If you are reading this that means your puppy has swimmer puppy syndrome (pectus excavation), you suspect they have it or you want to prevent it.
If your puppy has swimmer puppy syndrome it is not your fault and you don’t have to panic because in this post I would teach you all you need to know to save your puppy from swimmer puppy syndrome.
What is swimmer puppy syndrome?
Swimmer puppy syndrome is a deformity that occurs in newborn puppies.
This deformity makes their hind legs and forelegs splay to the sides and it prevents them from walking or standing properly.
This deformity causes a restriction in their movement because they only move around by paddling their legs to the side.
Causes of swimmer puppy syndrome in puppies
One of the major causes of this syndrome is when newborn puppies are allowed to roll on flat surfaces.
Swimmer puppy syndrome can also be common in some breeds like the English bulldog, French bulldog, and small and dwarf breeds.
Swimmer puppy syndrome is also very common in big and fat puppies.
Symptoms of swimmer puppy syndrome
For newborn puppies, the normal position to sleep and nurse is on their sides. So, if you notice your puppy is continuously nursing and sleeping on their belly, you should be worried.
A flat chest is also a symptom of this syndrome.
Other symptoms may also include:
The puppy will be lethargic
Struggle for breath
Trouble with eating
Regurgitation of milk
Inability to walk after weeks
Treatments for swimmer puppy syndrome
If you are like me I am sure a lot might be going through your mind when you started to notice swimmer puppy syndrome like “would my puppy be able to work” and you would wonder if there is a cure.
There are different ways of correcting this syndrome and we would be looking through them.
Tape method for swimmer puppy syndrome
This method involves using tape preferably band-aid first aid tape to tape the two hind legs of the puppy to each other and the two fore legs also, to encourage them to raise their legs and chest.
The tape method is the most effective and works if done well.
Steps to use tape
Take the first leg and locate the area above the ankle but below the knee and tape it in such a way that there is still some part of the tape left out after taping the leg.
Repeat this for the second hind leg.
Use another tape to connect the parts of the tape left out in both parts of the leg.
Mat method
This involves making your puppy walk on a mat, the mat provides friction which would help your puppy raise their hind legs.
You must not use a mat, you could use something with traction.
You could also have your puppy’s legs taped together while they practice on the mat
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy sessions can be conducted for your swimmer puppy by your veterinarian.
The physiotherapy session would involve massaging your puppy’s full body which will include the head, the limbs, and the thorax.
Massages would also be given to the hips and digits of your puppy.
The digits, hind-leg joints, hip and hip joints would also undergo flexion and extension.
Wooden box method
This method involves creating a wooden box that is very long but narrow to prevent your puppy’s legs from splaying. like in the photo below
Put your puppy at one end and put a treat at the other end, this would encourage your puppy to go get the treat while walking properly.
Underwater treadmill therapy
In this method of correcting swimmer puppy syndrome, the dog is placed on a treadmill that is submerged in water and is made to walk on the treadmill.
I don’t suggest this method should be used as a major treatment for swimmer puppy syndrome but as an auxiliary treatment.
Harness for swimmer puppy syndrome
When a puppy has swimmer syndrome a harness is worn on the puppy to elevate its chest from the ground.
This would make it easier for your puppy to raise its legs while walking and it prevents direct contact between your puppy’s chest and the floor.
Constant contact between your puppy’s chest and the floor could cause it to develop pneumonia and other illnesses.
The HPETHF dog harness has really small sizes which might go well with your puppy. I suggest you check them out.
You could also make a harness for your puppy by cutting one side pvc pipe, adding holes for its forelegs, putting cotton wool between it, and wearing it on them.
Sock method
In this method, a sock is used to create a harness.
For this method, get a sock, cut holes where your puppy’s legs should be, wear the sock on your puppy, and use cotton wool or foam to stuff the chest area to elevate the chest area.
Nutrition
One of the ways you can help swimmer puppy is by making sure they are eating right so they don’t get overweight.
Swimmer puppies don’t move around much which means there is a higher chance of them getting overweight or obese.
When your puppy gets overweight, it becomes harder for their legs splaying legs to carry their body weight and this could increase the time it would take your puppy free from the syndrome.
my most trusted method among those i have explained is the tape method
How to prevent swimmer puppy syndrome
Do not allow newborn puppies to lay on flat surfaces, they could be kept on egg crates, towels, mats, or surfaces that have traction and can provide friction.
Doing this would help in elevating their legs and would encourage them to bring their legs in.
How to take care of a swimmer puppy
As a puppy parent with a swimmer puppy, it could be challenging but it is possible to overcome it which people have done.
I recommend you control your pup’s nursing and observe how their weight increases to avoid them getting overweight.
It would be hard to correct this syndrome in an overweight puppy.
You can aid your puppy to swallow and digest their food or milk by propping them after eating and to prevent regurgitation, I recommend you gently rub their stomach.
You should ensure to gently clean the place where your puppy rests, the inability of your puppy to move freely due to the state of their legs could cause your puppy to poop and urinate where it rests.
The presence of poop and urine where your puppy rests could lead to fecal and urinal scalding and also cause infection.
During walking exercises, you should be gentle and if you decide to give your puppy some massages, make sure to do it gently.
Swimmer puppy syndrome prognosis
The prognosis , when treated early, is high, the chance of survival reduces the more the puppy is left untreated.
Swimmer puppy syndrome long-term effect
If you start correcting your puppy’s swimmer syndrome early, there should not be any long-term effects.
Long-term effects could be bow legs and joint pains which could be treated too.
Frequently asked questions about swimmer puppy syndrome
Can swimmer puppy syndrome correct itself?
No, swimmer puppy syndrome cannot correct itself.
You should help your puppy correct it with the methods I have explained above.
Is swimmer puppy syndrome completely curable?
Yes, with the methods I have explained above, you can completely correct the syndrome in your puppy.
How long do swimmer puppies live?
Without any attempt to correct swimmer puppy syndrome in puppies, they would live between two weeks to two months.
If use one of the method i stated above to start correcting your, their legs would become normal and they would live healthily.
Conclusion
A lot of puppies die of puppy swimmer syndrome every year because the puppy’s parents think it would correct itself and some try methods that harm the puppy.
Share this post to save a puppy. You could share on Facebook groups or other places it might be helpful.
I also got some stories of puppies that overcame puppy syndrome. Watch the videos so you could be encouraged
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