Cold Water Tail Syndrome

[Jurrasicway]

Has anyone heard of Cold Water Tail Syndrome (CWTS). My lab went swimming in a duck pond when my wife took him out. When she came back she washed him down outside with a bucket of water. That night his tail just drooped and he whimpered when you touched. His tail seemed immobile and he could not wag it. My wife looked on the internet and came up with Cold Water Tail Syndrome. We took it to the vet who had never heard of it (young one just out of uni it seemed). We paid £17 for an anti inflamatory injection and put him to bed that night. It took a week for his tail to get back to normal.

My question is, has anyone heard of this, if yes would it be a one off or will he always be susceptible to CWTS?

[Guest stiv24]

It's also called swimmers tail and is more common than you'd think

[MM]

there was an article in one of the mags recently. il have a lok when i get into the office and see if i can dig it out.

[moz]

My lab has had it twice. I think some are more susceptible to it. Try to dry them off after quickly after swimming.

 

You can give them asprin/paracetamol (NOT ibuprofen) to save on the vet visit if or when it happens again.

[potshot]

It is also called lambs tail - it is very painful for the dog and it needs painkillers as suggested above. It is very common.

[J@mes]

Ours had it, although I think it was mild as she would let me touch her tail but wouldn't sit down in some ways and also held her tail strangely. She wouldn't wag it either, took about 4 days for it to come back to normal.

 

Was nice being able to leave a cup of coffee on the table without fear of it being launched across the room! But she didn't look right without her tail swishing all over the shop. we now always carry a tea towel with us when she is going to swim so we can at least get the worst of the water out of her fur before she gets dried properly back at the car!

[WGD]

It's pretty common - bit worrying your vet didn't know what it was

[Jurrasicway]

Thanks for the advice. Great feedback.

 

Moz. How many asprins would you give a lab as a pain killer. Would you treat it as a child's dose?

 

Carrying a small towel also seems to be a good idea. You can get those ones at camping shops that fold up really small and absorb loads of water. Will keep it in mind for the coming season.

[chefy]

good advice i have a 6 month old lab which loves water and will keep it all in mind thanks