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Swimmer Puppies
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An infrequent,
puzzling phenomenon is the litter in which many, if not all, of the whelps
become strangely deformed sometime in the first two weeks of life. A flattening
of the thorax and abdomen, top to bottom, becomes evident about a week
after birth from some unknown cause. It happens most often in the dwarf
(chondrodystrophic) breeds but has been seen in the German Shepherd Dog
and other breeds.
Instead of the thorax developing normally into a progressively deeper
tube from the prosternum/neck area to the diaphragm, it forms more of
a flattened cylinder with the height from floor to spine about the same
all the way back to the loins, and perhaps even lower midway down the back.
The forechest, instead of dropping from the prosternum to the last sternal
vertebra, may even be concave, and as time goes on the puppy becomes even
more pancake shaped.
As the ribs bow out, the heart and other organs may be pushed into
the pleural cavity and displace or decrease the air volume of the lungs;
as a result, pups become lethargic, lacking in energy and strength. By
the third to fourth week, when normal pups would be running around, affected
pups have not yet learned to push themselves up into a standing position.
If the extended limbs, especially front legs, are moved at all, it is with
a paddling motion to the sides, hence the disorder is called "Swimming Puppy
Syndrome." "Swimmers" have very poor circulation, respiration, and ability
to swallow food or keep milk in their stomachs, and as they are old enough
to wean, are very slow when eating from pans. Stifles may be rotated underneath
the belly, patella's are often luxated, and other orthopaedic or osteochondral
defects may be noted. Many die from
inhalation pneumonia (from inspiring regurgitated milk) or other
forms of respiratory failure.
If swimmers are not given some sort of therapy, there is a less
than even chance they will survive to eight weeks. Those that do manage
to live, only begin to walk at or after this age. A 1981 Veterinary Medicine/Small
Animal Clinician report on a litter of Shepherd pups, five out of six
of whom were swimmers, mentions one pup that started walking by nine weeks
old, but by six months was still unsteady and slightly undersized (female,
40 pounds). Because she tired rapidly, even after only moderate exercise,
she was euthanised. Autopsy showed that her vertebra/rib joints were enlarged,
but internal organs seemed normal in appearance. Based on this sort of
evidence it's possible to conclude that there might be another cause for
the weakness other than ventro-dorsal compression. Many factors have been
accused of contributing to the syndrome, both environmental and some of
unknown genetic origin. For awhile, most people blamed slippery floors,
but I've raised all my litters on smooth, impervious flooring covered with
newspaper and have never had a swimmer in my own operation. The VM/SAC report
mentioned above involved excellent footing in the whelping/nursing box: clean,
dry, rough surfaced indoor/outdoor carpeting.
Until this report, it was generally believed that such a floor would
prevent swimmers from developing.
Some Dachshund breeders told me they were fairly successful in correcting
the syndrome by putting each of the pups in a sling for at least part
of each day. This practice encouraged them to make contact with the floor
with their pads. Some tied hobbles to the front legs to keep them under
the body and the elbows close together. This, they felt, prevented the front
legs from becoming spread-eagled. Dish shaped nests of straw have also been
suggested, but not only does that present the danger of filthy conditions,
it isn't practical. A modification of the idea has also been proposed:
put the whole whelping/nursing area into a sling thus making the "floor"
more like a hammock with the canvas or vinyl suspended at the corners and
edges and lower in the centre. I doubt the efficacy of any of these, but,
as sailors used to say, "Any port in a storm."
Other therapy which may be beneficial, although tiresome and time
demanding of the breeder, includes massage (passive exercise), administration
of vitamin E (with selenium added if they're not getting solid food yet;
let your vet advise, as it's easy to overdose selenium, which is then
toxic), taping hobbles to prevent splaying, and suspension in warm water.
The last-named is probably the most promising if either active or passive
movement can be induced. Thus, swimming (the real kind, in water) may help
correct the swimming syndrome. Whirlpool baths are beneficial for partially-paralyzed
or weak adults such as those suffering from coonhound paralysis, but of
course the waves in such a tub would overwhelm a 3- to 6-week-old puppy.
Therefore, hold him in your hand or a sling, with support to keep his head
up out of the water, and let him paddle for a while in warm water (probably
around 75 to 80 degrees F to prevent chilling), but take him out and dry him
thoroughly if he tires. As many of these sessions as you can manage should
help the pup to develop co-ordination, muscle development, and better circulation
while putting much less weight on his body. Your hand or makeshift sling plus
the buoyancy of the water will take the weight off the chest. Finger manipulation
of his limbs would be a good idea, too, while he's in the water, but also
when he's out.
What to do with "Swimmers"? Everyone has to make up his own mind,
but there is always the somewhat eugenic approach: if there are pups
born and reared in the same conditions and who never develop the disorder,
then there must be a genetic component. How "large" that is, is a guess,
but some would say that such pups should never be bred, nor their parents
bred again. Further, that it might be economically wise to put such dogs
down and spend one's money and time on dogs that could be of more benefit
to society or the breeder or owner. It's your decision.
COPYRIGHT
© Fred Lanting
Reprinted with kind permission of Fred Lanting Author of The Total German Shepherd
Dog
This
is the expanded and enlarged second edition, a "must" for every true
GSD lover. It is an excellent alternative to the "genetic history" by
Willis, but less technical and therefore suitable for the novice, yet
very detailed to be indispensable for the reputable GSD breeder. Chapters
include: History and Origins, Modern Bloodlines, The Standard, Anatomy,
The German Shepherd in Motion, Shows, Showing, and Training, The Winners,
Nutrition and Feeding, General Care and Information, Health and First Aid,
Parasites and Immunity, Diseases and Disorders, The Geriatric German Shepherd,
Breeding, Basics of Genetics, Reproduction, Whelping, The First Three Weeks,
Four to Twelve Weeks, Trouble-shooting Guide
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The above information is simply informational.
It's intent is not to replace the advice of a veterinarian nor to assist you
in making a diagnosis of your pet. Please consult with your own veterinarian
for confirmation of any diagnosis. Your pets life may depend on it.
