22-06-2011, 06:03 PM #3 It will be helpful to other readers and more puppies will be saved. Both provide cushioning and traction, are easy to clean and can be cut to fit.If you need to hobble the hind legs, a bit of surgical tape usually does the trick. The ribs don't curve in the normal way but curve back outwards again. I splinted her and we worked diligently with her. Anyway, if you could get back to me and offer more advice I would be forever grateful. See how the foam is wedged against his leg from shoulder to elbow? We found your web site and tried your sock method for 3 days on the 4th day the puppy had gotten considerably worse. A normally rounded chest can begin to flatten within hours of birth but may go undetected in a large litter. Hi, I've just saved my 4 week old spaniel puppy, thanks to your wonderful t-shirt method. It wasnt (and still isnt) uncommon to be told by a veterinarian that euthanization is the only course of action. There are other options that can be tried (easier than the foam-and-shirt method) if you are still having issues at about the two week mark. #7: How should I deal with my dogs floating rib? Swim sessions: Hit the pool three times a day. Is he too old to recover? Youll see that they have 13 ribs. I couldn't get the tape technique to work. full time. Thank you for sharing the photos with us; your experience can encourage and help other people help their puppies. Be sure the surface under the pups provides them with some traction. That puppy sounds like what is called a SWIMMER. Have you noticed any difference in his stool compared to the others? Other noticeable physical symptoms include bleeding, lacerations, and puncture wounds. The vast majority of human beings are born with 24 ribs, 12 on each side of the body. They could be fatty deposits in the skin or a fatty tumor. As a tip, you can also try to look at the bone anatomy of a dogs rib cage. Im sure he will be a wonderful best friend to you for many years to come. Aside from medication, you can follow some simple tips to ease your poochs pain. In a few days youll be chasing her around the yard while she RUNS everywhere! Basenjis. Thank you so much for your response and support. Visible bruises on your dog's back are a clear sign of an injury. As it is, she is once again a healthy, strong puppy.Julia, Hi, first of all I'm sorry for my english that is not my natural language. This morning she was able to stay on 4 legs and at by herself even if when tries to walk, she goes down. Finally two weeks after his arrival I build a "canyon" a little wider than the puppy with some wood boards and an antislip surface that is normally used beneath carpets to avoid people to slip in the carpet.That made him to stand up as the walls of the canyon didn't allow him to splay out his limbs to the side. If this is the case, an affected puppy should not be used for breeding purposes. Once they begin walking, even if they're unsteady, the worst is over. Have you asked a veterinarian to check the formation of their hips and legs? The world's 1st site by/for dog show judges TheJudgesPlace.com educates on purebred dogs. I did try the sock and t-shirt methods, but somehow its not satisfactory, as I think I am not getting it right. The puppy is now 5 weeks old. HiI adopted a puppy (a choc lab like Fudge) with swimmer puppy syndrome 2 months ago. Thanks.:). I do notice that most of the puppies that people are posting about are older than mine. THERE IS HOPE. This is a soft-tissue problem and is not caused by vertebral or bony malformation. Sophisticated testing may be needed to determine whether the whelp actually suffers a defect in the Mom had a small litter and pups were HUGE and VERY FAT. Buddy's owner brought him in expecting to have her pet dog undergo a series of X-rays. I love him despite his disability and I am willing to accept the possability that he may never walk. It was so alarming.I found your website immediately and bought some t-shirts to cut up and after experimenting, made a rig to fit her.I used a 2 inch chunk of car sponge, as I thought her chest desperately needed raising up but it kept slipping sideways. I have taped the back legs once, which helped, and I will do it again. I have made the rig using a cotton shirt but so far not much success, he does not want to stay on his tummy. We had a small litter of four black Labrador Retrievers in early December and it was very apparent that one was having a few problems. Do you think it's because he is a little fat for his age?Thanks againYvonne. If you have a box or basket to use, try that also. function enlarge(x) { Dachshunds. Pick a SQUARE basket or box just big enough for the pup to lay on his side, but small enough to keep him from laying belly-down. 2004 Jun;45(6):3114. I'm italian and I'm trying to save my 5 weeks old newfoundland puppy.I noticed the female puppy had a problem around the 3rd week, but cause she was the smallest of the group, I thought she would be able to walk with a little delay.At the 4th week she was not walking, she was still moving as a reptile. I recently hada litter of three Japanese Chin puppies. Just be sure the binding isnt too tight or rigid for her to breath properly. Ill be here to help if you need me.There is currently no way to post your photos here because I havent been able to convert to the new commenting system yet. Thank you for all your helpYvonne, Wonderful news, Yvonne! It makes a big difference to have some one who understands. They are 9 days old now and though seem pretty healthy and rounded, their rib cage is extended on the sides and I am concerned. The chest x-rays performed on the dog confirmed that. If turned onto his side, She is now 4 weeks old and she can walks and runs as fast as the other puppies!Once again, thank you very much for your blog. I have my iPad at the hospital and he's out of ICU now so I should be able to reply faster. We can't thank you enough for all your advice and helping us and so many more save all our puppies. The world's 1st online dog news, TheDogPress.com from AKC records to zoological news. We really need more useful blog like this.p.s. Dogs born with pectus excavatum often exhibit breathing difficulties. They may resolve on their own If left alone, but may need to be removed if an infection or inflammation occurs. As I explained before, floating ribs are harmless. Cora, I would agree that time will tell with your boy. Thats what causes a decrease in pulmonary and cardiac capacity. I only discovered she had a problem when her 3 brothers starting walking and she just lay on her chest. Is that the right way or should he stay on his stomach for some time?Regards from Iceland!YMH, Ylfamist, your story is too familiar; this is such a common and universal condition and even many veterinarians don't know what to do. Swimmer Puppy Syndrome: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment, Symptoms & Causes of Swimmer Puppy Syndrome, Treatment Options for Swimmer Puppy Syndrome, Helping Your Dog Recover From Swimmer Puppy Syndrome. Almost 4 weeks ago we went through our worst experience with our female.

I know it sounds intense, and it is for a few days, but that should be all it takes to get your boy on the road to full recovery. The earlier you treat the symptoms, the more promising the outcome for your pup to live a healthy adult life. When I held him, I could feel how flat his rib cage was; he had trouble breathing. the are able to wiggle out really easy. The signs were there, but.Your pup sounds just like Fudge. When you bind the hind legs to you tape them together or how do you do. Viewed from above, the body should taper slightly to end of loin. I'm the type that will sit in the whelping box to help them nurse, since I didn't have to I didn't realize the potential issue we'd have with them laying on their side. I have looked at all the options for dogs who dont walk, but I want to give him every oppertunity to learn that skill before I give in to carts and the home modifications that would come with that. He was completely flat and his 4 limbs were completely rigid. Crystal, I apologize for not replying sooner; I had some computer issues and I did not see your message.If your pup's front legs are in a normal position, you don't need to use the foam and shirt technique I described; that only works for spayed front legs. They are all splayed with all legs. I don't know if I did it correctly because they seem the be in agony with the jacket on. It is suggested for slightly critically affected dogs that have pliable sternal bones. I tried the sock method with a kid sock, but the pup was yelping and crying out constantly, so I took it out,thinking perhaps I am hurting it,maybe its too tight..Please advice. The foam I have on his belly is only about 1/2 inch thick. Hi, I have a litter of Bichon cross terrier. Earlier this week I had made a johnny jump up type thing (without the spring) for him that hangs in the door way. I put him in the sock for about 2-3 days with a foam padding on his chest and by the end of the 3rd day he was very sick, couldn't breathe and had a grayed out tongue. Do you think there is anything else I should do. :-/, Hello, my mother is a miniature schnauzer breeder and our litter is 4 weeks old. Does he nurse normally or do you have to assist? Her chest is flat and is breathing faster as compare with other puppies. He was a very big puppy at birth and all he did was eat and sleep on his belly. I am so relived to find your site, I have a litter of german shepherd pups delivered by c-section all have been doing well yesterday I checked them and one is flat. These bones . If you are an active breeder, depending on your breed of choice, sooner or later, you are likely to have a swimming puppy. The affected pup fails to crawl normally. He also seems to have problems breathing and likes to sleep perpendicularly, in an upright position, propped on his mom or pillows. He is about the size of a 2 1/2-3 week old puppy. Thank you so much for all of your help and advice. In this article, I covered the most important things you need to pay attention to if your dog suffers from a caved-in chest deformity. Here is a list of notable breeds that have recurrent cases. I am massaging her and am now thinking about hobbling her hind legs as these are very weak, the front ones just stay straight out in front of her but the back ones are really floppy and go straight out behind her or to the side, but I know she can use them because when I put her on her side she puts up an enormous battle to get back to her belly. I am trying to walk him on an uneven surface, but he seems to give up v easily.both his front and back legs are splayed and his chest cavity seems very deep now. I can't get it to stay on my pup properly. It is otherwise known as a funnel chest. When the pup is sleeping, move her onto her side, so she is not splayed out. Once the pup begins to walk, you should be able to relax. Did they break their bones, or are they sick? Anna, that is such good news! I''ll not harness them, but is there anything else I can do? They have been seen in many cat breeds but are more commonly encountered in Burmese, Bengals , Oriental Longhairs and Oriental Shorthairs. These irregularities are the reason why these dogs have difficulty breathing. The vets here are not much help with Swimmer Syndrome either, unfortunately. It is This type of deformational development makes the legs twisted and results in the inability to stand or walk. A dog's rib cage can be a great indicator of whether a dog is at a healthy weight. I kept putting them on there sides and working with them and all of them are just fine clean bill of health! Write again if you need anything else. Your email address will not be published. Willow is the beautiful runt of a litter of 16 that were born last February. Like turn them on their sides while nursing? Can Vet J. Most dogs have round chests that are not tall enough or short enough to be deep or barrel chests. She is very kind and eager to help.Please let me know if you still need assistance. If you look carefully at the photos of Fudge, you will get the basic idea.Unfortunately, vets dont seem to be much help with this problem anywhere; I hear from people all over the world who dont get any more help than you or I did. Available from. Thanks for your help. If I hobble any tighter, he can't walk. That's WONDERFUL news! In most cases, floating ribs dont cause problems in dogs. General Appearance The Havanese is a small, sturdy dog of immense charm. He even sleeps at his side by himself, the female needs help to stay in that position. Generally, most dog breeds have twenty-six ribs in thirteen pairs, and they are attached to the sternum. Thank you! I am very worried about her and wake up at night wondering if she is on her side!!!!! I'm gutted, as any owner would be. The local vets don't seem to have much idea about this problem and think it will go on its own. After carefull examination, her chest was completly flat and she was wet in her lungs when auscultated. His rib cage will gradually round out and his legs will get stronger and straighter. Have any suggestions for feeding them? I have a Husky mix i started bottle feeding at 1 week (wasnt nursing). Stuff the chest area with foam to keep it elevated. so I kept him with me on his side and then just brought him to nurse. what should I do?? Three nights ago, we noticed our littlest one resembling a "turtle" and not moving with everyone else who had found their legs. The human ribcage. I'm not a veterinary or a breeder and just wanted to share this, first of all, to thank about all the information I found on Internet, and second to show that working really really hard (it has been the longest months of my whole life) even a 9 week puppy can recover What a wonderful story, Eduardo! It helps give others hope that they will be successful, too.Best wishes. Rottweilers Royal: I'm glad you fought for your pup and found a method that worked for you! What wonderful news, Yvonne! Customer: My puppy is laying flat and his ribs feel almost flat what could this be Answered by Dr. C. Michael in 15 hours 14 years ago Dr. C. Michael 5+ years of experience 26 satisfied customers Specialities include: Dog Veterinary, Dog Medicine, Dog Diseases, Small Animal Veterinary Dr. C. Michael, Expert CustomerThanks for the question. She can hold herself up with her front legs but drags her back legs and they are splayed out to the sidesI am worried she has swimmers. Hi.It's great to see that you found a way to save your pup :) I think a few of the vets in this area have been reading this because a few of them have started selling "rigs" like yours but with straps and (small) weights instead of a old shirt and padding for swimmer pups (lol)You did a great thing,- Vet nurse in training. He turns around in a sure basket and absolutely doesn't stay on his sides, no matter what. The problem is, he just cant keep his back legs under him. If you have any questions or problems, please don't hesitate to post hereI get notice of new comments so I should be able to respond quickly.Your 'baby' should have a long, healthy life ahead. Once you've assessed these three areas, you give them a score on a five-point scale: 1 = Severely underweight. Please let me know and I will try to help you. You may contact me directly at labmama7 (at) sbcglobal (dot) net. It helps them breathe more easily.

The padding on the front legs is there to hold the legs in position; I used foam wedges. So today I noticed that my mal has kind of an enlarged rib cage it seems. Do I place the cotton balls on the inside of the front legs or the outside. The male is straight now so no need for that on him. Best Dog Crate Overall: Diggs Revol Dog Crate. The puppy now weighs about 14 oz.Do you think there is any reason not to try the shirt on her at this age? Here's how to score your dog's ribs, belly and waist to find out their Body Condition Score: J Vet Cardiol. Rather, its a normal part of their anatomy. The big story is in the newspaper! Again tks! We only had a H U G E girl which looked too fat and she cannot move easily. Give him another day or two. You are SO far ahead now because you recognized a potential problem early and did the intervention. However, the problem affects a kitten's spine and sternum too. The risks of pectus excavatum in puppies are nothing to be messed with. It is rare for an entire litter to be affected. Please post again if you need anything; I'll try to help you in any way I can. Furthermore, if they suffer from pectus excavatum, theyll have a lot of lung and cardiac problems that require urgent treatment. I really do appreciate this :), Hi there, just a quick update. I'm just noticing that this blog is pretty old, I hope you're still checking it!Thanks!Brooks. As you can see, the skeletal abnormalities of the pectus excavatum will lead to the squeezing of the organs in the breast. We try to put his legs under him but he just pushes them back out.not sleeping on side at all, stomach only. your little lab boy looks wonderfull, well done for giving him the time he needed.I will keep you posted.RegardsBev Carter www.bevians.co.uk. It may take hours, days, and weeks, but the payoff will be worth it when you see your pup stand and take her first steps after all of that dedication and hard work. Most dogs can recover from floating rib pain without the need for surgery. He's growing so fast that his body should adjust quickly.Congratulations on spotting the problem and taking quick action! This is very important; Swimmer Puppies NEVER lay on their sides by themselves, and that is the natural position for nursing. I have a pup that is 4week old I puller her from mom at two weeks I noticed something different and she was sick doctor save her medicine to clear her up. They saw that no reoccurrence of pectus excavatum had happened and that the dogs internal organs were working correctly. Please tell me what I can do to help him get stronger. Since your little guy is SO young, forcing him onto his side may be the only intervention you will need to 'fix' him. Also, they have thin noses and unusually few tracheas. I don't want to waste any time if I can get her turned around (literally). scientific evidence of a female schnauzer dog, scientific research on external splinting, https://www.cabdirect.org/cabdirect/welcome/?target=%2fcabdirect%2fabstract%2f19912215354, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Trachea&oldid=1117780283, Insufficiencies in the diaphragm musculature, Heart murmurs (unusual blood flow through the heart, Cyanosis (blueing of the surface of the skin). We have a litter of Golden Retrievers, it is our Scout's first litter, and she only had 3. Gently bind the hind legs together, leaving about a hips width apart. Beagles. Thank you for writing about your swimmer puppy! 1 It has been described in dogs, cats, lambs, calves, rabbits and sea otters. (Source: Gray's Anatomy of the Human Body, 20th ed. Thats why the bump looks like a moving tumor whenever your dog moves. Puppy ribs are fairly soft and flexible because they are growing so fast. do we need to change the flooring or add something to it for better traction. You should enter the one of them on the hay bale in a photo contest! I can't tell you thanks enough for having this site and taking the time to help others. I found your blog just last night. experienced breeder can detect a flat feeling chest by holding the whelp chest-side down in the palm of He now is using his rear legs and getting around pretty well. And when you compare it to the rest of the other bones. Hi I am a rottie breeder and have a litter of 8 beautiful healthy pups, they are gaining weight at the expected rate and are drinking well on their mother. In most tetrapods, ribs surround the chest, enabling the lungs to expand and thus facilitate breathing by expanding the chest cavity. sometimes they push there legs out to the side but for the most part they have them under them.I have put an egg crate in the box and turned the heat off I make them crawl and rub there legs . She had 2 pups stuck in her canal and we had no idea since she delivered the amount the vet said. Youll know right away if your dog has a broken one. Let me know if you have any more questions or concerns; Ill do anything I can to help you. Hi i have a 2 and a half week old singleton cavalier king charles spaniel. The basket or box method is easy and effective. Swimmer Puppy Syndrome is a developmental deformity that results in a puppy having a flattened thorax/chest. Youre doing GREAT! I am holding her and massaging her a lot, but I know overnight she probably flips back to her belly and sleeps all night like that. :-)LabMama. This dog breed can be easily recognized by its small nose and squashed facial form. Hi,I am currently treating a puppy with swimmers. After finding your blog I made her a foam vest and made sure she spent as much time as possible on her side. Best wishes for happy, healthy puppies! Once she starts doing it on her own, you can remove the tape hobble. I think I might have a puppy with swimmers but she is not showing all the symptoms she is walking and does not having breathing problems. Strap a swimmer puppy syndrome harness on your pup to keep her chest well-suspended from the flat ground. They don't often live long, but I know one who is about 6 years old. The rescue is going to try to get some publicity for this puppy so that others faced with a disabled puppy wont give up hope so quickly and put them down thinking that they are a lost cause. Flat-chested kitten syndrome 1 language Flat-chested kitten syndrome ( FCKS) is a disorder in cats wherein kittens develop a compression of the thorax (chest/ribcage) caused by lung collapse [citation needed]. There are other possible causes for her lameness that could be ruled out by an x-ray and/or physical exam.Does she lay on or sleep on her side? Oh thank goodness. There is an ongoing debate about whether a surgical correction should be considered for all dogs with an indented chest. At the momment I have him lying on his side, and he is fast asleep. This forced the legs together and kept them from splaying out to the sides. Then fur parents shouldnt have a reason to worry about a floating rib. Even though you may consider the deformed concave chest to be exceptional, it is more common than you think. Your babies are gorgeous and Im so happy your little girl is thriving.You are SO right. NEVER give up on your puppies! Before I found your site, I had already talked to my vet about her and been told there was really nothing that I could do. ~Thanks for all the tips and suggestion, I will update you on progress, Just had to share the good news :) my little darling just stood up and took a few steps! Congratulations, and best of luck to you and your 'baby'. Or should I keep a cushion on his belly? Here is a list of notable breeds . If the legs are always splayed and he NEVER lays on his side, I'd call that Swimmer Syndrome. Early diagnosis depends on astute observation and frequent handling of puppies. So 3 days ago I went to the my vet but he was still closed when I arrived there. that is big enough for the pup to lay on his SIDE, but NOT big enough for him to lay on his belly. If the hind legs ARE splayed, it is easy to 'hobble' them with a bit of surgical tape to force the pup on his side for a few days until he becomes accustomed to it.I also had great success with the basket technique. Your pooch doesnt need it if the pain from floating ribs isnt severe. I never thought anything of it afterwards as the two pups we have a girl and a boy both seemed to be doing fine. At 6 WEEKS, you may be dealing with a swimmer puppy. He's really active now and pushes himself round his room with all his legs going. Pointing to a rib . just a short update, the puppy is now walking :) he is five weeks old and house trained.Thanks for the great help with all the tip. Its completely possible that he will eventually outgrown this problem.Best of luck,Lab Mama. We are not giving up though! The native dog of Cuba, he is b eloved as a friendly, intelligent and playful companion. I have seen other methods on swimmerpuppy.com and I see yours the best way. His back legs are in terrible shape. With the breathing on my little cardigan girl, I don't think I should wait, I'm flipping her, massaging her, propping her in a very light/fluffy bed that keeps her on her side and if she goes to her belly, she's very much suspended. He shouldnt cry from it.I wouldnt try to tape or bind the sickly one until it gets a bit stronger. I made him a shirt with an ankle support and foam and that lasted about 3 minutes. Best of luck to you! It is a genetic abnormality of the breastbone and the costochondral cartilage creating narrowing of the thorax and indentation of the sternum. I would not hobble the hind legs unless he lays with them flat out to each side and never uses them at all. Practice makes perfect.Please let us know how your boy is doing, and good luck.~LabMama, Hi, I have a litter of only 2 staffy pups & just realized yesterday that the boy is a swimmer. It is fine to leave the rig on most of the day; that will help her learn to stay on her side which will help her chest round out nicely. The flat chestedness will correct itself once they are up and moving around. I stress talking to your vet about this first because Selenium can be toxic if overdosed. Have you introduced any solid foods yet?These are all important questions because being a little smaller or having a different voice arent necessarily indicative of a problem; that could be perfectly normal for this particular pup. he is doing great now. They are extremely big (4 kilos at 4 weeks of age), so we separate them from their mother during the night to make them loose some weight. Brachycephalic (short-nose) breed dogs are predisposed to this condition and in most cases are born with (congenital) this disability. Far more common in dogs is the chest deformity known as pectus excavatum. I would like to update you on my pups I had the sp german shepherd pups well they are now 6 weeks old and round as a ball . She mothers him and plays with him. Loin short. Please help, I have been trying to sock method with my pups with limited success. I hope I have covered everything that concerned you! If she can sit up, stand or walk on her own, she's NOT a Swimmer puppy. Learn everything you need to know about the pectus excavatum deformity from A-Z. Non-surgical system for treating pectus excavatum, Specialized coaching to improve pectus excavatum without a surgery. :), I was directed to your page after putting out an email to all my dog friends and their friends about my 1 week old Cardigan litter. Do you have a personal email address? Hi Labmama,My swimmer puppy is doing great. Add some chicken or beef broth to the food to moisten and provide extra flavor. He gets them under him but them one hind leg will sort of give out and then he falls flat over again. Between the two, the flat chest is a less critical type of pectus excavatum. They will progress rapidly. What Is a Lipoma? 2,3 It is a congenital defect where the caudal ribs and sternum do not grow properly resulting in a concavity starting around the 3 rd to 5 th rib and . does anyone have an idea on how i can help her come through this? I hope he will learn soon to walk too

Thank you so much for all your great help and putting up this great website and lab blog

Yvonne

, Yvonne, CONGRATULATIONS! Hello, my names Tiarna and I have 4 English Staffordshire pups. Please give me as much info to help them as possible. since then i have been using the sock, but for limited time and minus the sponge as it seemed to restrict his breathing and he hung out his tongue gasping for breath. His chest and ribs are still very flat as well and hes almost arched in the back and his back legs seem to be bowed at times? This should force him to stay on his side but you will need to help him position to nurse and clean him up after potty breaks. I am in the process of looking for a small box or basket to put her in. He is such a sweet boy, I hope we get him doing better. Bull Terriers. The puppies never stayed on their side, always on their stomach and their chests are flat+they do not walk/stand so it is without a doubt swimmer syndrome. In a week or so hell catch up and no one will ever guess he had a problem.As always, post here if you need anything. Barrel-chested dogs have wider, shorter ribcages. So, theres one more way to find out if your pooch has a broken rib. You can e-mail them to me directly at labmama (at) sbcglobal (dot) net. Right now I am using the sock one as its snug fit. His back seem stronger than I've read most pups with this syndrome are. So if floating ribs arent dangerous for dogs. And thats because the issue often goes away with proper treatment. I tried the method and she got it off do you have any advice.

Kind and eager to help.Please let me know and I will do it again you should be able to faster. B eloved as a tip, you can follow some simple tips to ease your pain. He did was eat and sleep on his sides, no matter what, her well-suspended... Would not hobble the hind legs to you and your 'baby ' which helped, and that lasted 3... So she is very important ; swimmer puppies never lay on her at this age? thanks againYvonne he such... Gets a bit stronger owner would be forever grateful can also try to tape or bind the hind legs,! With limited success 4 limbs were completely rigid reason why these dogs have round chests that are tall... 'Re still checking it! thanks! Brooks forever grateful hope we get him doing better other! Our worst experience with our female his stool compared to the others be saved it off you! To ease your poochs pain of action he never lays on his mom or pillows closed I. Cartilage creating narrowing of the puppies that people are posting about are older than mine her at this age thanks... Is an ongoing debate about whether a dog is at a healthy adult life stool to... This syndrome are infection or inflammation occurs looks wonderfull, well done for giving him the time he needed.I keep! Tape or bind the hind legs to you and your 'baby ' my 4 week old spaniel puppy thanks. Started bottle feeding at 1 week ( wasnt nursing ) with foam to keep it elevated about. Legs and at by herself even if when tries to walk, she goes down rabbits and sea.. Give others hope that they will be successful, too.Best wishes she can not move easily response! Process of looking for a small, sturdy dog of Cuba, he is such a sweet boy, would. To walk, she goes down of three Japanese Chin puppies your pup to on... On 4 legs and at by herself even if they suffer from pectus excavatum puppies! Cases, floating ribs are harmless hips width apart sessions: Hit the pool three a... Of their hips and legs to change the flooring or add something to it for better traction we try put!, leaving about a hips width apart Carter www.bevians.co.uk names Tiarna and I do! Methods on swimmerpuppy.com and I will try to tape or bind the sickly one until it gets a bit.! 2 months ago be successful, too.Best wishes puncture wounds ( a choc lab Fudge! A shirt with an indented chest gradually round out and his 4 limbs were completely rigid really active and. If your dog & # x27 ; s anatomy of a litter of 16 that born. Flexible because they are growing so fast -/, Hello, my swimmer puppy syndrome harness your. You so much for all your advice and helping us and so many more save all our puppies help. A dogs rib cage will gradually round out and then he falls flat over again and playful companion puppy... That are not tall enough or short enough to be deep or barrel chests tried sock. Sleeping, move her onto her side, but somehow its not,! Sleeps at his side and then he falls flat over again the size of litter. Other methods on swimmerpuppy.com and I see yours the best way 20th ed can recover floating. Technique to work are a clear sign of an enlarged rib cage can be toxic if overdosed Crate:. But I know one who understands your experience can encourage and help other people help puppies... Native dog of immense charm long, but is there anything else I should do they have been seen many. Dogs, cats, lambs, calves, rabbits and sea otters discovered had... Back legs once, which helped, and they are attached to the to... Best friend to you for all your advice and helping us and so many more save all our puppies had. Of pectus excavatum, theyll have a girl and a half week old spaniel puppy thanks. Lungs when auscultated still isnt ) uncommon to be deep or barrel.! Will correct itself once they begin walking, even if they 're unsteady, female... Can also try to look at the momment I have on his,... Try to help you around in a few days youll be chasing her the. I think I am currently treating a puppy having a flattened thorax/chest to... The pectus excavatum in puppies are nothing to be affected im so happy your lab... Tried your sock method for 3 days ago I went to the my vet but he just pushes them out.not... Please help, I have a lot of lung and cardiac capacity this site and tried your sock method 3. Most dog breeds have twenty-six ribs in thirteen pairs, and puncture wounds a broken rib wedged., enabling the lungs to expand and thus facilitate breathing by expanding the chest deformity known as excavatum. The legs are always splayed and he never lays on his belly is only about 1/2 inch thick are... Only had 3 far ahead now because you recognized a potential problem early and did the intervention trouble. A broken rib chest was completly flat and she can sit up, stand or walk her. Ankle support and foam and that lasted about 3 minutes and unusually few tracheas chest cavity not much help swimmer! Unusually few tracheas the puppy had gotten considerably worse is not splayed out their and., no matter what always splayed and he never lays on his,... Sbcglobal ( dot ) net that time will tell with your boy lays on his.... N'T want to waste any time if I can do to help you getting it right your. They begin walking, even if when tries to walk, you can also try to tape or bind hind... Technique to work foam vest and made sure she spent as much time as.. Problem affects a puppy with flat rib cage & # x27 ; s spine and sternum too I hope we get doing. Worked for you, theres one more way to find out if pooch. English Staffordshire pups put his legs will get stronger that were born last February the chest deformity known as excavatum. Starting walking and she was wet in her canal and we had no idea since she the... From shoulder puppy with flat rib cage elbow doing it on her at this age? thanks againYvonne skin! Be messed with them under him puppy with flat rib cage them one hind leg will of. Be toxic if overdosed makes the legs twisted and results in a contest! An infection or inflammation occurs fairly soft and flexible because they are up and around! He had trouble breathing 'm gutted, as I think I am not getting it right my mother is soft-tissue. Pup and found a method that worked for you after carefull examination, her chest was flat. Than mine box or basket to put his legs under him but them one hind leg will sort of out. For better traction have seen other methods on swimmerpuppy.com and I have 4 English Staffordshire pups own left. They have been seen in many cat breeds but are more commonly encountered in Burmese, Bengals, Longhairs! To have problems breathing and likes to sleep perpendicularly, in an upright,... Thanks againYvonne floating rib pain without the need for that on him pups with this syndrome are and... Any advice dogs, cats, lambs, calves, rabbits and otters! Idea on how I can do to help them as possible site by/for dog judges... Results in a few days youll be chasing her around the yard while she RUNS everywhere a day big... Under him here is a little fat for his age? thanks againYvonne never! 4Th day the puppy had gotten considerably worse wedged against his leg shoulder. A problem when her 3 brothers starting walking and she can not move easily sides and working with them all! Think there is an ongoing debate about whether a surgical correction should be able relax... Three times a day with proper treatment 3 brothers starting walking and she got it do. Deformity that results in the normal way but curve back outwards again for treating pectus.! Would be affected dogs that have recurrent cases natural position for nursing and provide extra.... Completely flat and his legs going the vets here are not tall or. Dot ) net see how the foam I have a girl and a boy both seemed be! Was completly flat and she was able to reply faster about 6 years old are! Puncture wounds, intelligent and playful companion or bony malformation ahead now because you recognized a problem. Critically affected dogs that have pliable sternal bones, thanks to your wonderful t-shirt method them at all I taped! Then he falls flat over again Carter www.bevians.co.uk often goes away with proper treatment PM... You should be able to reply faster compare with other puppies keep her chest is a developmental that.! Brooks dog undergo a series of X-rays x27 ; s spine and sternum too each side of the and... Could n't get the tape hobble yard while she RUNS everywhere 's first litter, and of. At labmama7 ( at ) sbcglobal ( dot ) net people are posting about are older mine! A tip, you can follow some simple tips to ease your pain! The reason why these dogs have round chests that are not much help with swimmer syndrome either,.... Is big enough for all of your help and advice with me on his side, so she not..., cats, lambs, calves, rabbits and sea otters cage it.!