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3/25/05
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This condition can affect puppies from about 3 weeks of age to 16 weeks of age. Sometimes demodicosis and severe infections can cause similar signs. If skin scrapings are negative for Demodex mites and there are no signs of a widespread systemic infection other than the swollen lymph nodes, it is even more likely that this is juvenile cellulitis.
It takes a great leap of faith, but the only really good way to treat juvenile cellulitis is with the use of corticosteroids in combination with antibiotics. If corticosteroids are not used early in this disease permanent scarring of the affected areas can occur and if they are never used, death is not uncommon. The swelling of the lymph nodes cuts off the puppy's ability to breath, hence the common name of "puppy strangles".
It is really scary to use immunosuppressive medications in the face of what appears to be a really severe infection but it is essential IF the condition is in fact juvenile cellulitis. Diagnosis of this can be co
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Sussie
Whispering Pines K-9's
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3/25/05
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Sorry. Ran out of room. Will continue....
Diagnosis of this can be confirmed by skin biopsy but it is usually best to make an educated guess and hope for the best, since biopsy results usually take a while to get back.
Most puppies who are aggressively treated with appropriate corticosteroids and antibiotics will recover,but permanent hairloss on affected areas or scarring is not uncommon.
Good luck with this.
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Sussie
Whispering Pines K-9's
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6/17/05
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How is he doing? My puppy had strong steroids to even make a dent in the disorder. Antibotics don't work. See another vet if he is not getting better. It takes over 2 months to fully recover.
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Laurie
Dedmon Dachshund
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