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If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Original poster

puppy strangles/cellulitis

22 replies

TrueToYou · 20/02/2014 18:30

Hello, I have posted in AIBU for traffic but have only had one response so far, so thought I'd try the specialist thread group :)

Hi, does anyone have any experience of puppy strangles?

We are buying an English Springer Spaniel pup at 8 weeks, and have just been told he has this. (he is 8 weeks old this weekend so still with his mum)
I've quickly googled at work, but I just wondered if anyone could share their experiences here, eg does it mean he has a reduced immune system? Are we going to be at the vets every month with him picking up viruses?
What's the prognosis? Once he's had his dose of antiB's and steroids, will it never return?

I'm so worried in case it means he will be weak and vulnerable and cause me and the DCs unutterable heartache. sad

Please someone reassure me! Thanks

TIA!

OP posts:
bakingtins · 20/02/2014 19:00

It's not common. It's potentially very serious, dependent on how sick the pup is and whether they respond well to the steroids. Of the puppies that recover I'm not aware that they are more sickly long term but it is caused by a deficient/immature immune system so it's possible. I would not be taking the pup until you are sure it has turned the corner and that the breeder will be covering all vet bills for the foreseeable future related to the condition. If they are not prepared to do that, walk away. Any decent breeder would be saying the pup is not available until they are sure it has recovered.

Original poster
TrueToYou · 20/02/2014 19:20

Oh dear, that's not what they are saying. They've said he should still be ok to collect as agreed. Though they are seeing the vet in the morning, so I will see what they say then.
We've already fallen in love with him! Sad

OP posts:
Lonecatwithkitten · 20/02/2014 19:50

Like bakingtins the ones I have seen have recovered well and not gone on to have long term problems.
My dad breeds in a very small way and once had a puppy with strangles he keep the puppy until it had not needed antibiotics for two weeks and then sold it at a reduced rate. This is exactly what I would expect a responsible breeder to do,
Do you mind saying what breed the pup is?

Original poster
TrueToYou · 20/02/2014 20:21

English Springer Spaniel.
he's ready to be collected Friday, at 8 weeks, but I was collecting him Monday as I am away this weekend. The breeder has said he'll still be OK to collect on Monday as planned. Confused

OP posts:
PurpleRayne · 21/02/2014 12:33

Do you think this may be a possible puppy farmer, with a domestic 'front'? Are they a member of a national society, like the kennel club? Make sure you see all the vet paperwork. If you do collect Monday, then first stop your own vet for a check-over.

Floralnomad · 21/02/2014 12:58

Unless there is an overriding reason that you must have this particular puppy I would walk away and find another personally . I have no experience of strangles in pups but we had a Shetland pony with it and he went on to have numerous chest issues . Is it still a notifiable disease or is that just in horses?

Lonecatwithkitten · 21/02/2014 13:05

Floral it is actually a total different disease in puppies so not notifable.

NigellasDealer · 21/02/2014 13:07

would NOT pick up a puppy with 'strangles and cellulitis' although i only have exp of the equine versions of these, this is serious and highly contagious illness and possible death.

Floralnomad · 21/02/2014 13:20

Is it common in dogs then ?

Lonecatwithkitten · 21/02/2014 13:21

Puppy strangles is uncommon, it is not infectious puppy to puppy and is not the same as equine strangles. However, the puppy is unwell and imperfect and this is the reason pick up should be delayed or abandoned.

NigellasDealer · 21/02/2014 13:26

no it is not infectious it is contagious, that is why this breeder wants the puppy out quick, I bet.
cellulitis is life threatening

Floralnomad · 21/02/2014 14:50

What's the difference between infectious and contagious ( I'm a bit thick obviously) and is cellulitis the same as in humans ?

NigellasDealer · 21/02/2014 18:25

infectious is droplet borne eg if someone sneezes or coughs, the disease is borne through the air.
contagious is by touch, typically with horse strangles for example if a horse with strangles left some pus on the edge of a water bucket and that was touched and ingested by another animal.

NigellasDealer · 21/02/2014 18:26

not sure how similar cellutlities is to the human version but it is essentially life threatening in horses.

Lonecatwithkitten · 21/02/2014 19:26

Puppy strangles is neither infectious or contagious it is not the same as horse strangles.
Infectious and contagious actually have the same scientific meaning that they can be passed from person to person.

PurpleRayne · 21/02/2014 22:50

This is quite an accessible article: kmdvm.blogspot.co.uk/2013/06/puppy-strangles-skin-disease-of-puppies.html

Floralnomad · 24/02/2014 14:41

What did you decide to do OP ,are you a new puppy owner today ?

Original poster
TrueToYou · 13/03/2014 11:56

Hi flora, sorry for the delay in updating, yes, I am a very happy puppy owner :)
I had decided without a doubt that I could not let my heart rule my head on this occasion, and we take to see the breeder to tell him I would collect the pup only when he'd recovered and had a vets cert of health.
However, I managed to come home with a puppy, despite taking a friend with me to make sure didn't waver. I also deliberately didn't take any money to pay for him... Then I remembered bank transfers and mobile banking!

He's doing well, he's overcome the depression it would seem :) and is now on half a steroid Tablet Every other day, he is due to see vet next wed for his first jabs so will be ok to come on holiday in Wales at easter :)
He's so beautiful, I'd love to show you a pic - I'll see if I can upload

puppy strangles/cellulitis
OP posts:
Floralnomad · 13/03/2014 14:54

He looks gorgeous ,congratulations .

Mylittlepotofjoy · 13/03/2014 18:28

So not vaccinate him whilst he's on steroids and so soon. I have a fair bit of experience of this illness you can pm me if you want

wongadotmom · 14/03/2014 16:33

Awwww!
He is soooo cute!

Murphy21 · 21/07/2017 20:14

Hi I just picked up from breeder an English springer spaniel he has had puppy strangles and has been on medication. This is my second springer from this breeder the other darling has just died. This lovely is the great great grandson of my original springer. I feel worried now I have him home he has been on appropriate medication I'm told but will feel better when I get him to my own vet. He's only been home for a few hours and has lots of energy. I will be heartbroken if any this were to happen to him. He was born at the end of march. He has an appetite and plenty of energy. If anyone can help me settle my mind please let me know his head has a few marks where hair has gone due to lesions. Please help. Thank you

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