Does anyone know about Puppy Strangles? - YorkieTalk.com Forums

Thor Kent · 08-13-2011, 02:23 PM

Need advice, we aado rescuing two Doxie pups. We will get them at 8 weeks so we still have two weeks to go. We go every week to see them and they are super cute. Last week one of the puppies was very sick and had been taken to the vet and put on antibiotics. His glads were huge and his face and neck were very swollen. I was so upset but we were told that the vet said it was a bacterial infection and pup would be fine. This week he does look just a little better but now has little open sores on his nose and mouth.
I started to research on line and found pictures of exactly what his pup looks like and the diagnosis is puppy strangles. He is now on 2 1/2 weeks of being sick and the vet has not given prednisone or similar med as stated on most of the info I found.
Should we walk away from this pup???? Are we asking for a life time of problem? What would you do?
Already heartbroken......

lillymae · 08-13-2011, 10:37 PM

Did the pups have vaccinations prior to the onset of this condition ? It sounds like an allergic reaction to something. Possibly aunts or bee stings.

Thor Kent · 08-14-2011, 04:04 AM

No shots, although I've heard people say sometimes it happens after the shots but not in this case. The rest of the puppies are fine just this one has it.
Seems like no one is familiar with it I've posted on different sites and yours has been the only response. Thank you

horsnaround · 08-14-2011, 06:55 AM

Never heard of puppies having it. Have had horses that have had it. And once it ran it's course in them they do just fine. Not sure how it would affect a dog though. Guess you could ask them to do blood work and check organs before you accept such puppy. The only thing is you know this puppy has been sick. The next person may not. That being said you would know if something came up later what this little one had been thru. It's a big decision. And could mean more vet bills. But then again it may never be sick again and the other puppy you get may have something down the road. There is no full kind of guarantee with any dog that they will never get sick. Good luck in your decision either way it's a life long commitment with either or both pups.

Farleys · 08-14-2011, 03:07 PM

hello, I am a veterinary technician, and yes i have seen puppy strangles, and its very sad. First thing is, if your veterinarian doesnt know its strangles you need to go to a a different vet. The longer a puppy goes without being diagnosed the worse it gets, and the worse for the puppy. If not caught early enough, and started on steroids the puppy could die. You need to talk to the vet about it. As for long term effects, i dont beleive thats a problem if they live through it. They can have scarring from the sores and not grow hair in those areas. But if it gets treatment and makes it through the strangles i would still take it home, but thats just me. Keep us updated please.

Thor Kent · 08-15-2011, 09:22 AM

Farleys mom thank you so much for your reply!
update: I accompanied the lady to the vet and took all my research found on the internet. The vet was not the one that had see the puppy before but she was familiar with the illness and immediately put him on the correct meds. I will go by tonight to see how he is doing. Vet said he is lucky because he is eating and drinking well and the intibiotics although not enough kept the swelling somewhat controlled.
Luckily I did not have to get into it with them I was armed with my findings and was ready for battle LOL.
I'm already attached to this pup guess we are keeping him good or bad!

Wonder how Thor is going to handle 2 puppies in the house since he is still a pup himself.

Farleys · 08-17-2011, 08:43 PM

Thanks for the update, im glad the vet knew what was going on. Good job looking it up on your own and finding it too, alot of people wouldnt have done that, I hope your little one does good, sounds like it is. Please keep us posted!!

08-13-2011, 02:23 PM	#1
Thor Kent Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Rockport Texas Posts: 122	Does anyone know about Puppy Strangles? Need advice, we aado rescuing two Doxie pups. We will get them at 8 weeks so we still have two weeks to go. We go every week to see them and they are super cute. Last week one of the puppies was very sick and had been taken to the vet and put on antibiotics. His glads were huge and his face and neck were very swollen. I was so upset but we were told that the vet said it was a bacterial infection and pup would be fine. This week he does look just a little better but now has little open sores on his nose and mouth. I started to research on line and found pictures of exactly what his pup looks like and the diagnosis is puppy strangles. He is now on 2 1/2 weeks of being sick and the vet has not given prednisone or similar med as stated on most of the info I found. Should we walk away from this pup???? Are we asking for a life time of problem? What would you do? Already heartbroken...... __________________ Nydia -- Thor's mommy

08-14-2011, 04:04 AM	#3
Thor Kent Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Rockport Texas Posts: 122	No shots, although I've heard people say sometimes it happens after the shots but not in this case. The rest of the puppies are fine just this one has it. Seems like no one is familiar with it I've posted on different sites and yours has been the only response. Thank you __________________ Nydia -- Thor's mommy

08-14-2011, 06:55 AM	#4
horsnaround ♥Trained by my pups♥ Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: with my yorkies Posts: 11,721 Blog Entries: 1	Never heard of puppies having it. Have had horses that have had it. And once it ran it's course in them they do just fine. Not sure how it would affect a dog though. Guess you could ask them to do blood work and check organs before you accept such puppy. The only thing is you know this puppy has been sick. The next person may not. That being said you would know if something came up later what this little one had been thru. It's a big decision. And could mean more vet bills. But then again it may never be sick again and the other puppy you get may have something down the road. There is no full kind of guarantee with any dog that they will never get sick. Good luck in your decision either way it's a life long commitment with either or both pups. __________________ loving life with my furry friends

08-15-2011, 09:22 AM	#6
Thor Kent Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Rockport Texas Posts: 122	Farleys mom thank you so much for your reply! update: I accompanied the lady to the vet and took all my research found on the internet. The vet was not the one that had see the puppy before but she was familiar with the illness and immediately put him on the correct meds. I will go by tonight to see how he is doing. Vet said he is lucky because he is eating and drinking well and the intibiotics although not enough kept the swelling somewhat controlled. Luckily I did not have to get into it with them I was armed with my findings and was ready for battle LOL. I'm already attached to this pup guess we are keeping him good or bad! Wonder how Thor is going to handle 2 puppies in the house since he is still a pup himself. __________________ Nydia -- Thor's mommy

08-13-2011, 10:37 PM	#2
lillymae YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Idaho Posts: 4,544	Did the pups have vaccinations prior to the onset of this condition ? It sounds like an allergic reaction to something. Possibly aunts or bee stings.

08-14-2011, 03:07 PM	#5
Farleys No Longer a Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Idaho Posts: 551	hello, I am a veterinary technician, and yes i have seen puppy strangles, and its very sad. First thing is, if your veterinarian doesnt know its strangles you need to go to a a different vet. The longer a puppy goes without being diagnosed the worse it gets, and the worse for the puppy. If not caught early enough, and started on steroids the puppy could die. You need to talk to the vet about it. As for long term effects, i dont beleive thats a problem if they live through it. They can have scarring from the sores and not grow hair in those areas. But if it gets treatment and makes it through the strangles i would still take it home, but thats just me. Keep us updated please.

08-17-2011, 08:43 PM	#7
Farleys No Longer a Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Idaho Posts: 551	Thanks for the update, im glad the vet knew what was going on. Good job looking it up on your own and finding it too, alot of people wouldnt have done that, I hope your little one does good, sounds like it is. Please keep us posted!!