oakeydoak1 Posted August 27, 2011 Share Posted August 27, 2011 Hi All I have a litter of BC pups that are a week old. I was not home when they were born (but luckily hubby was), since i got home when they were a day old, I noticed a couple of them sleep with their front legs pointing straight back underneath them. I have read everything i can on swimmer pups as this was my first reaction but it doesnt seem to match with my babies. When the move, they seem to bring their front legs up underneath them and walk, only occasionally when they are very sleepy will they just "push themselves along" however i have been putting them in a pillow slip and hanging them, the will lye on their sides occasionally, there is not sign of htem being flat chested. They are now a week old, I do feel the hanging may be helping but was wondering if any one else has an experience similar. Any thought would be greatly appreciated. Have attached a photo for you to try and see what I mean. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted August 27, 2011 Share Posted August 27, 2011 (edited) No photo...... but often pups do sleep like seals, with their little legs pointing backwards .... .. The swimmers I've sen had legs which stuck out sideways- they could not roll over and lie on their sides, and their chests were flattened underneath.. I would be getting some 'egg carton' foam mattress .. or putting actual egg cartons under the bedding so they get more exercise ...I've not heard of hanging pups in a pillowcase... edit : IMO It is very important that all pups have a flooring/bed which provides good grip .. not slippery newspaper or sheets ..and also not perfectly flat Edited August 27, 2011 by persephone Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oakeydoak1 Posted August 27, 2011 Author Share Posted August 27, 2011 (edited) Whoops try again Persephone with the photo, but that is the ideal description, they look like seals. Got the hanging idea from the Swimmer pups thread, I put the egg foam in the bed and mum destroyed it within 10 mins, so have lots of rolled up towels etc and it is all nice and lumpy so they have to climb ETA, I have removed all newspaper and put in dry bed, towels and their new bedding is something they can really grip in to mum hates having hte bedding flat anyway so it is always lumpy!!! Edited August 27, 2011 by oakeydoak1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SwaY Posted August 27, 2011 Share Posted August 27, 2011 A whole pinned thread on Swimmer pups http://www.dolforums.com.au/topic/157516-swimmer-pups/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oakeydoak1 Posted August 27, 2011 Author Share Posted August 27, 2011 Thanks, Sway I read all of it, and I really dont think my puppies are like that but hadnt seen them do anything like this before, you get overprotective, especially when you see something you havent before! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hilaryo Posted August 27, 2011 Share Posted August 27, 2011 Doesn't sound like swimmer pups to me You can't miss a swimmer rib cage once it's formed, it's the opposite of what it should be. Flat where it should be coming to a ridge in the middle and pointed edges at the sides. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
piper Posted August 27, 2011 Share Posted August 27, 2011 A couple of my bigger boys were doing that in the first week or so and I worried they would become swimmers as well. All I would do was when I went in if they were laying like that and sleeping was to either bring their legs forward or roll them onto their sides. I also found they were at the milk bar the most so would take them off and put them the other side of the box a few times a day. I don't know if they would have become swimmers or not, but I figured they were a couple of easy things to do that couldnt do any harm and might just help. Both pups were up and walking about the same time as the rest of the litter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oakeydoak1 Posted August 28, 2011 Author Share Posted August 28, 2011 Thanks all, that is good to know. Once again, your advice has been fantastic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted August 28, 2011 Share Posted August 28, 2011 of course, we now need more photos as they grow ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tapua Posted August 28, 2011 Share Posted August 28, 2011 I had a couple of kelpie pups who did that a few years ago - like you I thought they were swimmers or something was structurally wrong with them. But by about 10 days they were holding their shoulders in the right position, they had always fed well so I wasnt concerned after that - but yes its weird the first time I saw it. The wheels were spinning in my little head until they righted themselves. So I guess as long as they are feeding OK and they can get up when they need to - I think you will find they will work it out themselves Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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