Has anyone ever noticed any unusual behavior in a puppy that has just been born for a few weeks but still can't stand or walk properly? If you notice that your fluffy four-legged friend has splayed legs or walks like a turtle, this could be a symptom of splayed legs syndrome in puppies.
Swimming Puppy Syndrome This is a disease found in newborn dogs where the legs are splayed out to the sides. It can affect either the front or back legs, or all four legs. The most obvious symptom is a “swimmer”-like movement. This is called this because the puppy has difficulty standing up and walking normally (usually from the second to fourth week after birth) and has a sideways-rowing-like movement while trying to walk around. It is also called flat-puppy syndrome because puppies spend most of their time prone and often have a flat chest. Collapse of the thorax may also be present.
SCause of abnormality
The exact cause of this syndrome is unknown. Many factors may contribute to its development, including bone, nutritional, neurological, genetic, and environmental factors. If ignored, it can result in disability or even death.
Treatment options are not well defined, but treatments such as physical therapy, bandaging, and massage have been suggested to be effective in some clinical reports. According to these reports, the prognosis varies depending on the severity.
gDiagnosis and care
Initially, if symptoms similar to those of splay-leg syndrome in puppies are observed, it is recommended that owners bring their dogs to see a veterinarian immediately to find the fastest possible treatment. If left untreated for a long time, the bone structure will develop abnormally and may prevent the dog from standing or walking. It is recommended that the dog be taken to an animal hospital for an X-ray to examine the initial bone structure.
Most veterinarians will treat with structural adjustments and physical therapy as follows:
1. Leg wrapping This involves realigning the legs and splinting them back to their normal position. A chest splint may also be used to prevent further collapse of the chest cavity.
2. Leg exercises with stretching and contraction It is a physical therapy method that uses exercises to prevent joints from sticking together. This is because if a dog does not use its legs normally for a long time, the joints may become stuck.
3. Standing training using equipment Use a cloth to lift the dog so it can practice standing. Position it so that it is standing with its feet touching the floor.
4. Hydrotherapy Or physical therapy using water, such as swimming to increase muscle strength and walking on an underwater treadmill to practice stepping.
In addition, the environment in which the puppy lives must be taken into account. For example, a floor that is too slippery can cause the puppy to slip and be unable to stand and maintain its balance. The floor should be changed or a non-slip mat should be placed in that area. Maintaining cleanliness is also essential, as most puppies with this condition have flat chests that are close to the floor. This reduces the chance of them sleeping on excrement and developing skin diseases in the future.
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