Left untreated, swimmer syndrome causes serious and even life-threatening consequences, but with early intervention, swimmer puppies can go on to live a relatively normal life.<\/p>\n
What Does Swimmer Puppy Syndrome Look Like?<\/strong><\/h2>\nPuppies with swimmers syndrome begin to show physical symptoms a\u00a0week or two after birth<\/strong>.<\/p>\nSwimmers syndrome in dogs has nothing to do with actual swimming (in water); it is called \u201cswimmers\u201d because swimmer puppies look as though they are swimming when they try to move around the environment.<\/p>\n
Dogs will lie on their chest with their limbs extended to the sides or in front of and behind the body and \u201cpaddle\u201d as though they were turtles.<\/p>\n
Here's another photo<\/a> of what this condition looks like.<\/p>\nWhere healthy puppies in a litter should be able to walk by three weeks, swimmer puppies are unable to walk or stand due to\u00a0severe weakness in the hind limbs<\/strong>.<\/p>\nComplications of Swimmer Puppy Syndrome<\/strong><\/h2>\nAs swimmer puppies spend more time lying flat, their chest and abdomen flatten, causing the thorax or midsection of the body to develop in a flat cylindrical shape<\/strong>\u00a0rather than a cylindrical shape (4<\/a>,\u00a05<\/a>).<\/p>\nIn severe cases, the front of the chest can curve inward. These changes cause difficulty with\u00a0breathing<\/a>\u00a0in young dogs as their lungs are unable to fill fully due to shifting or compression.<\/p>\nDigestion is another common problem in puppies with Swimmer Puppy Syndrome, and it's not unusual to see regurgitation of milk. Digestive problems can also disrupt normal bowel movements, causing straining or constipation.<\/p>\n
The longer swimmer puppies go without any treatment, the more severe their physical deformities can become, and the wider-reaching effects of those deformities can be. For example, as the thorax becomes even flatter, internal organs can be pressed out of place<\/strong>\u00a0(6<\/a>).<\/p>\nThe Outlook for Swimmers Puppies<\/strong><\/h2>\nIt used to be thought that these pups were a \u201clost cause,\u201d but as our understanding of veterinary medicine has advanced, we now know that there is hope.<\/p>\n
With early intervention (see below), puppies can live a relatively normal life.<\/p>\n
Generally, successful treatment involves things such as bandaging the dog's limbs, intensive physiotherapy, external splinting, and, in some cases, hospitalization.<\/p>\n
A notable 2013 study<\/a> is good proof of this, which observed the dog for 10 years and demonstrated how puppies with this condition can continue living a relatively normal life.<\/p>\nWithout any intervention at all or treating this condition too late, most Swimmers puppies are\u00a0more likely to die than to live past 8 weeks<\/strong>.<\/p>\nNote that some veterinarians without experience in treating this problem may suggest euthanasia as the \u201conly option\u201d (7<\/a>).<\/p>\nWhat Causes Swimmer Puppy Syndrome?<\/strong><\/h2>\nAlthough we have come a long way in our ability to rehabilitate Swimmer puppies, we still don't understand what causes this condition<\/strong>\u00a0(8<\/a>). However, there are some speculations.<\/p>\nSome experts believe that SPS is an inherited condition in dogs, while others believe that it's a congenital defect or is related to in-utero viral or fungal infections.<\/p>\n
A few other suggestions for the cause include\u00a0dog-inappropriate<\/a> (hard or slippery) floors, delayed neuromuscular development, weight gain that's exceeded the dog's skeletal development, and dysfunction of synaptic or ventral horn cells.<\/p>\nIn piglets, this very same condition was suspected to be caused due to stress during pregnancy (9<\/a>).<\/p>\nBreeds More Prone to Swimmer Puppy Syndrome<\/strong><\/h2>\nWhile we aren't exactly sure what causes this puppy condition, we do know that certain breeds are more prone to it.<\/p>\n
Swimmers are seen in smaller and \u201cdwarf\u201d breeds<\/strong> much more often than it's seen in large-breed dogs.<\/p>\nCases of Swimmers have been seen most often in the following breeds (10<\/a>):<\/p>\n\n- Dachshunds<\/li>\n
- Pekinese<\/li>\n
- Yorkshire Terriers<\/li>\n
- West Highland White Terriers<\/li>\n
- English Cocker Spaniels<\/li>\n
- English Bulldogs<\/li>\n
- Basset Hounds<\/li>\n
- French Bulldogs<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
![\"How](\"https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/How-to-Treat-Swimmer-Puppy-Syndrome.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
How to Treat Swimmer Puppy Syndrome<\/u><\/strong><\/h2>\nYou can do several things to support your swimmer puppy, including the treatment options below (11<\/a>,\u00a012<\/a>).<\/p>\n1. Taping or Hobbling<\/strong><\/h3>\nGenerally, the first go-to for the treatment of Swimmers Puppy Syndrome is the taping method. Taping \u2013 also referred to as \u201chobbling\u201d \u2013 is when a medical tape is used to secure the puppy's legs in the correct position.<\/p>\n
It's inadvisable to first try this yourself.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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\u00a0sling<\/a>\u00a0or\u00a0harness<\/a>\u00a0to support your puppy.<\/p>\nAlthough supported by the sling, your puppy's feet should be only just touching the ground.<\/p>\n
Using a harness or sling to support a swimmer puppy strengthens the dog's leg muscles but also helps relieve pressure on the sternum.<\/p>\n
2. Repositioning<\/strong><\/h3>\nYou must reposition your Swimmers puppy on their side any time you see them lying on their sternum.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
3. Maintaining a Healthy Weight<\/strong><\/h3>\nIt may sound simple, but helping your Swimmers dog to maintain a\u00a0healthy weight<\/a>\u00a0is 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.<\/p>\n4. Bedding<\/strong><\/h3>\nBe sure to give your Swimmers puppy a supportive,\u00a0orthopedic<\/a>,\u00a0and lofty bed (not any regular dog bed) that will help to keep as much pressure as possible off the dog's chest and abdomen.<\/p>\nYou can also pad your puppy's bed with\u00a0blankets<\/a>\u00a0so that you can customize the height and supportiveness of their bedding.<\/p>\n5. Massage<\/strong><\/h3>\nMassage has\u00a0many benefits<\/a>, but it's also a great tool to help promote well-being in Swimmer puppies while also stimulating the dog's nerves and muscles (13<\/a>).<\/p>\nMassaging your puppy after a feed can also help the digestive process along and help resolve problems like constipation and gas.<\/p>\n
6. Hygiene<\/strong><\/h3>\nHygiene should never be neglected in swimmer puppy syndrome.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Failing to clean up immediately after your Swimmer pup's accident can cause infection, urine burns, and painful sores.<\/p>\n
7. Environment<\/strong><\/h3>\nScientists who studied this condition strongly suggest that appropriate flooring is extremely important, particularly non-slippery floors that prevent slippage and further injuries in puppies.<\/p>\n
Swimmers syndrome in dogs has nothing to do with actual swimming (in water); it is called \u201cswimmers\u201d because swimmer puppies look as though they are swimming when they try to move around the environment.<\/p>\n
Dogs will lie on their chest with their limbs extended to the sides or in front of and behind the body and \u201cpaddle\u201d as though they were turtles.<\/p>\n
Here's another photo<\/a> of what this condition looks like.<\/p>\n Where healthy puppies in a litter should be able to walk by three weeks, swimmer puppies are unable to walk or stand due to\u00a0severe weakness in the hind limbs<\/strong>.<\/p>\n As swimmer puppies spend more time lying flat, their chest and abdomen flatten, causing the thorax or midsection of the body to develop in a flat cylindrical shape<\/strong>\u00a0rather than a cylindrical shape (4<\/a>,\u00a05<\/a>).<\/p>\n In severe cases, the front of the chest can curve inward. These changes cause difficulty with\u00a0breathing<\/a>\u00a0in young dogs as their lungs are unable to fill fully due to shifting or compression.<\/p>\n Digestion is another common problem in puppies with Swimmer Puppy Syndrome, and it's not unusual to see regurgitation of milk. Digestive problems can also disrupt normal bowel movements, causing straining or constipation.<\/p>\n The longer swimmer puppies go without any treatment, the more severe their physical deformities can become, and the wider-reaching effects of those deformities can be. For example, as the thorax becomes even flatter, internal organs can be pressed out of place<\/strong>\u00a0(6<\/a>).<\/p>\n It used to be thought that these pups were a \u201clost cause,\u201d but as our understanding of veterinary medicine has advanced, we now know that there is hope.<\/p>\n With early intervention (see below), puppies can live a relatively normal life.<\/p>\n Generally, successful treatment involves things such as bandaging the dog's limbs, intensive physiotherapy, external splinting, and, in some cases, hospitalization.<\/p>\n A notable 2013 study<\/a> is good proof of this, which observed the dog for 10 years and demonstrated how puppies with this condition can continue living a relatively normal life.<\/p>\n Without any intervention at all or treating this condition too late, most Swimmers puppies are\u00a0more likely to die than to live past 8 weeks<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Note that some veterinarians without experience in treating this problem may suggest euthanasia as the \u201conly option\u201d (7<\/a>).<\/p>\n Although we have come a long way in our ability to rehabilitate Swimmer puppies, we still don't understand what causes this condition<\/strong>\u00a0(8<\/a>). However, there are some speculations.<\/p>\n Some experts believe that SPS is an inherited condition in dogs, while others believe that it's a congenital defect or is related to in-utero viral or fungal infections.<\/p>\n A few other suggestions for the cause include\u00a0dog-inappropriate<\/a> (hard or slippery) floors, delayed neuromuscular development, weight gain that's exceeded the dog's skeletal development, and dysfunction of synaptic or ventral horn cells.<\/p>\n In piglets, this very same condition was suspected to be caused due to stress during pregnancy (9<\/a>).<\/p>\n While we aren't exactly sure what causes this puppy condition, we do know that certain breeds are more prone to it.<\/p>\n Swimmers are seen in smaller and \u201cdwarf\u201d breeds<\/strong> much more often than it's seen in large-breed dogs.<\/p>\n Cases of Swimmers have been seen most often in the following breeds (10<\/a>):<\/p>\n You can do several things to support your swimmer puppy, including the treatment options below (11<\/a>,\u00a012<\/a>).<\/p>\n Generally, the first go-to for the treatment of Swimmers Puppy Syndrome is the taping method. Taping \u2013 also referred to as \u201chobbling\u201d \u2013 is when a medical tape is used to secure the puppy's legs in the correct position.<\/p>\n It's inadvisable to first try this yourself.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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\u00a0sling<\/a>\u00a0or\u00a0harness<\/a>\u00a0to support your puppy.<\/p>\n Although supported by the sling, your puppy's feet should be only just touching the ground.<\/p>\n Using a harness or sling to support a swimmer puppy strengthens the dog's leg muscles but also helps relieve pressure on the sternum.<\/p>\n You must reposition your Swimmers puppy on their side any time you see them lying on their sternum.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n It may sound simple, but helping your Swimmers dog to maintain a\u00a0healthy weight<\/a>\u00a0is 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.<\/p>\n Be sure to give your Swimmers puppy a supportive,\u00a0orthopedic<\/a>,\u00a0and lofty bed (not any regular dog bed) that will help to keep as much pressure as possible off the dog's chest and abdomen.<\/p>\n You can also pad your puppy's bed with\u00a0blankets<\/a>\u00a0so that you can customize the height and supportiveness of their bedding.<\/p>\n Massage has\u00a0many benefits<\/a>, but it's also a great tool to help promote well-being in Swimmer puppies while also stimulating the dog's nerves and muscles (13<\/a>).<\/p>\n Massaging your puppy after a feed can also help the digestive process along and help resolve problems like constipation and gas.<\/p>\n Hygiene should never be neglected in swimmer puppy syndrome.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Failing to clean up immediately after your Swimmer pup's accident can cause infection, urine burns, and painful sores.<\/p>\n Scientists who studied this condition strongly suggest that appropriate flooring is extremely important, particularly non-slippery floors that prevent slippage and further injuries in puppies.<\/p>\nComplications of Swimmer Puppy Syndrome<\/strong><\/h2>\n
The Outlook for Swimmers Puppies<\/strong><\/h2>\n
What Causes Swimmer Puppy Syndrome?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Breeds More Prone to Swimmer Puppy Syndrome<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\n
<\/p>\nHow to Treat Swimmer Puppy Syndrome<\/u><\/strong><\/h2>\n
1. Taping or Hobbling<\/strong><\/h3>\n
2. Repositioning<\/strong><\/h3>\n
3. Maintaining a Healthy Weight<\/strong><\/h3>\n
4. Bedding<\/strong><\/h3>\n
5. Massage<\/strong><\/h3>\n
6. Hygiene<\/strong><\/h3>\n
7. Environment<\/strong><\/h3>\n