wacker Posted February 10, 2014 Report Share Posted February 10, 2014 Anyone heard of this condition, also known as Limber tail, cold tail or drop tail. After walking my cocker yesterday, got back and she was acting a bit funny whimpering and holding her back leg up chewing her foot. I thought she had a thorn in her pad, however, when I touched her tail it was clear that she was in a bit of discomfort. She had lost her tail wag! It sticks out about an inch and then just hangs. Spoke to a friend and he told me about this condition as someone he knows had the same thing. I thought it may have broken as she has a full tail, and really does wag hard as spaniels do! The vet gave her an anti inflammatory injection and told to rest. She is going in again tomorrow for a follow up visit. I knew nothing about this condition, apparently it can be caused by swimming in cold water, overexertion, of waging a tail to hard! Usually found in working dog breeds. She may need an x-ray just to rule out a break. Poor girl. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDog Posted February 10, 2014 Report Share Posted February 10, 2014 One of my labradors used to get the same thing. Instead of wagging his tail just hung limply. I am not sure if he was in pain or not and after a few days it righted itself. Two years later the same thing happened. If she hasn't broken it I am sure that it will get better on it's own. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michufc Posted February 10, 2014 Report Share Posted February 10, 2014 Stressful times mate I hope your do gets better soon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wacker Posted February 11, 2014 Author Report Share Posted February 11, 2014 Well, woke up this morning and her wag is back...YAY!!! She went to the vet, he gave her the all clear. He said that she suffered a mild case of Drop tail and just gave me some anti inflammatory drops to put in her food. Phew! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spanj Posted February 11, 2014 Report Share Posted February 11, 2014 Anyone heard of this condition, also known as Limber tail, cold tail or drop tail. After walking my cocker yesterday, got back and she was acting a bit funny whimpering and holding her back leg up chewing her foot. I thought she had a thorn in her pad, however, when I touched her tail it was clear that she was in a bit of discomfort. She had lost her tail wag! It sticks out about an inch and then just hangs. Spoke to a friend and he told me about this condition as someone he knows had the same thing. I thought it may have broken as she has a full tail, and really does wag hard as spaniels do! The vet gave her an anti inflammatory injection and told to rest. She is going in again tomorrow for a follow up visit. I knew nothing about this condition, apparently it can be caused by swimming in cold water, overexertion, of waging a tail to hard! Usually found in working dog breeds. She may need an x-ray just to rule out a break. Poor girl. as a matter of interest, is she docked ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pontbeck Posted February 11, 2014 Report Share Posted February 11, 2014 It happens in various circumstances. My Lab had a case of swim tail, or whatever you want to call it, after retrieving from a very cold almost frozen river . It only lasted a few hours and has not been repeated Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SPARKIE Posted February 12, 2014 Report Share Posted February 12, 2014 my lab has had it twice from jumping in brooks and canals in the past when its really cold...just rest for a few days and it will be back to normal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
linny Posted February 12, 2014 Report Share Posted February 12, 2014 as a matter of interest, is she docked ? read the post she has a full tail, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sky gipsy Posted February 12, 2014 Report Share Posted February 12, 2014 My lab has had it too. It does seem oodd first time you witness it, but I don't think it caused her any pain and she returned to normal after a day or so. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris o Posted February 13, 2014 Report Share Posted February 13, 2014 My lab had limp tail a bit ago she was in agony with it cleared after about 3-4 days. Apparrntly its caused by a sudden shock to the body brought on by extreme cold in water. Dont hold me to it only what i read on internet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Mat Posted February 17, 2014 Report Share Posted February 17, 2014 Mine has had it once or twice when she was younger, between age of 3 - 6. Not had it in the last few years, never knew what caused it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted February 17, 2014 Report Share Posted February 17, 2014 (edited) My GWP got it now and again, always water work. Its very painful for them like cramp but the tail just hangs like its broken at the base. Cold creates it and warmth often cures it I suspect this happened with yours). Labs should have a coat that protects them but I fully accept many don't, cold water shouldn't actually reach the skin in these areas even if the dog dives. I have read up on it and supposed to be no link in docked and un-docked as the effected muscles are not actually in the tail Edited February 17, 2014 by kent Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darno Posted February 28, 2014 Report Share Posted February 28, 2014 Mine has had it a few times, cold water an over exursion are common causes. My lab x springer goes mental when we walk and is up and down hedges on the river, all over the place and if it's cold he wil sometimes get it! Couple of days looking sorry for himself and it sorts itself out. Poor boy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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