A litter of 9 puppies, now 10 weeks, has a boy who was diagnosed with staph infection 4 weeks ago, and, well, he now has MRSA. He has been under Vet care the entire time and gotten the usual low level antibiotics and drops. Of course the infection now spread in 2 days from one spot atop muzzle to both eyes, ears and entire face. According to culture results, Vet is saying it is resistant to almost every antibiotic, is not contagious to other pups or humans, and seems best thing is to put puppy down.

Not to mention, pup was sold as "show prospect". These buyers are unaware of all this and are not taking the puppy for another month.

Has anyone ever encountered this in puppies? The puppy has been completely separated from littermates since first spot showed up 4 weeks ago. (thank goodness)Does anyone have any insight into the poor little guy's plight or future? Any advice I could give the litter owner?

Thanks for any info.............

It sounds a lot like Puppy Strangles. Is the puppy on steroids too? It sounds painful and I hope the best for your puppy. So sorry.

It definitely does sound like puppy strangles.

I just went through this (strangles) with a puppy from my last litter. The puppy was started on antibiotics and steroids. After several weeks the puppy made a complete recovery. During the whole time the puppy ate well and seemed to feel fine, thank goodness. I would start that baby on steroids.

I would seek a vet specialist before I put the little guy down. Seek a university. One must be careful before administrating Pred. It can lower the immune system and make infections worse.

I agree this sounds like Puppy Strangles. If a vet has not seen it before, it can be very easy to misdiagnose.

I concur with strangles. Assuming it is, the pup needs prednisone ASAP. Unfortunately, as for being a show prospect, it's likely that he will be to scarred to show - scars from strangles don't grow hair back.

Thanks for all replies.....thank god it is NOT one of mine, I have never experienced such a thing in 15 years, but I have a very closed breeding system....................anyway, the puppy was FINALLY placed on Prednisone and continued antibiotics. I did inform the breeder to talk to the "show home"...............what they do from there is up to them................seems like the poor little thing may be receiving correct treatment.......

I had a puppy with strangles several years ago who looked like she would be horribly scarred. I saw her a year later, and had no idea she was the same puppy. She was fully recovered, and not a mark on her face.I wish the best for this little pup.

Here's a useful link on MRSA..

http://antechdiagnostics.com/clients/antechNews/2008/apr08_01.htm

It is contagious to humans and other critters, but I would not consider euthanasia. Even though MRSA is resistant to penicillin derivatives(beta-lactams)it still has sensitivity to some sulfa drugs and other classes of antibiotics. You might recommend culture and sensitivity, if not already done, to the puppy family.Euthanasia, NO!
Best to you

new developments....puppies around 10 weeks, 3 waiting to go home....now a second affected puppy...now diagnosed as "strangles"......prednisone and antibiotics given..........my recommend was to tell EVERY puppy buyer and especially the "show home" who has no knowledge their pup is undergoing treatment(for the last 4 weeks!)......as per usual, Vet now says it is genetic and both parents should be culled from breeding. Mom had 2 previous litters without incident, she is 5, and dad from thoroughly known and heavily used lines never having this issue before in anything related, all thyroid tested for 4 generations as an aside.

This did pop up in first pup after breeder gave own vaccines.........hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

Autoimmune issue genetic? From what I have been able to read, seems jury is out.........

jeez!
your thoughts?

Very few vets with pet practices know anything about Puppy Strangles. It really troubles me when vets such as mentioned above make totally unsubstantiated diagnosis and unsuspecting, devoted pet owners follow their every lead.

Case in point: 4 wk old pup was taken into vet's with hard, swollen head and neck, not eating, lethargic. Vet diagnosed bug bite and gave a shot of pred. Puppy still ill the next morning. Back to another vet in same practice who immediately diagnosed PS. Meanwhile, 2 Springer puppies had just died due to same misdiagnosis from the earlier vet.

We need to stick together, share information and experiences and don't listen to everything a vet says when it's not their expertise. I am not slamming vets; just use common sense when such drastic suggestions like putting a puppy to sleep, spaying, neutering, what's genetic, what's not are suggested. Double check; get another opinion from someone who is knowledgeable in the appropriate field.

Thank doG my own vet is a breeder also!!!!