Before I continue with the essence and important focus of this ailment, allow me to make a few observations.
As I might have previously written, each professional discipline has its own (well-guarded?) terminologies. For example, “used cars” seems too banal a description for sellers of used cars to peddle their vehicles. Instead, the jalopies become “previously owned mobile units”. Hospitals are now being called “wellness centres”. Nuclear bombs have been nicened–up, and are now being described as “sunshine units”. Poverty stricken people are now “economically disadvantaged”. And, of course, there are no longer “ugly people”; rather, such persons are suffering from “severe appearance deficits”. Product marketers use such euphemisms all the time.
Political motivations will not be left out of these ameliorative descriptions. Freedom Fighters – whether Arafat or Mandela – had been dubbed Islamo-Fascists and Terrorists respectively. Doctors and their illegible prescriptions, lawyers and their manoeuvering of the English language – often falling back on Latin phrases – make their arguments supposedly more palatable, convincing and acceptable. For example, the seizing of a poor person’s land is based on “the conjointly codifying and importing into our local jurisprudence the concept of eminent domain”. We veterinarians can top that!
Returning to today’s topic of “Puppy Strangles”, the correct name for this ailment is “Juvenile Sterile Granulomatous Dermatitis and Lymphadenitis”. Well, dear readers, we are not in the business of kerfuffling. The “Pet Care” column serves, as its sole function, to identify arising problems while caring for our pets, and offering simple solutions to ease/cure the ailment-associated discomforts.
So, let us now have a look at the frequently asked questions (FAQ) related to today’s ailment.
Q: What is Puppy Strangles?
A: It is a skin disease (dermatitis) of the face, ear flaps and lower jaw in puppies (usually between three weeks and 4 months of age). One or more puppy in a litter may be affected. I should note that I have observed the condition in young adults as well.
Q: What are the causes of Strangles?
A: The causes identified by researchers are questionable and unconvincing – enough so, for me to answer with: “unknown”. However, since lesions found on the face are sterile when examined in the laboratory, and the ailment responds well to anti-inflammatory steroids. Practitioners therefore believe that there is an initial and even more deep–seated dysfunction in the pup’s immune system.
If the lab culture reveals evidence of an infection, it is believed that much infection is secondary, and not the primary cause of Strangles.
It is not uncommon for the caregiver and even breeder to confuse Strangles with other ailments, such as Demodectic Mange or a reaction to a range of drugs and other chemicals. It is relatively easy to dispense with such suggestions – not lastly, via laboratory tests and questioning the caregiver about recent applications of the chemical agent(s) and dosage levels of these chemicals.
Beautiful pit bull in a sandbox at a canine enrichment boarding and training facility
Q: What are the symptoms?
A: The caregiver first notices a swollen face, which often includes the eyelids and muzzle. Papules/pustules (small bumps on the facial skin, often containing pus, if infected) are clearly visible. Actually, the condition begins to resemble a blister. When the ailment spreads to the ear flaps and the bottom jaw, these areas also become swollen and contain fluids (edema).
This is a fast-moving ailment. Within 48 hours, the small pumps (vesicles) on the face begin to merge together into one swollen mass of tissue around the eye, muzzle, lips and ears. These lesions then begin to exude a sticky fluid (firstly clear, and later with pus, as an infection with germs emerges). At this point, the skin of the face and ears become painful to the touch. Strangely, there is not usually much of the itch/scratch cycle to be seen at the beginning of strangles.
I should mention concomitant symptoms. 50% of the affected puppies are listless; they are emaciated; they are not eating/ nursing well (or not at all); they have a fever; some of them exhibit mobility problems.
Please note that these latter symptoms are all inconvenient findings, and not specifically causes of Strangles, and are not always present.
Q: What is the treatment?
A: Early and aggressive treatment with steroids and antibiotics (for secondary infections) seem to give the best results. This therapeutic intervention must be under supervision of the caregiver’s veterinarian. Supportive treatment will include warm water baths to remove crust and discharge from the affected areas. Your vet may introduce topical astringent solutions.
Q: Are any particular breeds more vulnerable to Strangles?
A: Over the years – irrespective of the continent – I have encountered Puppy Strangles in pretty much all breeds. However, the North American literature suggests that predisposed breeds include Golden Retrievers, Labradors, Dachshunds, Lhasa Apsos and, yes, mixed breed puppies as well.
