Swimming Syndrome in Two Labrador Puppies

developmental abnormality observed in neonatal dogs in which the hind limbs and sometimes the front legs, are splayed laterally. Synonyms are swimmer syndrome, flat-pup syndrome, twisted legs, turtle pup, splay leg (paraparesis), splay weak (tetraparesis) and myofibrillar hypoplasia . This abnormality is most commonly seen in chondrodystrophoid and brachycephalic dog breeds that have short legs and wide thoracic cavities. English Bulldog, Basset Hound and Scottish Terriers are especially predisposed to this syndrome. Association with pectus excavatum has been previously reported . Affected animals often remain in sternal recumbency exhibit swimmer like movements at the time of trying to ambulate that are more pronounced on smooth surfaces. In an other Kafkas Univ Vet Fak Derg 15 (4): 637-640, 2009