swimmer pup - Page 1

I have a 13 day old swimmer pup. I've tried taping the two back legs together but it doesn't seem to be working. I don't know if the tape is to long or to short but it isn't helping. Has anyone had a swimmer pup before? What did you do to save them? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Mysti

What is a swimmer pup?

Mysti are the pups on a surface that allows them to move easier? They need something that lets them get their feet underneath themselves like a fleece liner. Having too much heated surface can also be a bad thing. If you have a smaller area of heat, the pups will move around more. Good luck with the pup!

Hello, I have no a swimmer Puppy, but I have info under my homepage under " Schäferhunde" more info over Swimmer puppys ( Schwimmersyndrom). Please look under: http://www.vom.speichersee.de.vu Beste regards from germany, Bärbel

I've had swimmers before.. they need to be on a surface where they can get their legs under them....like the fleece someone else mentioned. We actually used 1/4 in hardware cloth (very small wire mesh, they could get their little toes into it and bring themslves up. The pup needs to start using its rear legs, and needs to be on its side ...you may have to do some massaging, the bones at this age are very soft and malleable and with gentle massage can often be reshaped .. keep putting the pup on its sides, which will be difficult since its chest is flat... You need to have the pup examined by your vet for a hands on consult and look for other problems.. I have seen swimmer pups have megesophagus also (sorry, but you might as well be prepared). Good luck.. keep us posted

My recollection of swimmer pups (had a whole litter back about 8 years ago) was that the back legs had nothing to do with swimmers. Don't do anything to the rear legs. I contacted a golden breeder who had had swimmer pups, she guided me so I saved 1/2 the litter. Have the puppy lie on it's side and nurse...make the pup completely fill it's stomach. Once the little belly is full the pup will naturally remain on it's side. Keep this up, diligently, and the pup will correct itself.

Buy Office rugs at Home Depot, they are $8 a 4X5, and very warm, they will walk comfortably and warm all around, replace weekly if too dirty, I laundry them every time.

There are several things that you need to do to remedy this problem. First, as already mentioned, a surface with good traction is needed. Such as a carpet. Second, turn down the heat in the room. Third, place some objects under the carpet so that the floor of the box is uneven. This allows the puppy the ability to take weight off his chest. Fourth, Limit the time the dam is with the pups. Some bitches will stay still all day to allow the pups to feed. This is not good. The pups must be forced to move around. Finally, Every time you see the pup on its stomach, flip it on its side. Good luck

Also, tape the front feet together if the the pup is no longer able to stand and looks like a turtle.

The pup is a swimmer because it is only using its front legs (in a swimming motion - yes, like a turtle) so yes, the backlegs are involved.. they aren't using them and need to be forced to do so.... Sometimes very fat pups can become swimmers also.. have heard of small litters when mom has lots to feed them!! so keeping mom out of the box a little also works....