Swimmer syndrome is a disorder suffered by cats and dogs. Although its cause is not exactly known, it is usually the result of disproportionate breeding of puppies and the crossing between parents, children and siblings. Because of this, puppies have difficulty walking from the second or third week of being born. The life prognosis of these pets is high and they recover in 90% of cases , so you should not worry if your furry has this disorder.
We know that a dog has this syndrome because it is unable to keep its head up, its chest is flat, its limbs are stiff, and it also does not maintain balance while sitting or standing. Likewise, its body posture is completely close to the ground and with its legs open , as if it were swimming breaststroke (like a frog).
In most cases, both dogs and cats manage to recover with physical therapy, although ignorance causes many breeders and pet owners to abandon them to their fate and until recently they were euthanized. Although the treatment will depend on the needs of the animal and the opinion of the veterinarian, the furry will have to perform physical therapy on a daily basis , with four or five sessions a day for ten minutes being the most recommended. Likewise, most puppies are put on adhesive plaster bandages to achieve greater stability when walking.
Swimming helps puppies stay upright and move their legs , making it one of the most complete exercises. However, it is preferable to go to canine rehabilitation centers where in addition to providing you with all the necessary material and information, they will look for the technique that best suits the animal.
Regarding the adaptation of the home where the puppy will live, it is important that the floor is non-slip to avoid damaging or further flattening the sternum. In addition, the owner will have to control the weight of the furry in order to avoid complications. If you want to learn more about this syndrome and discover what the rehabilitation process is like, do not miss the following gallery.
