Help please. Juvenile cellulitis, puppy strangles

[Tad]

Hi. Im new to here and reaching out for anyone with experience of puppy strangle.
Our 10wk Mini American Shepherd is in an awful state. With stolen face, oozing ears and muzzle, enormous lymph nodes in the neck that have ruptured through the skin and weep continually. he's been on antibiotics for 7 days and steroids for 5 days but is worse than ever. it seems to be an auto immune disease but little is known and I can't find any cases as bad as his on an internet search.
Any help most gratefully received.

 

[JoanneF]

I'm sorry to hear about your puppy, the best advice I have is to be guided by your vet. While it isn't contagious, you should tell the breeder because it can be hereditary.

 

[Tad]

I'm sorry to hear about your puppy, the best advice I have is to be guided by your vet. While it isn't contagious, you should tell the breeder because it can be hereditary.

Breeder is aware, one other case in the past. The vets diagnosed it on the second visit but no real experience of it.

 

[JudyN]

I'm so sorry to hear that - it must be devastating Is your vet able to refer you to a specialist?

 

[Tad]

Our next vet appointment is on Monday. However he has new lesions opening on his neck and in constant pain poor thing.

 

[Feverfew]

I'm sorry to hear that - you have been very unfortunate as it's extremely rare.
The name is a bit misleading, because in horses, strangles is a bacterial infection and is highly contagious, but if your vet has diagnosed juvenile cellulitis, that is not contagious.
Most cases do respond to antibiotics and steroids. You say the breeder has already had one case, which is worrying because it is so rare. I sincerely hope the breeder is not breeding from dogs who have it as it is thought to have a strong genetic component. Don't get any ideas about breeding from your dog either - that would be a big risk. Good luck - I do hope he recovers, it is a very unpleasant and distressing disease for dog and owner alike.