A recent event made me realize that a puppy’s body is made up of lots of complicated and fragile parts. And it only takes one small anomaly to change their future. We usually talk about the major diseases that turn a healthy dog into a disabled pet, but did you know there are little-known conditions that keep puppies from walking? Those diseases inspired me to share the story below.
A puppy with an unusual problem
A few weeks ago, I was contacted about a 9-week-old Labrador retriever puppy who is being trained for the Lucky Dog television show. Animal trainer Brandon McMillan noticed the puppy’s hind legs locked in place when he tried to walk. McMillan took the dog to several veterinary specialists for answers, but was coming up short. An acquaintance of McMillan reached out to Lessons From A Paralyzed Dog.
I contacted Cathy Erwin of Walkabout Harnesses to see if she had any ideas. Cathy is the brainy creator of the famous Walkabout lifting harness for paralyzed dogs. She is also one of the first canine physical therapists in the country. Cathy thought the puppy might have a condition called Straight Leg Shepherds. She explained how the deformity started in German shepherds, but was now being diagnosed other breeds and in mixed breed dogs. We sent the potential diagnosis to Lucky Dog.
I’ve never heard of Straight Leg Shepherds so I decided to investigate the condition. Here is what I found about the syndrome and other little-known conditions that keep puppies from walking.
Straight Leg (Legged) Shepherd
According to the Straight Leg Shepherds Association, puppies born with the problem have rigid hind legs that are unable to bend normally. The reason for the condition is unknown, but researchers at North Carolina State University refer to it as a “neurologic mutation deformity.” They think the condition starts in the nervous system of the body.
Affected dogs have stiff and restricted movement in their muscles. They also have deformities in the bones of their hind legs and hips.
The good news is that puppies adapt well to the condition and benefit from rehab therapy. Specialists work with the dogs to build up their core strength and balance. It makes it easier for them to stand on their own.
The SLS Association reported that symptoms were being reported over the last few years in breeds other than German shepherds.
Swimmer Puppy Syndrome
Puppies born with this condition have a very distinct look. Their chests and abdomens are flat and their legs are splayed. They hold their limbs out to the side like a turtle. Dogs have to paddle their limbs in order to move around. It looks like a swimming puppy.
Puppies with this syndrome have weak adductor muscles which are responsible for pulling their legs together. The condition can affect the front limbs, hind legs, or all four.
The cause of Swimmer Puppy Syndrome is unknown, but certain breeds are predisposed: Dachshunds, Yorkshire Terriers, West Highland White Terriers, English Cocker Spaniels, Basset Hounds, Pekinese, Cavalier King Charles, French and English bulldogs.
With treatment, most puppies recover from the condition. Owners are taught to massage their dog in a way that rounds out their flat chest and a harness is used to maintain the shape. The dogs also benefit from exercises to strengthen their limbs. Bands are placed on each pair of limbs to keep them from splaying and help the puppy stand.
While Swimmer puppies have the advantage of outgrowing the abnormality, they are also at risk for complications. Pressure from lying flat on their bellies predisposes them to breathing problems. Some of the dogs can’t get enough air into their lungs. Their flat stomachs also make them prone to spitting up milk and not getting enough nutrition. Other puppies can aspirate liquids and develop pneumonia.
Myasthenia Gravis
Myasthenia Gravis is a disease that interrupts the way nerves communicate with muscles in the body. The condition occurs when a neurotransmitter compound called acetycholine or ACh, stops working. This prevents muscles in the body from contracting which in turn causes general muscle weakness that gets worse with time. Eventually dogs lose the ability to hold themselves upright.
Puppies can be born with a congenital form of MG that appears during the first 6-8 weeks of life. Or Acquired Myasthenia Gravis can develop later. Dogs are affected between the ages of 2-4 years-old and 9-13 years-old. Early symptoms of the condition involve weakness in the esophagus and muscles in the face.
Like Swimmer puppy syndrome, dogs with MG can suffer secondary complications that hamper their ability to get enough nutrition. Their inability to swallow can lead to regurgitation of food and pneumonia. Many develop Megaesophagus.
UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine is studying MG. They conducted a small clinical trial where dogs were given series of plasma exchanges. All of the dogs improved during the course of the treatment.
Read more about conditions that keep puppies from walking.
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I have a 9 week old chihuahua puppy that can’t use his back legs to stand , but he can move them when he try’s to use them ..if I work with him can he possibly be able to walk ?
Laura, I’m sorry about your puppy. Your question is hard to answer without a diagnosis. Do you know the cause of his paralysis? Sometimes paralyzed dogs have involuntary movement in their hind legs, but it is hard to know if that’s what’s going on with your puppy. Was the dog born paralyzed? Could it be swimmer’s syndrome that is described in this post? I have another story that describes rehab exercises you can do at home, but please check with your veterinarian first. https://lessonsfromaparalyzeddog.com/6-rehab-exercises-your-handicapped-dog-can-do-at-home/
Let me know what your veterinarian thinks about your puppy’s condition. I can be more helpful at that point. Best wishes.
This is very interesting, Willy was paralyzed as a puppy from trauma to his lower spine and had other injuries from abuse and neglect, he has fused knees and thus straight legs.. I think this is the only reason he can stand for short periods.. is because his knees are fused like this(he has no feeling below his thigh). Very interesting to hear there is a condition that causes the straight legs he has, as a Shepard mix, im curious if it had anything to do with his leg fusion (or that’s what they presumed since they didn’t know for sure since his “owners” never took him to be evaluated). 🤔
Alyssa, Thanks for sharing your dog’s story. I saw your comment on Facebook and sent you a detailed reply, but basically I think you should reach out with your question to the Straight Let Shepherd Association mentioned in this post. I am not a veterinarian, but I don’t see how abuse would fuse your puppy’s legs. I’m so happy you saved your dog from a terrible life. It makes me wonder if your dog was abused because he had the deformity in his legs and didn’t walk like a typical dog. I’d love to know what you find out from SLSA.
The link above doesn’t lead to an association do you have another resources for the straight leg Shepard ? We have 3 foster puppies with straight legs (all German Shepard !)
Alyssa, Thank you for letting me know the Straight Leg Shepherd Association link was broken. I wasn’t able to find a new website for the group.
My shihtzu developed swimmers syndrome and my husband thought we should put him down, but I found a chiropractor who adjusted dogs, and happily, after two adjustments, my dog was back on hidd feet.
Peggy, you are a hero for not giving up on your dog. I hope your pup has a long and happy life.
My 10 month old gsd mix suddenly went weak on his back legs. He finds it hard to stand and sit. He finds pain in bending his knees he refuses to chew food and drink but I give him water mixed with yogurt so he will have water in his body. There is no clicking or popping heard but when he walks he has stiff legs. He has a healthy weight and a high back any ideas what that may be?
Nicola, thank you for reaching out about your dog. What has your veterinarian said about your German shepherd’s condition. I am not a veterinarian, but it sounds like he could possibly have a herniated disc. Dogs with straight-legged shepherd syndrome, discussed in this post, are born with the disease. The fact this came on suddenly and is painful for your dog to move are signs of an acute problem like a herniated (ruptured) disc. It is also very worrisome that he isn’t eating or drinking without your assistance. Please talk with your veterinarian to see what they think, but more than likely your puppy should be examined as soon as possible.
I have a dog with SLS! She was born from both purebred German Shepherd parents, and was the only puppy out of the 5 to have any medical issue. We noticed it when she was old enough to start walking, and she began walking around like a “mermaid”, dragging her legs straight behind her. We thought maybe she had a spinal injury, but her hips and spine were fine, she had control of her bathroom needs, and could still wag her tail. We tried massage therapy, swimming, standing her up, but her knees and ankles would not move at all. We didn’t expect her to thrive the way she is now! She just turned 3 this year, she walks normally despite not bending her back legs, even moving them individually! She runs as fast at her buddies, loves playing fetch, goes up and down sets of stairs, and surprisingly even went in heat around a normal time for a dog. She isn’t phased at all by it, and as my first dog I feel I was very lucky to have her. Zelda even had a custom made Legend Of Zelda themed collar!
Emily, Thank you so much for sharing your story. I’m glad you didn’t give up on Zelda and that she is living a wonderful life. Best wishes to you both.
I have a pit bull puppy who was sick with kennel cough for the first 2 weeks of life now that he’s better & eating he’s gained quite a bit of weight & he’s trying to walk but can’t get his legs up underneath himself to stand, he kinda looks like a seal with his legs spread behind him & his front legs are spread out wider than they should be, does this sound like the “swimmers” that was explained above?
Becky, you are entered in the giveaway.