Flat Chest Kit

Problem

Shallow labored breathing that develops after pups are a week or older. 

 Puppy develops a flat rather than rounded chest. This significantly reduces lung and heart function and the puppy may die. 

Diagnosis 

Typically starts at around day 10 when their eyes are opening and some puppies are swimming like a walrus with their back legs splayed out, rather than getting up on their legs to move. It’s quite common and easy to miss. 

Treatment. 

Tape back legs up and use a chest prosthetic.  Make sure the puppies have traction on the whelping crate floor. 

Leave the prosthetic on 24/7 until the puppy is up on its feet and the chest is no longer flat. 

2-7 days typically fixes the condition. Early detection and treatment is crucial.

Outcome 

Normal happy puppy with a nice rounded chest.

My experience and I’ve had a lot of it, is that flat chest puppies are bigger than the rest. This is very common in small litters where there’s not much competition for milk and milk supply is plentiful. Puppies are larger than normal and they don’t have to compete. They tend to lay around with their legs splayed out behind them and nurse on mum with little effort.

The pressure on their chest laying continuously on a flat surface, flattens the rib cage which reduces chest volume and impacts breathing, and  heart function. 

I’ve seen vets recommend that these puppies are euthanized. However, I have never had a puppy that I couldn’t fix by two simple methods, taping up hind  legs and using a chest prosthetic. 

The first sign of problems are around 7-10 days old, where puppies eyes are opening and they’re starting to move around more actively. Soon after that, they getting up on their legs and attempting to walk but one or two large fat puppies in the litter are slow to get to this stage, taping up their back legs forces them to get up off their chest to move around and in many cases, that simply fixes the problem.

But if the chest is notably flat then a chest brace should be used. The sooner you act the faster the condition is rectified.

How long do you have to install the brace, typically 2 to 7 days but as long as it takes for the chest to be obviously round not flat anymore.

What are the causes of a flat chest?Some Vets say it’s congenital and certainly this might be true in a few cases, but I don’t believe it’s true in most. From my experience, the majority  are  bigger, fat puppies . A Whelp box with a slick floor and no bedding for traction is asking for problems.  

A small  litter with a few large puppies are the most likely candidates.  Fat puppies start swimming around and don’t get on their feet and that puts pressure on the chest making it flat. 

Puppies bones are soft and not fully calcified for a few weeks. This is the time the rib cage can become deformed because of pressure. But also a time it can be corrected with treatment.

Regardless of cause, the treatment is the same. Tape the rear legs up, use a chest prosthetic and make sure they have bedding for traction. 

The chest in these puppies are noticeably flat. If allowed to progress, their breathing becomes shallow and labored and with out your intervention they are likely to die.

Many Vets  recommend euthanizing or suggest surgery. Surgery can’t be performed until the puppy is at least 6 months old and will have passed by then anyway!

This chest prosthetic is very simple to install or remove. Literally takes less than a minute.

Typically you will only need one size that can be adjusted as the puppies grow. 

Made from tough durable plastic that can be washed as needed. 

To decide which size to order measure the chest circumference behind the front legs. Just take a piece of string, wrap around the chest and measure its length. Choose the chest prosthetic that will match.

Sizes 

Chest circumference

Small 7-10″

Medium 8.5-11.5′

Large  10-14′

Pricing 

$24 ea. ($20 ea for three or more )

Shipping in the continental us

Free shipping US post. 2-7 days

2nd day FedEx $25

Overnight FedEx  $35

Call James  580-799-2873   to order

Payment by 

Venmo

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Check

Sorry I can’t take credit or debit cards

Need help call me

James chopping

Lovemypups 580-799-2873

Flat chest and swimmer syndrome is a serious threat to puppies. 

**Problem**  

Shallow, labored breathing starts when puppies are a week or older. The puppy’s chest becomes flat instead of rounded. This can greatly limit lung and heart function, which can lead to death. 

**Diagnosis**  

This condition usually appears around day 10, when puppies’ eyes begin to open. Some puppies swim with their back legs spread out instead of standing up to walk. This issue is common and can be easily overlooked.

**Treatment**  

Tape the back legs up and use a chest prosthetic. Ensure the puppies have traction on the whelping crate floor. Keep the prosthetic on 24/7 until the puppy is standing and the chest is no longer flat. Usually, this treatment takes 2-7 days. Early detection and treatment are essential.

**Outcome**  

You can expect a normal, happy puppy with a nicely rounded chest.

From my experience, flat-chested puppies are often larger than others. This is common in small litters where there’s less competition for milk. These bigger puppies tend to lie around with their legs spread out and swim like a walrus rather than walking or crawling.

When they lay flat on a surface, the pressure can flatten their rib cage, reducing chest volume and affecting breathing and heart function. I’ve heard vets recommend euthanasia for these puppies, but I’ve never seen a case I couldn’t fix with two straightforward methods: taping the hind legs and using a chest prosthetic.

The first signs of trouble show up around 7-10 days old when the puppies’ eyes open and they start moving more. Larger puppies in the litter may be slow to rise. Taping their back legs encourages them to get up from lying flat and often resolves the issue. If the chest is noticeably flat, a chest brace should be used. Acting quickly leads to quicker recovery. 

How long should you keep the brace on? Generally, 2 to 7 days or until the chest appears rounded.

What causes a flat chest? Some vets believe it is congenital, but I think that’s only true in a few cases. Most often, the problem stems from having larger, overweight puppies. A whelping box with a slick floor and no bedding for grip can lead to issues.

Small litters with a few big puppies are the most likely to develop this condition. Overweight puppies tend to swim around instead of standing, putting pressure on their chest and causing flattening.

Puppies’ bones are soft and not fully calcified for several weeks. This softness is when the rib cage can deform due to pressure, but it’s also when treatment can correct the issue.

Regardless of the cause, treatment remains the same: Tape their back legs, use a chest prosthetic, and provide bedding for better traction.

In these puppies, the chest is noticeably flat. If left untreated, their breathing becomes shallow and labored. Without intervention, they are likely to die.

Many vets suggest euthanasia or surgery. However, surgery cannot be done until the puppy is at least six months old, by which time it might be too late.

The chest prosthetic is easy to install and remove, taking less than a minute. Typically, you will need only one adjustable size as the puppy grows. 

It is made from tough, durable plastic that can be washed when necessary. 

To determine the right size, measure the chest circumference behind the front legs. Use a piece of string to wrap around the chest and check its length. Choose the chest prosthetic that fits.

**Sizes**  

Chest circumference  

Small  

Medium  

Large  

**Pricing**  

$24 each ($20 each for three or more)

**Shipping in the continental US**  

Free shipping via US Post in 2-7 days  

2nd Day FedEx: $25  

Overnight FedEx: $35  

To order, call James at 580-799-2873. 

**Payment options:**  

Venmo  

Cash App  

Apple Pay  

PayPal  

Zelle  

Check  

Sorry, I can’t accept credit or debit cards.

If you need help, call me.  

James Chopping  

Lovemypups 580-799-2873