ziplex Posted March 25, 2010 Report Share Posted March 25, 2010 (edited) My little Springer has been holding her tail in a strange way......it stands away from her butt for a few inches as normal then droops. When she has a pee she seems to be holding it more or less straight out and can wag it ok. Generally though she's walking around with this sad looking apendage at the moment, (it does appear she's consciously holding it this way). I can't see any wound or feel any breakage but her 'bits' seem to be a little swollen, no discharge or anything, not off her food and excersizing ok. Any ideas? if she was a bit flat i'd take her straight to the vets but she seems fine otherwise...i'm wondering if she's either sprained it wrestling with the Pointer or maybe about to have her first season? Not experienced this tail issue before so advice welcome Edited March 25, 2010 by ziplex Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spaniel Posted March 25, 2010 Report Share Posted March 25, 2010 If her bits are bit swollen she could be coming on heat. My two go a bit sheepish and also hold their tales differently while on heat How old is she now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pigeon toes Posted March 25, 2010 Report Share Posted March 25, 2010 Is she dragging her bum?Sounds like this could be blocked anal glands.A vet will squeeze the muck out of them unless you feel like doing it yourself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lewis Posted March 25, 2010 Report Share Posted March 25, 2010 Sounds like she is coming into season. Look out for small drops of blood to be certain Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ziplex Posted March 25, 2010 Author Report Share Posted March 25, 2010 If her bits are bit swollen she could be coming on heat.My two go a bit sheepish and also hold their tales differently while on heat How old is she now I guess 10-11 months now Ian, never had any of my other Springers hold their tail like this when coming into season though...I was grabbing at straws but it could be then..... Is she dragging her bum?Sounds like this could be blocked anal glands.A vet will squeeze the muck out of them unless you feel like doing it yourself. No, no dragging......the Pointer had this problem a while back and I sure wouldn't want to have a squeeze myself thanks , she certainly hummed for a while until it cleared Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spaniel Posted March 25, 2010 Report Share Posted March 25, 2010 mine will keep their tails very tight to their body, some times i think they have them stuck, but as soon as they are out playing the tag wags as norm. They will get the same sort of prob if they have been playing in cold water, the tails sort of droops and goes tight to their leg, but if her bits are looking swollen its a sign that they are coming on heat.. I dont bother training mine when on heat to be honest and they stay in the garden. just keep an eye on her as i expect she feels a bit strange so you may find she keeps near you more, well thats what my two seem to do Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ziplex Posted March 25, 2010 Author Report Share Posted March 25, 2010 mine will keep their tails very tight to their body, some times i think they have them stuck, but as soon as they are out playing the tag wags as norm.They will get the same sort of prob if they have been playing in cold water, the tails sort of droops and goes tight to their leg, but if her bits are looking swollen its a sign that they are coming on heat.. I dont bother training mine when on heat to be honest and they stay in the garden. just keep an eye on her as i expect she feels a bit strange so you may find she keeps near you more, well thats what my two seem to do I'll keep an eye out for the usual signs of a season and see what happens, certainly no signs of blood as you'd expect just yet anyhow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest stiv24 Posted March 25, 2010 Report Share Posted March 25, 2010 It sounds like what the vets call swimmers tail. My pup had the same, normal tail for 2 or 3 inches then droopy like its broken. My pups healed ok but the vets can sort it if it continues to be a problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WGD Posted March 25, 2010 Report Share Posted March 25, 2010 It sounds like what the vets call swimmers tail. My pup had the same, normal tail for 2 or 3 inches then droopy like its broken. My pups healed ok but the vets can sort it if it continues to be a problem. That would be my guess. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ziplex Posted March 25, 2010 Author Report Share Posted March 25, 2010 It sounds like what the vets call swimmers tail. My pup had the same, normal tail for 2 or 3 inches then droopy like its broken. My pups healed ok but the vets can sort it if it continues to be a problem. That would be my guess. Interesting, what exactly is the cause for this, any ideas?.....it's only been like it for a day or two. I had her chasing around just a minute ago and she can hold it normally, (ie: upturned/alert) when she's keen for the ball/dummy, or waiting to be sent? As I said it's almost a conscious thing, rather than physical if that makes sense? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
STOCKY A391 Posted March 25, 2010 Report Share Posted March 25, 2010 sounds very much like shock tail/ swimmers tail . has she been in freezing water lately or retreived from cold water ? My father has a labrador that suffererd badly with it late last year , not very nice but will resolve itself with time , the dog may appear very fretful/lost for a few days, and seem irate at times . However you shouldn't rule out the chance of her coming into season either ! best of luck with her Stocky Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ziplex Posted March 25, 2010 Author Report Share Posted March 25, 2010 sounds very much like shock tail/ swimmers tail . has she been in freezing water lately or retreived from cold water ? My father has a labrador that suffererd badly with it late last year , not very nice but will resolve itself with time , the dog may appear very fretful/lost for a few days, and seem irate at times . However you shouldn't rule out the chance of her coming into season either ! best of luck with her Stocky I had her running through a small shallow stream Weds but not submerged.......she was in the sea on Monday charging about though so what you're saying may have some bearing on it. She's a nervous dog anyhow but on thinking about it she may well of been a little more so than normal. Appreciate the input gents, i'll obviously keep an eye on her and see what happens....thank you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimmyb79 Posted March 26, 2010 Report Share Posted March 26, 2010 My cocker pup had this when my oaf of a labrador sat on her tail whilst she was trying to move. She sprained it for a few days and it hung as you described. It was all better within about 5 days though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WGD Posted March 26, 2010 Report Share Posted March 26, 2010 she was in the sea on Monday charging about That would've done it, but it's something that may never happen again. It can be painful for the dog so she will be feeling a bit sorry for herself but a few days should sort it, if not then off to the vet - she may have broken it. It's unlikely but a possibility if it does not improve by say the start of next week. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spaniel Posted March 26, 2010 Report Share Posted March 26, 2010 Happened to my spaniel Duncan, the other year, so i now only let her in the water during warmer days to be honest.... at least she didnt drink the sea water and throw it all back up in the car afterwards, thats my Labs trick of the day Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ziplex Posted March 26, 2010 Author Report Share Posted March 26, 2010 I've checked her out again this morning and her bits seems a little more swollen, (quite hard in fact), but still no sign of a discharge......still eating/drinking ok, bombing around and peeing/pooing like normal but she is washing herself a fair bit. See how she is when the Mrs gets home midday............. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darren m Posted March 26, 2010 Report Share Posted March 26, 2010 if its cold water tail , give her a gentle rub and massage of the base of tail , but be gentle . the idea is to increase the blood flow and heat to the region a little bit , make sure she stays dry and free from cold drafts. both my lab and now my springer has this from time to time , can be very sore , always after being in cold water , the muscle gets cold and spasams up and all that wagging just makes it worse. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ziplex Posted March 26, 2010 Author Report Share Posted March 26, 2010 if its cold water tail , give her a gentle rub and massage of the base of tail , but be gentle . the idea is to increase the blood flow and heat to the region a little bit , make sure she stays dry and free from cold drafts. both my lab and now my springer has this from time to time , can be very sore , always after being in cold water , the muscle gets cold and spasams up and all that wagging just makes it worse. I've come home and she seems to be fine, tail more or less in the right place, ie: up and wagging non stop...still cleaning her back end so i'll keep my eye on that. I'd never heard of this complaint before, both my old Springers were docked short and were in and out of water all year round and never suffered with it. Probably something to do with this one having a longer tail...... Thanks for the information all Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ziplex Posted March 28, 2010 Author Report Share Posted March 28, 2010 I've come home and she seems to be fine, tail more or less in the right place, ie: up and wagging non stop...still cleaning her back end so i'll keep my eye on that. I'd never heard of this complaint before, both my old Springers were docked short and were in and out of water all year round and never suffered with it. Probably something to do with this one having a longer tail...... Thanks for the information all Seems it was a bit of both then ............the little rocket has come into season just now, 10 months old which if I remember right is a little earlier than any other i've had. The Pointer didn't have a season for nearly 18 months and goes at least a year between them now , no doubt we'll have the local mutts knocking on the door now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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