I had a puppy enquiry yesterday. This lady and her friend have put deposits down on pups and the breeder has called her to let her know that her puppy has strangles. He has said to her that she can either wait for her pup to get better or choose a different pup, she can't have her deposit back. Her friends pup has not developed the condition.

She is really confused about what to do - She definitely doesn't want her pup or one from the litter and is prepared to lose her deposit over it but her friend is adamant that he still wants to collect his puppy this weekend. I am under the impression that his pup could still develop the condition - Am I correct?

I've never had any experience of strangles so couldn't really advise her, she said she is trying her best to talk her friend out of it but is not doing very well.

Just wanted to be able to advise them really re whether the litter should be avoided all together, my gut instinct would be yes but like I said I've never had any experience of it.

Thanks in advance.

Some good info here: http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&A=2906&S=1
and here: https://www.vetconnect.com.au/5min/data/09920993.htm
it seems to be a condition where the immune system is over active and imunosuppressing drugs are needed. The condition generally resolves in 10 to 14 days and does not recur.

There are lots of other links here:http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&q=Puppy+Strangles&meta= including champdogs threads.

If the pups were ever intended for breeding then it would be best to walk away, as it would seem to have a hereditary predisposition.

I would seek advice from your veterinary surgeon as to the likelihood of it affecting litter-mates re the position of the deposit.  I'd as a breeder certainly would not feel comfortable retaining deposits if purchasers wished to back out in such circumstances.

Strangles is not contagious but its thought it is an auto-immune problem.  I think with a strong course of anti-biotics and steriods does help to clear it up.  I don't think recurrance is common either. 

I'd as a breeder certainly would not feel comfortable retaining deposits if purchasers wished to back out in such circumstances

Me neither, was really surprised when she told me that.