It's a rare skin condition that usually affects puppies between 3 weeks and 6 months of age. But it can also happen in older dogs. It's also called juvenile cellulitis or juvenile pyoderma. It's not contagious to other dogs or people. It can be life-threatening if not treated.
Any breed or breed mix can get it. But some seem more at risk. Those include golden retrievers, Gordon setters, Lhasa Apsos, Labrador retrievers, Weimaraners, Rhodesian ridgebacks, miniature poodles, Chesapeake Bay retrievers, English springer spaniels, Siberian huskies, beagles, pointers, Cairn terriers, and dachshunds.
What Causes Puppy Strangles?
The exact cause isn’t clear. But experts believe it's triggered by an autoimmune reaction.
What Do Puppy Strangles Look Like?
One of the first signs is a sudden and severe swelling of your pup's face. This may be followed by other symptoms. Their lips, ear flaps, or eyelids may become swollen, red, and irritated. Raised or pus-filled bumps or pimples may form on their skin. They can burst and crust over, which can cause scabbing. Swelling and bumps may spread to other parts of your pup's body if not treated right away.
You dog may also get swelling under their jaw. Lymph nodes on either side of their neck become tender and swollen. They may rupture and drain, leaving oozing tracks on your pup's skin.
Puppy strangles can also cause:
- Low energy levels
- Difficulty eating or appetite loss
- Fever
- Joint pain
- Depression
- Hair loss
If your dog has any of these symptoms, see your vet right away. Don't squeeze or pop the bumps or pimples. This could hurt your pet and cause permanent scarring.
How to Diagnose Puppy Strangles
Your vet will do tests to rule out other conditions, such as ringworm or mange (a skin disease caused by mites). Tests may include:
Cytology. They'll check any pimples or bumps on your pup for bacteria and surrounding skin damage.
Blood counts. This measures white blood cell counts (which can indicate if your puppy is sick).
Deep skin scrapings. This involves getting samples of your puppy's skin and examining them under a microscope.
A biopsy. They take a piece of a fresh lesion and have it examined in a lab.
They may take other tissue samples to test for other possible infections.
Treatment for Puppy Strangles
Because this condition is believed to affect your pup's immune system, treatment aims to stop the underlying autoimmune reaction.
How do you treat juvenile cellulitis in puppies?
The most common treatment includes high doses of oral corticosteroids (such as prednisone). Your dog may be thirstier and hungrier than usual while taking them. This will cause them to pee more than usual.
Ointments, medicated shampoos, and hot packs may help soothe their skin and pain. But use these only after your vet approves them.
If a secondary bacterial infection is found, your vet may prescribe antibiotics.
How long is the treatment for puppy strangles?
If your vet prescribes oral corticosteroids, your puppy will need to take them for several weeks while being monitored under professional care. They'll start with a high dosage and taper down. In most cases, your pup will recover in 10-14 days, but they'll feel better sooner than that. It'll take longer for lost hair to regrow, and sometimes it may not grow back.
Most cases of puppy strangles don't come back, but scarring can be permanent.
How to Prevent Puppy Strangles
There's no known way to prevent this condition. Your vet can check if your dog has an underlying immune system disorder and advise you on the best treatment if your puppy shows symptoms.
Takeaways
Puppy strangles is a rare skin condition in dogs, mostly seen in puppies aged 3 weeks to 6 months. It's not contagious to other animals or people. Its cause isn't known, but it's believed to be an autoimmune issue. If your puppy has symptoms, they need veterinary care immediately. The condition is curable, but it can be fatal if not treated. It doesn't usually come back after your pup recovers. Sometimes, the hair loss and scarring are permanent.
Puppy Strangles FAQs
Can puppy strangles spread?
Lesions may spread to other parts of your pup's body, but they aren't contagious to other animals or people.
Do puppies fully recover from puppy strangles disease?
Yes. But hair loss or scarring may be lasting.
Is there a homemade antibiotic for dogs to treat puppy strangles?
No.
How long do strangles last?
It's usually cured in 10-14 days. But with treatment, your pup will likely feel better sooner than that.
