Puppies Were Left in a Tote, Unable to Walk—Watch the Moment I Figure Out Why…
When I walked into the shelter that day, I thought I was heading to the puppy ward. Instead, I was directed straight to medical, which is never a good sign. The staff warned me: these puppies weren’t just sick—they were in bad shape, possibly neurological.
I braced myself. And that’s when I saw two Husky mix puppies army crawling across the floor—legs splayed out, bellies flat on the ground, completely unable to walk.
Their bodies looked broken, but their eyes were full of life.
They Couldn’t Walk—But They Wagged Their Tails
At first, I thought maybe they had been hit by a car. But something didn’t add up. Their joints didn’t look broken. They looked… soft. Floppy. Their legs wouldn’t support them. As I got closer, they tried to crawl away—scared, not aggressive. I wanted to scoop them up and comfort them, but I didn’t want to cause pain. So I pulled out the ultimate trust builder: a treat.
One pup hesitantly took it. The other hid behind her sibling but eventually peeked out. That moment told me everything: they might be broken down physically, but their spirits were intact.
“Swimmer Syndrome” and a Call for Help
I’d seen a lot, but I hadn’t seen anything quite like this up close. So I called the one person I knew would get it—my wife Kelly. I told her, “These are the most adorable puppies outside of Kobe, Flip, Zoe, Snoop and Bean. But they have some serious challenges. We need a vet—fast.”
Kelly immediately got to work, reaching out to Kobe’s specialist to see if they could squeeze us in for an emergency consult.
Meanwhile, shelter staff suspected swimmer syndrome, a rare condition where puppies’ legs splay out because of poor muscle tone and joint development—often tied to malnutrition.
A Bigger Story Starts to Unfold
As I worked on getting the puppies medical help, Sergeant Ponder from Animal Control gave me more context. These puppies had been left in a tote by a gardener. The homeowner claimed they weren’t hers, but she had a history of adopting dogs and then dumping them. The puppies had no microchips, no vet history—nothing.
“She said they appeared deformed,” Sergeant Ponder told me. “When I scanned them, there were no chips. She claimed they weren’t hers, but I’ve had calls from this same woman before.”
He handled it professionally, but I could read between the lines: this smelled like backyard breeding. A cycle of adopting dogs, breeding them or collecting them, then discarding them when they became “too much.”
We’re Not Equipped… But We’re Doing It Anyway
After confirming with the shelter that the pups weren’t in immediate pain, I held them. Their bodies were soft and warm, heads bigger than their bodies, legs sprawled out like frog legs. One was braver, the other more cautious. Sisters.
I called Kelly again. “I know we’re full at Flip’s Farm, but… these two? They need us.”
Kelly hesitated. “We’re not equipped for this—rehab, wheelchairs, maybe even hospice.”
“I know,” I said. “But we’ll figure it out.”
A Glimmer of Hope at the Vet
The shelter helped us connect with Not Just 4 Paws, a vet clinic in Canyon Lake, and they got us in immediately—no small feat. That alone told me they understood how serious this was.
The vet took one look at the girls and said, “My concern is swimmer puppy syndrome—caused by poor nutrition in the womb or early life. Their joints are lax. Their bones are soft.”
“They seem happy though, right?” I asked.
“Oh yes,” she said. “They’re in good spirits, which is huge. No surgery needed, just rehab, proper nutrition, and patience.”
So What’s Next?
Now that we have a diagnosis, the girls are headed to Flip’s Farm. We’ll set them up with:
- Physical therapy and massage
- Range-of-motion exercises
- A special large-breed puppy diet
- Possibly hydrotherapy
- A whole lot of love
We’re also putting infection protocols in place. These girls won’t meet the other dogs right away—not until we’re sure they’re safe and stable.
The estimated cost? Upwards of $5,000–$10,000 per puppy. But I believe they’re worth it. Every single cent.
No Names… Yet
You might be wondering: what are their names?
They don’t have any. Probably never did. And I don’t want to rush it.
Naming a dog is sacred. Especially when their entire life has been filled with neglect. I want their names to mean something. I want them to feel known.
Got name ideas? Drop them in the comments. Kelly and I are taking this seriously. Whether we have a few weeks or a lifetime with them—I want them to leave this world knowing they were somebody.
Let’s Do This Together
This is one of those stories that could go either way. We could lose them. But we could win.
If you’d like to help:
- Donate—every dollar helps cover vet bills and rehab
- Buy Flip Coffee—all proceeds support the farm
- Become a member—you’ll get early updates, behind-the-scenes looks, and help fund these exact cases
- Send love—your comments mean more than you know
These girls are good dogs. From the moment they were born, they were good dogs. We’re going to make sure they feel that now.
Stick with me. We’ve got a long road ahead—but I have a feeling these pups are going to surprise us all.
What Is Swimmer Syndrome in Puppies?
Swimmer syndrome—also called flat puppy syndrome—is a rare developmental condition that prevents puppies from standing or walking normally. Instead of their legs tucking under their bodies to support weight, the limbs splay out to the sides or behind them. As they try to move, they often make paddling motions, which is how the condition got its name.
Veterinarian Dr. Madison Ricard explains, “Instead of the legs moving under the body ready for standing and walking, the legs remain splayed out beside or behind the body. Without early treatment, puppies with swimmer syndrome are permanently unable to walk.”
Swimmer syndrome is different from “swimmer tail,” a separate condition where a dog’s tail hangs limp. Swimmer syndrome affects posture, mobility, and in severe cases, internal development. It’s most commonly seen in smaller or brachycephalic breeds like Bulldogs, but any puppy raised in poor conditions—especially without proper nutrition—can be affected.
Causes & Risk Factors
Swimmer syndrome is believed to result from a mix of genetic, environmental, and nutritional factors. Some litters show signs of hereditary tendencies, with certain puppies affected while others are not.
Environmental factors like being raised on slippery surfaces can make it hard for puppies to gain traction, leading to abnormal development. Puppies who are overweight or grow quickly may also be at higher risk due to added strain on their joints.
Signs of Swimmer Syndrome
The most recognizable sign of swimmer puppy syndrome is the inability to stand or walk, often paired with:
- Limbs that are splayed to the sides or behind
- Flattened chest and belly
- “Paddling” motions instead of crawling
- Poor muscle tone and coordination
Puppies that still cannot bear weight by 20 days old should be evaluated by a vet immediately.
Treatment & Rehabilitation
Recovery from swimmer puppy syndrome is possible—but it requires time, patience, and consistency.
Treatment typically includes:
- Leg taping or hobbles to keep the legs under the body and in the correct position
- Slings or harnesses to help support the puppy’s weight and encourage walking
- Massage and physical therapy to build strength and improve circulation
- Range-of-motion exercises to help joints and muscles develop properly
- Hydrotherapy (once the puppy is over 6 weeks old), which allows for gentle movement without weight-bearing stress
- Proper diet, especially for large breeds or puppies recovering from malnutrition
Reddit users and veterinarians alike have shared success stories involving 24/7 leg taping (when done safely and checked daily), frequent physical therapy sessions, and a lot of hands-on care.
Environmental setup is also crucial. Puppies recovering from swimmer syndrome should be kept on non-slip surfaces like carpet or yoga mats, given soft bedding, and assisted with hygiene since many have trouble standing to eliminate. Learn more about Swimmer’s Syndrome.
