Swimmer puppies HELP!!!!

[Guest Anonymous]

I recently rescued a litter of puppies and their mother the puppies are about 4 weeks old. 2 possibly three are swimmer puppies(Front legs out to the side,Flat chest,cant move basically) I don't know what to do I have never had this problem before as I always raise my puppies on Carpet. The person I rescued them from had them on Concrete of all things and I blame that for the swimmer syndrome. Anyways I have been moving them to the teats every time they are whining to eat (because they can't move) and I have been massagin them is their anything I can do? Will they grow out of it?Do they have to be euthanized? Any long term health problems? Any advice or links would be greatly appreciated.

[eggrolyn1223]

http://www.showdogsupersite.com/kenlclub/breedvet/swimmers.html
Go on google and just type swimmer puppies and there will be lots of stuff

[Poofy]

First. Change the surface that they are on. An eg crat matress with a secure sheet over it is a good surface. Not flat, not hard, with texture. You can also band their front legs together. But you will need help doing this, like a vet, so you won't cut off the circulation and cause damage. But if you can get those legs forward just for a few days, the cartilage in the puppies should be soft enough for it to bend back. Then leave them on the egg crate surface to keep them from going flat again.
Talk to your vet about designing a front end splint.
Good luck.

[Guest Anonymous]

You can massage the chest to bring it back. The egg crate mattress pad works good, Most dollar stores have them and much cheaper than other stores. Until you get it be sure there are plenty of blankets, wrinkled, not smooth. You can roll up old socks to put under the blanket to create bumps. You will have to be able to put them on mom every feeding. Tiring but necessary. Do they use the front legs to knead when nursing? I wouldn't hobble until the pups are a bit older. When they are able to stand.