June 2010
Limber tail, is an excruciatingly painful condition that seems to affect swimming breeds of dogs such as Labs. Usually the day after they are swimming or have had a bath with cold water, their tails are extremely painful, usually at the base. They will react painfully if you attempt to lift their tail, or touch them near the tail base. Often they will walk with their tail tucked.
Cold water tail, dead tail, broken wag, broken tail are all common names for an occurrence among sporting breed dogs. While Labrador Retrievers appear to be especially prone to this injury, it has also been seen in different sporting breeds.
This affliction is described to be when a dog's tail hangs down from the base or is held horizontally out approximately three inches and then drops down. The dog may seem uncomfortable and show some pain.
The cause of limber tail is still unknown but has been associated with swimming in water that is too cold or even too hot and cage transport. It is also believed that it can be caused by the motion the tail makes while swimming which can overwork the muscles in the tail or from excessive tail wagging. A combination of these factors could also be the cause in developing this condition.
We have found those dogs who are very enthusiastic tail waggers both in and out of the water may be more prone to strain their tails. After a long winter of no swimming those dogs who use their tails as full rudders may suffers swimmer’s tail until their tail becomes conditioned to long swims again.
Sporting dogs may be more prone to this injury due to the way they use their tails during hunting and swimming. Studies that are being done are showing this syndrome to be similar to muscle fatigue and the overworking of the muscles in the tail. The syndrome can effect both male and female dogs and effecting dogs ranging in ages from 6 months to 9 years.
The main treatment for limber tail syndrome is to just let the dog rest and leave the tail alone. Recovery can be seen within a few days but can take up to two weeks. Anti-inflammatory drugs administered early by a qualified veterinarian may hasten the recovery.
Many times there isn't a way of preventing the injury because sporting dogs love water and it is there natural instinct to hunt. However you can try not to keep your pet confined in a kennel for long periods of time and if you do hunt with your dog, conditioning is important especially in younger dogs. Allow your dog to rest during vigorous exercise. Regardless of the weather, keep your dog's bedding dry and when traveling, allow your dog to stretch frequently.
Even though limber tail may be rare when compared to the entire dog population, it is common in pointing and retrieving dogs. Dogs that have been afflicted have a one in three chance of a reoccurrence and a small percentage of affected dogs may experience permanent damage showing signs of a distorted tail posture.
This odd occurrence with sporting dogs has been known for many years among sporting dog enthusiasts. When an average individual owns a sporting dog and this occurs, the first reaction is that the dog has a broken or damaged tail. This occurrence has also been misdiagnosed by veterinarians. If your pet shows these types of symptoms and the symptoms last longer than two days, it is recommended that you take your pet to the veterinarian. A simple x-ray can give piece of mind and let an owner know if there is internal damage to the tail. The treatment is pain medication in the form of NSAIDs (non steroidal anti-inflammatory drug) such as Metacam and rest.
Limber Tail Syndrome
Some dogs which have nice otter tails hold their tail like this while they are standing at rest. The minute they start to move, the tail comes back up to a normal position. Totally different than the dog which has "cold tail".
Typically the presentation is a young adult dog with an acutely flaccid tail that hangs down from the tail base or is held horizontally for 3-4 inches and then drops down The tail remains in this position even when the dog moves about. Their tail may be tucked or appear to have ‘fallen’ straight down and hang.
