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Alternative
Method
of SAVING A SWIMMER PUPPY
I just wanted to thank you for the information on your page
about swimmer puppies... I had an 'only child' who didn't have to fight
for a nipple, and just laid there, after nursing...flat chest, splayed
legs, unable to walk...just moved like a baby seal. I made several of the
sock braces as described on you page, and the more I studied them, the
more my poor brain got going.... I would stuff the sock with cotton balls,
which would then move under her armpits and force them out even further...
so I made a harness... I used 3/4 inch elastic and lot's of velcro... there
is a "garter " for each front
leg, with Velcro fasteners, to allow for growth. Then there is a
connecting cross strap between the front legs, again with Velcro.
Then there is another strap that goes up, over the shoulders, and connects
to the outside of the "garters".... again with Velcro. The over the
shoulder strap is positioned so that it runs over the outside of the elbow,
helping to hold it in. The pup didn't like it much at first, but as her
desire to get moving increased, she realized that the harness supported
what she couldn't do on her own, and it really helped. She wore it
for a week, and then just slept in it for a few days. Now she is
very mobile, her chest is reshaping to a more normal shape, and she doesn't
seem any less coordinated than any other pup her age...
Thought I would pass that along.... and again, thanks for your
page, it helped me to know that it was correctable, and helped to get me
thinking and developing this harness.
We also did allot of PT with this puppy, loosening the muscles and
tendons between her shoulder blades, to help allow them to lengthen and
allow her forelegs to assume the correct position. She is normal
now, and I thank you for your web page, and the help and encouragement
it gave me.
Mary Lemp
THANK YOU MARY,
for sending us the pictures of Tessie and your garter. It could very
well help save another swimmer puppy.Coreen
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Swimmer Puppy Recovery Methods
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