Posted: Tue Nov 15, 2011 7:18 pm Post subject: Possible problem with prospective pup
I am concerned about bald scabby noses and eye rims at only 5 weeks old, I connect that look with a pup that has contracted sarcoptic mange, but these are well reared pups and the breeder does not seem worried about it.
Are chocolate pups prone to skin problems at this age - or should I be concerned that there is an underlying problem there?
I don't know about the scabby nose, but my Bran always had bald eye rims as a pup. My vet did warn us to keep an eye on it in case it was mange, but he eventually just grew out of it. I'll see if I can find a photo so that you can compare
This was taken on his second day with us and he was 12 weeks old then
____________ Sarah and Bran
Always watched over with love by our angel, Flora, from Rainbow Bridge
Bran Training
The first year is always touch and go with pups, since their immune system artillery isn't fully armed enough yet.. Aero, our 1 year old chocolate, had a goopy eye issue that took with homeopathics a good month or two to finally resolve itself.. I also recently noticed some 'balding' around his eyes, which seemed to crop up around a month or so ago, particularly beside the left one.. I haven't noticed him scratching or rubbing the area.. Our vet did a skin scrape last week since I thought it might be demodectic and wanted to be sure.. Vet doesn't believe it is - haven't received the results yet..
Cappellee these things are usually immuno related, i.e., most dogs have the mite - even WE carry the mange mite in our eyebrows and eyelashes (eww gross I know haha..).. but what keeps them at bay is having an immune system strong enough to keep them from overtaking and wrecking havoc.. Puppies are still so susceptible to the evils lurking menacingly in the environment - that why it's so important to feed a healthy, raw diet, follow low vaccine protocols, and keep them fit and active...
Here's a pic I took of Aero on his bday a couple of weeks ago - you can see the 'balding' a little beside his left eye..
I'm glad I joined this forum! It's good to know other people have had similar issues with their chocolates - my yellow has had her own set of issues (HD, torn CCL, etc.), but neven any skin/eye issues like AEro has had...
CJ tends to look like he has bald eye rims quie a bit, never too sure if its my eyes or the light, he`s 7 now and I`ve noticed on and off, never any problems with him, the scabby nose is a different thing though, he`s never had one and I don`t think its normal for any pup to have one let alone a choccy.
TBH I would be worried about the combination of scabby noses AND bald eye rims. A tiny pup should never have a scabby anything. My first guide dog pup came down with something called Puppy Strangles which is a horrible auto immune disease where they end up with a scabby face and bald eye rims. He became incredibly poorly and it was very touch and go for a while. Im not saying this pup has this, but its something that I would be off to the vets for at the first opportunity if any pup of mine had this.
If there is ANYTHING about this litter you arent sure of then walk away, you will have your dog for upwards of 10 years, you have to make sure that you start off in the right way.
Puppy Strangles or Puppy Head Gland, correct name Juvenile Cellulitis. Yes the age is about right, but with that the puppy is, or very shortly will be very poorly. A friend of mine had one in a litter she bred. Interesting that with the bad start in life it had it became a Field Trials winner!
Yes it could be demodectic mange, or sarcoptic mange, but I'm not happy about the scabby nose.
Remember, if it is demodectic mange then you should never breed from the pup and the dam should also never be bred from again. And that warning also applies to Juvenile Cellulitis. Both of these are linked to a depressed autoimmune system.
Thank you so much for all the replies and pics, I did wonder if it was a problem with the colouring which gave them a more sensitive skin. I know thie is true in dobes.
I'm very experienced in another breed and much more used to looking at pups of that breed, where anything like that on a pup would be an immediate worry - but seeing those other bald eye rims I am less worried.
I am torn as to whether to say something to the breeders, as I feel it would be a good idea to get all the litter checked out to save any comeback on them if there is a problem, but I don't want to worry them if it is just that I am not used to seeing choc lab pups!
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Possible problem with prospective pup
