The American Beagler Forum

I have a litter that is almost 3 wks old and 3 out of the 5 pups have these spots of dried puss looking stuff in their coat. Some more wide spread than others. It was there at a week old or so and I was thinking that the mother may get them cleaned up, but she hadn't so I brought them in last night and bathed them in dishwashing liquid to try to get it out, but it won't wash out either. I got it softened up a little and had to pull it out with the hair. Only got a small amount off of a couple of the pups. Anyone ever seen this or any idea what it might be? The skin looks normal where I pulled some of the hair out with the clumps of stuff though. Thinking maybe they had a skin allergy when they were first born or something. Thanks!!

What are you using for bedding?
Straw breaks down and needs to be changed often. That's when I've had the most trouble with skin problems is when using straw.
A bed of grass hay is hard to beat. You have to keep check on it though, puppies still tend to wet the bed and do their business thinking mama will still clean it up. At some point, she gets tired of the crap...and hopefully the puppies are going out of the box by then...

I had them on blankets on top of cardboard the first 2 weeks-when it started-since then I have moved them out to the whelping box where the mother can get out and stretch her legs in the kennel if need be and they are on a piece of very short nap carpet out there with a heat lamp. I was getting ready to put them on cedar chips since they are getting bigger and moving around better when I noticed that that stuff is still in their hair. Any tips on getting it out of their hair? It is really in there good. Had them in warm water for a good while last night trying to loosen it up, but it just won't come out. Thanks Patch!

you might have staph infection --clean with hydrogen peroxide---and apply antibiotic cream or ointment

Do not use straw,carpet,or cedar for bedding. Shred newspaper and use it for bedding.It will go away on its own.