Swimmer Puppy Syndrome? Frenchies can't swim.

Many of you have seen the pictures and videos of Xena, the swimmer puppy taken in by Short Mugs Rescue Squad this past weekend.  As suspected, Xena has been diagnosed with swimmers syndrome.  But what is swimmers syndrome and what is the path that Xena "Warrior Princess" will have to travel to gain full mobility?  I will answer these and several other questions along the way.

Swimmers syndrome is simply a puppy with a flattened chest and sternum.  They look kind of like a turtle when you view them from the top.  A swimmer puppies legs are out stretched  and they swim around, similar to the breast stroke, instead of crawling like a puppy who is developing normally.  Puppies learn to stand at about 2 weeks and should be walking at 3 weeks. Due to this development of being flat and the internal complications that come with it, many swimmer puppies will die within the first few weeks of life.  Those who do survive, like our little Xena, take longer to learn how to walk.

Why did Xena become a swimmer?  We may never really know.  Some puppies are born swimmers and some puppies become swimmers.  When puppies are very young their bones are like rubber bands. If they feed and sleep only on their stomachs they can become swimmers.  They should be encouraged to lay on their sides instead.  If they eat too much and are too hot causing them to be lazy, they can become swimmers.  When puppies are cold they tend to move around looking for warm spots.  If the whelping box is flat and the puppies have no traction, they can become swimmers.  There are numerous scenarios as to how a puppy ends up as a swimmer.

The good thing is it can be fixed.  Professional help needs to be sought, but the puppies also need to be reinforced and worked with at home.  Variation in surfaces for walking that create traction needs to be provided along with a sleeping area that promotes side sleep.  Massaging the puppies and using hobbles that tape their legs into the correct position also helps.  Imagine the tape as old time prison shackles on the puppies legs.  This helps them learn how to correctly stand and walk.  Remember, the bones are still very easy to manipulate.  Xena will be going to physical therapy twice a week over the next 8 weeks.  She will also be worked with in foster care.

Xena's first session at Gulf Coast Animal Rehab and Fitness.

If you'd like to sponsor Xena's "Warrior Rehab" efforts please use the link below.  The cost of quality rehabilitation is not cheap, but as with all our dogs we believe she is worth all the time and effort this takes.  SMRS is excited about helping this little princess get on the road to living a healthy happy life.  Come along with us and follow us on this amazing journey.

http://www.shortmugsrescuesquad.org/animals/detail?AnimalID=6854064