppies should play until they wear out.
I even bought new toys thinking that's what he needed.
Just wish he would have had the treatment 2 weeks earlier from the start.
We've had him for 2 weeks now. He is taking prednisone and antibiotic for his wounds.
It was the first time this breeder had puppies so I'm sure she was not aware but I am out of luck
as far as guarantee goes.
We love him and he is used to us so I will not give up.
I just know it's going to be a long haul.
 
Juvenile Cellulitis (Puppy Strangles) Here's some information I found about it from the VCA hospital. The treatment is the right call. It's so hard having your puppy get sick. Old timers around here remember when Noelle got a parvo-like illness as a puppy. Keep sending messages. We're a supportive bunch. You're not alone. We're right here.
 
I remember one case of puppy strangles, years ago. Cutest little Border Terrier. That poor thing had it so bad he couldn't eat. He had to be put on IV fluids for dehydration, and we had to syringe feed him with a semi-liquid diet. As far as I recall, once he had been treated he lived a normal and healthy life.
I think I remember a Golden puppy as well that was able to be treated at home, like your pup. One of the difficulties of course is that it's diagnosed by ruling out any other diseases with similar symptoms.
It's definitely pretty rare, and totally sucks for him and you. 😥
 
Discussion starter · #26 ·
I’m not a vet but I’m pretty sure it’s strangles as many articles and video’s I’ve seen since vet told me . Should change his name now to crusty as that are on his eyes , mouth . Ears, belly , and probably other places
 
Had a pup that went through strangles, started at 10 weeks. It is awful and you feel terrible that your puppy is going through it. Prednisone and antibiotics are the only thing that you can do, besides warm compresses on the sores. Our pup fought it for a good six weeks. He is recovered and fine now. His sores healed and he only has a little scarring under his chin but it's not noticable, even with his shaved face. We were very worried but he is fine. Don't be harsh on your potty training, when they are on prednisone they urinate a lot and sometimes uncontrolled. It also makes them thirsty all the time and sometimes keeps them from sleeping well. Once the lymph nodes in the neck shrink back down to normal and the high temperatures are gone, you should be on the road to healing.
 
Discussion starter · #29 ·
How long ago Did you go through this with your puppy ? Yes I do feel so bad that I cannot help him he is miserable although he is improving last night was the most active he’s ever been and I do think he starting to dry up although he still losing it’s not as much as it has been before Yes I do feel so bad that I cannot help him he is miserable although he is improving last night was the most active he’s ever been and I do think he starting to dry up although he still losing it’s not as much as it has been before. He has lost the hair around his eyes and I think the crust is why it’s holding the hair onto his muzzle that stuff is like super glue in their hair I’m wondering how it will come off does it fade off ? He is so smart I don’t have any issues with having accidents in the house no worries they’re trying to spoil him because I don’t want him to die . it’s nice to hear from someone who has actually gone through it six weeks for your puppy that’s about four more weeks for me. Can I ask if you remember did your puppy have an odor from the discharge ?
?
 
Yes. it lasted about 6 wks for us, we were on it within a week. First we thought he had eye infection, but by end of week we had correct prednisone and antibiotics. Yes the discharge can stink. Just keep cleaning the crusty stuff gently. Keep him hydrated and give wet food. Keep him engaged and loved. Our pup sometimes looked like he was improving , then in two days looked awful with more puss. Don’t give up, keep medicine at same time each day. He will come through okay. Don’t get too stressed, he will turn out to be a sweet pup that is good about having his face and ears messed with. Stay positive.
 
So sorry your puppy is going through this. I remember recently one of Stonnie Dennis' videos on youtube was about a puppy that had strangles when young that he was working with for remedial socialization and training. You might enjoy.

 
Discussion starter · #34 ·
7 mos. can’t even tell.
Omg thank you for all of this information and thank you for showing me photos of your pop to . Yesterday the hair started falling off around his muzzle and eyes that the crust was holding in place very sad he’s actually more active yesterday than he has been since I’ve had him at my house since we brought him home from the breeder he has kept his appetite very lucky for that and get advice on the medicine I do give it at the same time every day he is getting spoiled we do love him I just hate this disease
,
I’ve also tried contacting the breeder and she hasn’t gotten back with me I think she’s in denial she could’ve had a sick pop and I did not sign a health agreement
I’m going to post new pictures next week
 
Dear Comets mom,
All of the time/attention/loving that you are giving this sweet baby is priceless. We know 2 people who had extremely sick puppies (different illness), and I swear that the extra TLC created such a bond. The dogs are healthy now, and there really is something special between the parents/dogs who needed extra care at the start.
Keep that in mind when the going gets tough- you’re building an awesome foundation for life with Comet.
 
Discussion starter · #36 ·
Thank you for your kind words.
Today makes the 10th day of Prednisone 10mg once daily. He is also on antibiotics for the same amount of time.
He is 10 weeks old and weighs 10 pounds.
Three days ago he was given pain medicine to cope.
The pain medicine was supposed to make him sleepy but in fact....
Two days ago he woke from his coma - so to speak.
Three days ago I noticed
He is finding new places to hide and sleep in the house.
At first I thought he was just hiding from me so not to give him his medicine.
But then two days ago he actually wanted to play and stayed awake for about 4 hours in a 24 hour period.
An improvement for sure.
He is drying up. Before when you touched under his chin, muzzle, or ears it was incredibly wet just
like getting out of the shower.
Today only the inside of his ears are still oozing.
So with that he is now loosing his hair.
The crust was holding his hair in place around his eyes, muzzle, and ears.
Now that he is drying - his hair is falling off and I find pieces of his hair around the house
and sometime hanging onto his face you can pull off from the crusties.
Here is a photo taken yesterday.
Yesterday he was awake for about 6 hours in a 24 hours day
and he actually was running and chasing my children.
Only for about 20 minutes.
He is not at the level he should be but a major improvement.

He gets lots of love and attention for sure.
Would love to hear him bark or growl.
468439
 
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