Swimmer Puppy Syndrome:Treatment & Management
Compiled & Edited by-Dr Amit Bhardwaj,Pet Consultant, Pune /Goa
Swimmer puppy syndrome – also known as swimmers syndrome in dogs, swimming-puppy syndrome, twisted legs, turtle pup, and flat-puppy syndrome – is a very rare developmental deformity seen in primarily newborn puppies.Swimmers syndrome is an uncommon development in dogs or cats, also known as flat-pup syndrome or swimming-puppy syndrome. This syndrome leads to a deformation in their limbs, beginning with the hind limbs. This type of deformational development makes the legs twisted and results in the inability to stand or walk. Although smaller and dwarf breeds are more prone to the syndrome, larger breeds may also suffer from it. Breeds that are more likely to produce puppies with swimmer puppy syndrome include English and French Bulldogs, Yorkshire Terriers, Basset Hounds, and Dachshunds.
Puppies that are physically unable to stand and walk normally are called “swimmers” as they paddle their legs like sea turtles do when stranded on high ground. A swimmer puppy typically lies flat on its chest and belly, with its hind legs extended behind and its forelegs extended to the front and / or sides.
Prolonged inability to stand and walk flattens a swimmer pup’s thorax, causing problems with breathing and preventing the puppy from eating properly. In newborn pups with swimmer puppy syndrome, milk is often regurgitated.
Swimmer puppies often experience difficulty with the entire digestion process; many have difficulty eliminating and develop constipation as a result. Without treatment, a swimmer puppy is also at risk of developing painful joint deformities caused by holding their legs at abnormal angles for long periods of time.
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SYMPTOMS OF SWIMMER PUPPY SYNDROME
Symptoms of swimmer puppy syndrome begin to show in the first few days to weeks of the puppy’s life. The puppy’s chest will appear flattened, not rounded. It will only lie on its stomach, not on its side. Its legs, both front and back, will be splayed out.
When compared to its littermates, the puppy’s developmental problems may become more evident. By three weeks of age, the puppy will not be able to stand or walk, and may struggle to move. When it does move, it may look like it is trying to paddle or swim. The puppy will be putting a lot of pressure on its sternum, which will contribute to the flattening of the chest and ribs. Because of its flattened chest, the puppy’s heart and lungs may have difficulty working and may become displaced or improperly develop.This causes swimmer syndrome puppies to have difficulty breathing and low energy levels. They will also be weak and may have problems with circulation. The puppy may also have difficulty eating. Because of the pressure on its chest, it may also struggle with keeping food down. Additionally, swimmer puppies may have sores or lesions on their bodies from lying in urine or feces.
Besides paddling their legs like little turtles or pulling themselves along on their bellies like snakes, There are a few things to look for:
- The puppy’s chest will appear flattened rather than rounded.
- You’ll probably notice that the puppy has some difficulty breathing.
- Swimmer puppies are often lethargic.
- By one week of age, the pup’s legs will usually appear to be permanently splayed to the sides, no matter how the puppy is held.
- By three weeks of age, the puppy will not be developing the ability to stand and walk like its littermates.
WHAT CAUSES SWIMMER PUPPY SYNDROME?
Small and dwarf dog breeds are more prone to swimmer puppy syndrome that large breeds. Since this condition isn’t common, little research has been conducted to determine the cause. Some veterinary experts believe that the issue is hereditary, while others point toward environments that prevent puppies from moving enough to develop their muscles properly. Others believe that swimmer puppies are born with congenital defects that occur prior to birth.
HOW IS SWIMMER PUPPY SYNDROME TREATED?
Once upon a time, the only “remedy” for swimmer puppy syndrome was humane euthanasia. Today, these puppies aren’t hopeless cases.
Many veterinarians are willing to intervene and give the puppy a chance at having a happy, healthy life as there are quite a few treatments for swimmer puppy syndrome.
Use a harness or sling to suspend the puppy for up to 20 minutes at a time, up to four times per day. This treatment is intended to strengthen muscles while taking pressure off the chest and abdomen.
- Have your veterinarian show you how to hobble or tape the puppy’s legs into the correct position. Every case is different; however, this is normally done gradually, for just 15 to 20 minutes per day, and only 3 to 4 times per day at first. It’s usually paired with the harness or sling method, with the puppy’s paws lightly touching the ground but not supporting the pup’s weight at all.
- Avoid slippery surfaces that prevent the pup from gaining traction.
- Make sure that bedding is fluffy and soft, so the pup’s thorax isn’t as tightly compressed as it would be on a hard surface. You can also create a soft vest for the pup to wear by cutting leg holes in an old sock and stuffing the sock with fluffy material to keep the chest elevated.
- Encourage the puppy to sleep on its side rather than resting on its abdomen. When you are with the puppy, help it change positions while nursing and sleeping.
- Use a soft toothbrush to tickle the puppy’s paw pads at least a few times per day. This gentle stimulation can help with nerve development and encourage the puppy to move its legs more, as well as to exert more force with each movement.
- Massage the puppy frequently, particularly after feeding. All-over massage can help stimulate muscles and nerves while aiding the digestion process.
- Stand the puppy up and use your fingers to gently encourage “walking” motions with the legs. You can also encourage these movements while the puppy is suspended in a sling.
- Ensure that the puppy is being fed adequately, but not over-fed. Excess weight makes recovery more difficult.
- Keep the puppy clean. Because swimmer puppies aren’t able to relive themselves properly, they’re prone to lying in their own waste. This can lead to painful lesions and cause complications with treatment. Apply a moisture barrier cream or unscented baby powder to help prevent irritation, if your vet approves.
How to Treat Swimmer Puppy Syndrome
There are several things that you can do to support your swimmer puppy, including the treatment options below :
- Taping or Hobbling
Generally, the first go-to for treatment of Swimmers Puppy Syndrome is the taping method. Taping – also referred to as “hobbling” – is when a medical tape is used to secure the puppy’s legs in the correct position.
It’s inadvisable to first try this yourself. A veterinarian who is experienced with hobbling in dogs should always show you how to tape your puppy’s legs so that you don’t cause any pain or damage to the limbs.
To begin with, taping should only be worn for 15 minutes at a time, 3-4 times a day. While taped, you should use a sling or harness to support your puppy.
Although supported by the sling, your puppy’s feet should be only just touching the ground. Using a harness or sling to support a puppy in this way strengthens the dog’s leg muscles, but it also helps to relieve pressure on their sternum.
- Repositioning
It’s important that you reposition your Swimmers puppy on their side any time that you see them laying on their sternum. Encouraging your puppy to sleep on their side as much as possible will relieve pressure on the chest. Even if they are not sleeping, repositioning is a good way to reduce complications from constant pressure on the chest.
- Maintaining a Healthy Weight
It may sound simple, but helping your Swimmers dog to maintain a healthy weight is more beneficial than you might realize. The more extra weight your pup has to hold up, the slower their progress with therapy will be. It’s also worth considering that extra weight means more pressure on the sternum of Swimmers puppies.
- Bedding
Be sure to give your Swimmers puppy a supportive, orthopedic and lofty bed (not any regular dog bed) that will help to keep as much pressure as possible off the dog’s chest and abdomen. You can also pad your puppy’s bed with blankets so that you can customize the height and supportiveness of their bedding.
- Massage
Massage has many benefits, but it’s also a great tool to help promote well-being in Swimmers puppies while also stimulating the dog’s nerves and muscles .Massaging your puppy after a feed can also help the digestive process along and help to resolve problems like constipation and gas.
- Hygiene
Hygiene should never be neglected in Swimmers pups. Since these puppies aren’t able to support their body weight, they are also unable to stand to use the potty or to move away from waste when they do go while lying down.
Failing to clean up after your Swimmers pup immediately after their accident can cause infection as well as urine burns and painful sores.
- Environment
Scientists that studied this condition strongly suggest that appropriate flooring is extremely important, particularly non-slippery floors that prevent slippage and further injuries in puppies. Furthermore, due to pups relieving themselves where they rest, it’s recommended to use pee pads in your dog’s favorite spots. Applying baby powder and wiping the dog can also help to prevent fecal scalding.
- Tickle or Otherwise Stimulate Your Puppy’s Feet
Tickling or touching your puppy’s feet means that you are stimulating their nerves and creating a “nuisance” sensation that will cause them to kick. Kicking helps to stretch out the legs and build muscle, both extremely important things for Swimmer’s puppies.
- Water Therapy
Water therapy is recommended for Swimmer dogs that have developed a swimming reflex (this happens around 6 weeks old). Keeping the pup secured, submerge them in water up to their chin.
When submerged, the puppy’s swimming instinct will kick in and they will begin paddling. Be sure to keep hold of the puppy but let them paddle. This helps to build up muscle in the legs and can be done for short periods, two to three times a day.
What is the management?
- Slippery floors may worsen, or in some cases, may even cause swimmer puppies. Egg crate bed liners work well. Pups should NEVER be on a flat surface. Bunch up towels and blankets and keep pup confined to a small area.
- Puppies should not become overweight, as this may further the weakness in the rear limbs.
- Most swimmers have a flattened chest from laying flat. Massage therapy throughout the day ~ by rounding out the chest with your hands and putting them in a dog life vest works well with keeping pups off of their chest.
- Taping the legs in the correct position should be done asap. You will see almost immediate progress. If the pup is a chewer you will have to put a cone on while legs are taped.
- Swim sessions three times a day will help with building muscle. Note – the swim reflex may not develop until pups are 6 weeks or older. Submerge pup to his chin (this kicks in the survival instinct to kick.)
- Since there may be a hereditary component to this condition, dogs who were swimmer puppies would not be optimal breeding animals.
