Question How can I prevent getting blisters from running?
I really enjoy running but my feet are the problem. Every time i go running i get blisters on inside of my arch. I have bought the recommended runners, i have used all sorts of blister plasters/socks/supports but always end up in pain a couple of miles down the road. Any suggestions?

Best Answer If you get blisters on your arches they your shoes don't fit correctly. Either your arch is too low for your shoes or your shoes arent the right size so your arch is support is in the wrong place. Go talk to someone from a running store. Also, I saw that I bunch of people recommended socks. A moisture wicking sock is definitely a must, but wearing a cotton sock wouldn't cause blisters in such a specific location as the arches. Arch blisters aren't normal by any means (toe blisters are). Get fit for shoes.

Question What can we do for "swimmer" symdrome puppies?
We have a male Bulldog pup that we caught at 3 weeks old. We have him in a sock sling supporting his chest, with cotton ball stuffing, and forcing him up.? He has showed some improvemet in the last 48 hours, but what else can we do to help him? Thank you, I had read that same bit of information on many sights. It seems to be the most popular, but I am wanting to know things other people have had success with on their "swimmer" puppies. We do have the puppies on special made beds that are frabricated from a heavy foam and formed up 6 inches on the side. The beds measure 32"x48" and are covered in a thin, soft, textured blanket. The foam is spray foam and offers support along with lots of ridges, bumps, rolls, and textures to assure the puppies and mothers are very comfortable. I also am doing leg exercises with him. He is no longer allowed to nurse or sleep on his tummy, I hold him on his side until he is willing to nurse and sleep that way. I play with him and remove the sock sling once a day to encourage him to hold his own weight. It all seems promising, but most of the things I have done did not come from a mass post, but from individuals who have experienced it. Any helpful stories on "swimmers" is welcome! Boyd's Bullies, to answer your questions, he is an English Bulldog. He is over 3 weeks old. I didnt know what it was called, but I knew the first time I picked him up that he had it. It took 3 weeks of researching to find what it is. LOL It is hard to look for someting in a search if it has no name. Our local vet checked them when they were first delivered, but she didnt say much about it, except lets see what happens, it is still early. When the other puppies could walk and he couldnt, I knew it was time to see what happened. I started searching and sure enough there it was. I have had several litters of pups in my life, but never one that held his legs outlike he did the first minutes of life. I even told my fiance that he had leg issues. No one believed me until the past week when he was still on his flat little tummy and chest and swimming, but not walking. I guess they will listen next time. Boyd's Bullies - I could tell from how he held his body straight and his legs went back further than his tail bone when he arched. I think he was about 30 minute to an hour old. Further more I have read where several people say you can tell as soon as an hour. My "THEORY" of the cause is comes from my knowledge of the breed, my knowledge of the mother dog, and previous experiences with litters. In my theory I can explain how genetics can play a role, as to how everything from floor to food also could contribute. Again this is strictly my OPINION! Since it is more common in low litters with heavier breeds and the puppies affected seem to be the over sized ones, I personaly believe it is a combination of how the mother dog carries them and her diet. If she is not eatting a balanced, healthy diet she will tend to have over weight puppies. As well as with a better quality diet the developing puppies will get more nutrients, thus being stronger. I also believe from viewing the ultra sounds from this litter, that the mother dog carried this puppy in a manner that he didnt have room to fully develop the muscle structure needed to support his body. That combined with the fact he didnt have the instint to turn over when he was awaken from sleep make me think there is a genetic link. He lacked the instint to nurse or had a lack of energy or effort to fight for it. Although, not a genetic disorder, I feel it is genetically linked to the physical features of the female. It is like the difference in some mother dogs having 14 tits and some having as few as 6. That is a genetic trait that affects how and how many pups she can raise. The way a dog carries her young and how the young are carried can easily be linked to genetics. In my opinion, the puppies are too big to get the movement they need before birth to build the back legs. That with the extra weight and size tire the puppy out when it tries to eat or fend for itself. So when the puppy lacks the motivation, it could be that he is too tired and just physically not strong enough to gain ground like the other puppies. Once the puppy is born, if you keep in on ground it can get traction, watch its weight, and teach it to eat and sleep on its side, it is almost sure to avoid getting the flat chest. Everything I have read has led me to believe that catching it early and preventing the flat chest is the cure. So, genetics and enviorment both are contributing factors in my opinion. With good nutrition and knowledge of the correct enviorment, there shouldnt be a problem with "swimmer" syndrome. Sadly, so many people raising dogs are not aware there is even a problem and lots of these puppies are lost by 4 weeks of age due to other health related issues. Pnuemonia being one of them from the chest compression. I hope I have not offended people. I did run my ideas by several breeders and our vet and they all agree that it is possible. Thanks Again

Best Answer Mandy, We had a swimmer our first litter. I know it can be scary and frustrating when you are new to it. We used the sock method from the websight listed below in the sources. One thing that is important in Bulldogs is to watch their weight. As they get stronger they are also getting heavier and being over weight is one more issue to contend with when they try to carry their heavy little bodies around. Another method that my vet suggested was water theropy. It was suggested to place the puppy, head above water, in water deep enough the feet touch the surface and the puppy will build up fast from the exercise in the water. It sounds very much like water areobics to me. LOL I have spoken to several people who say that is worked when the sock slings and tying the legs weren't showing the progress they wanted. One important factor that I see left out of a lot of answers and information is the fact that you need to wash the puppies belly area, especially if it is with other puppies. Since swimmers can not pick themselves up they are dragging their bellies across filth, potty, dirt, and hair just to name a few things lerking there. It is more than possible for a male puppy or even female puppy to get a form of diaper rash from the urine. SInce the swimmer cant stand to urinate, guess where it settles, right under their belly. Just take a damp warm rag or even a baby wipe a few times a day and clean the area. I used a soft terrycloth rag with warm water and, some people are germ-a-phobs and use antibacterial wash. This is fine too. The diaper rashes can easily turn to staph infections and other issues that will only discourage you and further cause discomfort to the puppy. Change the bedding regulary to help cut down on risk of infection. One more thing to consider is that the cause is still specualtion in the medical field. SInce you can not single out a cause, please consider not breeding the puppy. It has been documented that swimmer puppies have occured in the same females time after time. I would consider not breeding the female again, unless you know the female and this is an isolated experience. I still would not breed the puppy. Please keep me posted and let me knwo it this helped. I have a few questions as an after thought..... What breed of puppy do you have? What is the age of the puppy? When did you first discover the swimmer syndrome in the puppy? Have you seen your vet yet? P.S. The source below has some really encouraging stories of other swimmer successes. It is worth a look! OKAY!!! NOW YOU HAVE MY ATTENTION. I AM CURIOUS WHAT MAKES YOU THINK YOU KNOW WHAT CAUSES SWIMMER SYNDROME AND WHY YOU ARE LOOKING ON HERE IF YOU ARE SUCH AN EXPERT. I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF KNOWING AT BIRTH! AND I AM NOT SURE I COULD TELL WHICH ONES AT BIRTH MYSELF. PLEASE EXPLAIN