Question:
Hello,

So here's the situation, my grandma's english cocker had 3 pup's 2 weeks ago today. They were all normal at birth, but then after a week we started to notice one of the pup's wasnt gaining wait and is chest was becoming flat. Now she's half the size of her two sisters and her chest is very flat. She doesnt seem to be in any pain and moves around alot. She wont latch on to a teat unless another pup starts sucking on it first and were having trouble bottle feeding her. We brought her to the vet's and all they said was she has a problem with her diaphragm and that she might live but most likely not. I read up on swimmer puppies and it sounds like that might be her problem, but her legs arent splayed and she crawls around fine.....We seperated her from her sisters cause they were lying on her and that probably wasnt helping the situation any, and were trying to feed every hour or so, either bottle feeding putting her in alone with her mother. If anyone has any advice on how to help her out or any similar story's the help would be greatly appriciated!!

Thanks a Bunch

Answer:
Since there are very few breeders on this forum (which is pro spay-and-neuter), I doubt you'll get much info... sorry about the little one.

Answer:
She won't latch on to the teat because she most likely doesn't have enough suction to get the milk flow going. That's why she wants the teat once another pup has started the flow. Yes, flat chest can mean swimmers and the long term prognosis is not great if that's the case. You'll have to keep an eye on her and place her on a nipple once another pup has started, then move that pup along to another. Young pups not feeding well can dehydrate quickly so keep an eye on her by pinching back the skin by the neck... it should bounce back to normal within a count of 2 steamboats.

Answer: