Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Swimmer syndrome in a Devon rex kitten and an English bulldog puppy.
- Journal:
- The Journal of small animal practice
- Year:
- 2006
- Authors:
- Verhoeven, G et al.
- Affiliation:
- Department of Medical Imaging
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A three-week-old Devon rex kitten and a four-week-old English bulldog puppy were both diagnosed with "swimmer syndrome," a condition that affects how pets move. Their owners were told by several veterinarians that euthanasia might be the only option. However, the puppy received physiotherapy, and the kitten had both physiotherapy and bandaging. After several weeks of treatment, both pets were able to move normally again. The authors of the study emphasized that with dedicated care and intensive physiotherapy, pets with this condition can recover successfully.
Abstract
A three-week-old Devon rex kitten and a four-week-old English bulldog puppy were presented with "swimmer syndrome". The owners consulted several veterinarians who suggested euthanasia as the only possible solution for this condition. Physiotherapy in the puppy, and physiotherapy and bandaging in the kitten led to the resolution of the clinical signs and resulted in normal ambulation after several weeks. The authors concluded that intensive physiotherapy and dedication of the owner can lead to success.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17004956/