Alice pups *5 days*

[showpug]

Time is really flying by! I feel like she just had them yesterday and they are already 5 days old! All are over 12 oz. today.

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[jess2416]

Awwwww they are adorable :D :D

[milos_mommy]

my goodness they are pudgy!


they're getting cuter every day!

[Melissa_W]

Aw, they all look so happy.

[Baxter'smybaby]

look at those fat little pug butts! too cute!!

[MoonStr80]

TOO cute to be true! Those pups are gonna be so spoiled hehe Love the bankets! Alice looks very relax

[Maxy24]

OMG they are so rollie pollie, how adorable!

[Barb04]

Oh, the puppies are so cute. I just love seeing Alice with her family!

[FrenchKissed]

Those are some really nice puglets! Good luck with them in the ring!!!

[squirtsmom]

I c ould just kiss them all over.

[HoundedByHounds]

They look cute!
Make sure you are turning them onto their sides to nurse at times...less issue with swimmer pups that way. Also some stuffed toys of about beany baby size in the box also give them something to crawl over. Important when there's onyl a few pups...again to prevent swimmers. They look quite round so that'd be a concern...

Apologies if you already know this, ;)

[Renee750il]

OOOHHHHHH!!!!!! Way, way, way too much cuteness, lol!

[~Jessie~]

They are all sooooo cute! They look so soft :D

[showpug]

They look cute!
Make sure you are turning them onto their sides to nurse at times...less issue with swimmer pups that way. Also some stuffed toys of about beany baby size in the box also give them something to crawl over. Important when there's onyl a few pups...again to prevent swimmers. They look quite round so that'd be a concern...

Apologies if you already know this, ;)

Thanks for the tips. I have thought about swimmer pups actually. These puppies are very vigorous and climb ALL OVER each other and all around their box which isn't flat. There is a disc in there that they have to climb onto if they want heat. They can almost stand up on all fours already and seem very strong. I don't know if swimmers can do that? They nurse on their sides a lot, I just don't take pictures of them that way because they aren't as cute, lol ;) In fact, they twist and turn nursing and nurse upside down lol! They are gaining exactly what my repro vet said they should be gaining, so they aren't too fat for their age...

[HoundedByHounds]

They're fine as long as they can get those legs under them...flattening across the chest, down the sternum, is what to watch for.

They are lovely puppies. :)

[showpug]

They're fine as long as they can get those legs under them...flattening across the chest, down the sternum, is what to watch for.

They are lovely puppies. :)

Does sleeping on their sides and back help because that is how they sleep? Now I am totally paranoid, lol! :( :yikes:

[HoundedByHounds]

Yes...I always tried to encourage side and back sleeping rather than flat out all the time. The stuffed animals help with that to as they'd lay on those when they wouldn't lay on each other (hot weather here and thus they wouldn't pile with each other)

Don't worry "too" much but it never hurts to watch the chests. Be aware when a pup is struggling to stand, and make sure they have good traction, not blankets/papers that will slip out from under them.

Other folks have had success with egg crate foam under the pen as well for irregularity's sake.

[FrenchKissed]

Does sleeping on their sides and back help because that is how they sleep? Now I am totally paranoid, lol! :( :yikes:


Honestly pug. You can't "prevent" swimmers puppies. They either will or they won't. You can help a swimmers puppy survive by a change in surfaces but putting in toys an using egg crate surfaces, won't make a difference for those who are not going to get it.
Swimmers is genetic. Some lines have more tendancy for it than others. The problem can be exacerbated by obese puppies or puppies that are not getting enough room to move or puppies on a flat surface, but it won't create it where it will never occur. Which is also why some breeds seem more prone than others.
I don't know why some are prone and some are not, but I do think it has a lot to do with how fast the skeletal system hardens. Some puppies seem to retain a more cartilage elasticity than others therefor making their chests easier to flatten.
I have found with swimmers puppies, if maintained, once up on their feet (and it's important to get them up asap) it will often resolve on it's own. The lungs expand, push the chest out and when the puppy matures you would never know they ever had an issue.
The toys in the bed, more than anything, encourage the puppy to sit up, move, and climb. All which are things that remove the pressure on the chest and allow the body to correct the problem.

[showpug]

Thanks for all the info everyone. I have read about swimmers many times, but when it comes to my puppies, I panic, naturally. :o

[FrenchKissed]

Thanks for all the info everyone. I have read about swimmers many times, but when it comes to my puppies, I panic, naturally. :o



Another thing I have noticed is that puppies that are destined to develop it is that the sternum seems to be spongy.