Factors contributing to the swimmer puppy syndrome found in Labrador retrievers.

Background: Swimmer puppy syndrome is a disease found in neonatal puppies mainly characterized by the inability to stand, but its direct cause is unknown. Since swimmer puppies were observed infrequently but continuously among the Labrador retriever colony at the Hokkaido Guide Dogs for the Blind Association in Japan, based on their birth record and pedigree, factors related to the onset of swimmer puppy syndrome in Labrador retrievers were examined.

Results: The total number of offspring over seven years was 436, of which 16 were swimmer puppies.