Puppy Head Gland Disease

by Georgia Lawrence

A recent article in Dog World prompted me to recall my own experience with this disease, which correct name is Juvenile Cellulitis. About 12 years ago a puppy that I bred suffered from this. It started when the puppy was about four weeks old and the first sign of it was a very tiny spot (stye) on the lower eyelid, which my vet dismissed as not very important but thought I should just watch it over the next two or three days. Over the next few days another spot appeared along with a couple of slightly raised bumps along the muzzle and under the chin. A little swelling of the whole head was starting to become apparent at this stage. Back to the vet who was not sure what it was but gave her antibiotics anyway.

Tahnee at  5 weeks old

The pups head and muzzle continued to swell and by the time she was six weeks it looked quite big for her small body, she had been quite foxy and feminine previously, which served to underlined the difference. The hair on the bumps fell away to reveal suppurating sores and I was given an antibacterial wash for these. Interestingly, the puppy continued to be happy in her demeanour and although, because of the swelling, it was a little difficult for her when eating, her appetite was not affected. She did not seem to suffer any pain even when she bumped into things! It was actually my husband who discovered what this affliction was by looking through a canine medical book. Armed with the book we went back to the vet, who said the antibiotics he gave us should work for this.

Tahnee at 5 weeks - side view

The treatment did in fact help to slow it down and eventually clear it up about four weeks later but not before the puppy was left scarred, as you can hopefully see from the photo of her at ten weeks old. Through the passing of time the bald patches did cover a little more with hair but the scarring was still noticeable for the rest of her life. Having learned more about the disease it would seem that the first few days when I found the stye were crucial and if she had been started on antibiotics immediately the scarring would have been very minimal or not at all. Some vets will prescribe steroids as well, weaning the puppy off them very gradually later.

Tahnee at 10 weeks old

The cause of the disease is not known for sure but is thought to be a sort of breakdown in the immune system and some breeds are more prone to it than others. I have no idea how prevalent it is in Siberian Huskies but the fact that I have never seen or heard of another case in our breed before or since may indicate that it is extremely uncommon, thankfully!