These sad looking pups begin
to have noticeable skin trouble at about five weeks of age. One
or more pups in a litter may be affected. What the veterinarian
sees at examination is usually a well fed, otherwise healthy pup that
has massively enlarged lymph nodes, swelling of the skin and often wet
oozing sores.
Marked swelling is
usually most pronounced around the head and neck and the ears (pinnas)
are thickened, scabs form and a thin fluid seeps from the pathologic
tissues. In some cases the skin will
crack open the swelling is so severe. The lymph nodes under the jaw
(submandibular lymph nodes) become extremely swollen and painful and
may actually drain to the skin surface.
Cultures of these open sores rarely indicate a bacterial component and
newer research seems to point to an immune dysfunction as the root
cause of the puppy’s uncomfortable medical condition. Since
bacterial origins seldom play a role, administering antibiotics rarely
has any effect on the condition. Instead, treatment
with Prednisone, an cortisone-like drug, works very well if given in
higher than usual 
doses for two weeks, then the
dose is tapered off as the dog matures and the condition
resolves. Sometimes dramatic improvement is noted after just a
few doses of the Prednisone.
Therapy also entails routine cleaning of the skin and hydrotherapy
where the pup is soaked in warm water with just a small amount of
antiseptic added. If a particular case seems to have a secondary
bacterial infection, which might be expected with such skin stress and
exudative material present on the skin, antibiotics may be needed to
assist resolution of the overall problem.
Fluid therapy and Vitamin administration may be helpful for pups that
are dehydrated and not eating well. And a high quality,
meat-based diet is indispensable in helping the pup to recover form
Juvenile Cellulitis. Almost all pups will recover but permanent
scarring, lack of hair production and pigment changes can be a reminder
of this nasty puppy skin disease.
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The above information is simply
informational. It's intent is not to replace the advice of a
veterinarian nor to assist you
in making a diagnosis of your pet. Please consult with your own
veterinarian for confirmation of any diagnosis. Your pets life may
depend on it.
