I wrote in August about my puppy, the one who had developed juvenile cellulitis, also known as puppy strangles.  She was very correctly and very carefully treated by my vet, and a week ago today, she went to her new home.  The people waited patiently for her (6 weeks longer than they would have had to, had she not developed this problem) and were full-informed and kept up-to-date almost daily on her progress.  She was treated with the initial heavy dosage of steroid in conjunction with an antibiotic.  We then weaned her off the steroid very slowly, watching closely for recurring symptoms.  There were none.  She has now been off medication of any kind for three weeks, and no symptoms have manifested.  She is very happy in her new home, where a brother of hers (from a previous litter) has welcomed her with enthusiasm.  The people are over the moon!

One thing, though:  My vet has ordered that she not be vaccinated - at all - for one year.  The reasons are obvious.  Or in case they are not be obvious to everyone, it is that the problem involved an overreaction of the immune system - no one knows why - which had to be supressed by the cortisone treatment.  Since any vaccination activates the immune system, my vet feels it is best to wait a long time still before risking anything which could reactivate the problem.  I'd be interested to know how you would confront this situation.  What would you avoid, what would you risk doing with this puppy in her first year (until she is vaccinated).

Never having experienced this, I'd be guided by what the vet says (and take a second opinion, if uncertain about this advice).   However, if the puppy has a companion, and presumably he's being exercised off their property?, unless he can be taken somewhere completely away from where other dogs frequent (ditto for your shoes), she will be at risk until she can be vaccinated.  Difficult one.

And then there's what happens when she comes into season (if her companion is entire) because as I understand it, there is some hereditary connection with this.

Can they titre test her to see what immunity she has?
Really glad she is doing well now

Definitely do not vaccinate at the moment. Puppies immune systems need to develop fully & as vaccination stimulates the immune system JC could reoccur.

Please advise new owners to titre test before vaccination & of course, make their vet aware of her medical history.

Glad to hear she is now recovered.

Monitor disease prevalence in your area.

With majority of dogs vaccinated, herd immunity should protect her.

Many pups are unprotected until a year, as early vaccination will often be negated by maternal antibodies lasting beyond vaccination time.

Titre testing should at least show you where she is.

Many thanks for the kind replies.  Yes, I'm banking quite a lot on herd immunity, but not entirely, of course.  She will be spayed before her first heat, and this will be performed by my own vet.  He strongly recommended doing this, as apparently the surge of estrogen could trigger the immune system again.  Her people are completely onboard with all of the precautions and directions.  They don't want to risk anything.  But they are also sensible and will certainly not exaggerate.  And I trust my vet implicitly.

>Please advise new owners to titre test before vaccination & of course, make their vet aware of her medical history.

The owners have a complete medical history from my vet of what has happened and the treatment used and his recommendations about vaccinating, worming and so on.  They have given this document to the clinic to which they normally go.  They can also get in touch with my vet personally at any time.

Just a few little additional details:  Magnolia's new owners live about 2 hours away from me by car, near the Lac de Bienne (which is near the Lac de Neuchâtel).  I live near St. Gallen.  So it says a lot that they are willing to make the trip here to allow my own vet (who knows Magnolia so well) to spay her.  There are no children in the family.  Instead it involves twin sisters, 64 years old, one of them married to a very nice retiree, the other living around the corner.  Magnolia is with the unmarried sister, and her older brother is with the couple.  They see each other every day.  Each of these sisters had a coton de tulèar, both of which died recently of old age.