3wk puppy not walking right----Please help - Page 1

I need some help. My 6yr old pit mix gave birth to 14 puppies. 2 were still born.  All the rest, except one, is doing just fine even though we have had to supplement the dam's milk supply. (poor girl). Anyway, My problem puppy is a male who can not walk on his front legs.  He either flops to one side of the or the other, but not on both legs at once. Could this have been because there was not enough room in her for proper development, or could he just be a late bloomer and it will take him a while to get it right.
I have been trying to help him just stand correctly, but I can feel his upper body just want to go to one side or another. Any ideas anyone?  He is a sweetheart and never gives up trying to get where he wants to go.  I do know the other puppies try to push him around, but he not having any of it. lol.

Please help. All answers would be appreciated.

Sounds like a "swimmer puppy" to me. Lots of information on this site

http://www.swimmerpuppy.com/description.html

is the bottom of his chest flat? like where the sternum would be?  if  its flat and he is real barrel chested he's probably a swimmer puppy, or has a deformity. 

Agree... sounds like swimers ....

First be certain that you have a good solid footing under the pups.  I like to use those industrial rug/mats for the floor as they can't be "fluffed" up and smother a pup.  (I've 3 that I rotate... one in the crate, one being washed in the tub, one drying). If it's not severe that may be enough...  but I have made a "harness" using tape and cast padding... wrap around the pup's shoulders and behind the front legs, then around the front of the legs, taking a turn around each leg at the elbow with the cast padding. ( if you don't have that you could substitue with paper towels or even toilet paper as the main reason for it is to keep the tape from sticking) you then take a loose circle of tape behind the  forelegs... pull both legs into the proper position for walking and take a figure 8 around the two fastening it to that circle of tape.  Add tape til you feel secure, but ONLY LET 1/4" OF TAPE TOUCH THE FUR BEHIND THE  CIRCLE AROUND THE CHEST.  I leave that "jacket" on for 5 days to a week, then just clip the tape/cotton and peal it off. 

I've used it a number of times when small litters got too pudgey and had problems, and also used it @ work when we had pups come into the Vet Clinic with the problem.  Even the Vet was surprised how well it works.

Good luck... be sure to change the footing.

How old are the puppies? Most puppies can't walk "properly" for some time (we're talking up to a couple of weeks, depending on the dog breed) after birth. As others have stated, this sounds like a swimmer puppy, but just in case, I figured I should ask how old they were.

The puppies will be 4wks old on Sunday. I put a video of Ninja on youtube to show what happens.  It is not swimmers puppy as I have researched that. His legs point to the same side of his body. (both pointing to the left or the right depending on the way he leans).

He stomach and chest are fine and his brothers and sisters are walking just fine.  One is even running.

I've thought of doing the harness thing to help support his legs under him and see how that works. My daughter wants to do the full therapy thing. Including the water treatment. Told her he may be too young for that. But It also seems like he has a problem with his neck and holding his head straight as well.  He looks healthy other wise.

The name of the video on youtube is Ninja3wkpup.

Looks like it could have a balance problem (inner ear) or is just too fat.  How is it weightwise compared to the littermates?  Do you know if it sustained any head trauma?

BTW here is the link to the video:

www.youtube.com/watch

yep, could be an ear infection or something.  A breeder I knew had a young pom pup who reacted like this,  She had a bad ear infection.  I've seen ear mites do the same thing too.

this might sound a little crazy, but have you taken this puppy to the vet for a check up?