Tail problem

[Jumpin Boots]

Yesterday our Toller and old female Beagle took off into the woods for a romp for a few hours. This is not something we encourage, but have little control over once their noses hit the ground. This happens probably once a week and sometimes when Smudge returns it's almost as if his tail is broken. The picture just makes it appear that he has his tail between his legs, which it is, but he can't lift it more than an inch or two. Typically the top of the base of the tail will seem a little inflamed. In the past I have tried to slowly lift the tail, but this causes much discomfort so I now I just leave it be. I'm just wondering if anyone else has ever heard of such a thing? I'm guessing that he tweaks his back and it just takes a few days to sort itself out, but it's kind of weird. I mentioned it to my vet one time, and he said to bring him in next time it happened, yeah, thanks, but I'm not going to pay who knows what for a sore tail and for my vet to enjoy probing into something he doesn't typically see.

 

Anyway, just thought I'd see if anyone had ever heard/experienced this.

 

[Root Beer]

Sounds like dead tail.

 

Last fall I noticed the same thing with Maddie, my Border Collie/Lab Mix. She is a major tail wagger and it was very obvious. It was like she had no ability to lift or use her tail at all. She very decidedly did NOT like me touching her tail when this happened, although she usually doesn't mind.

 

I did some research and my guess is that, in her case, it was caused by swimming in cold water. She has never had it since, but I read that once it happens, it is likely to happen again.

 

It cleared up on its own after about two weeks. I understand that it usually does. I did have her checked by the vet at the time and he was pretty confident that her tail wasn't broken or anything.

 

For more information, google "cold tail", "dead tail", "limber tail". It's most common in retrievers, I believe.

[jvw]

This happened to my Seamus. Its called "cold tail". Not alot of info out there on it. More common in labs.

 

It generally resolves on its own. Seamus' tail got better from the base up. It took about a month for complete heal. I was given the option of steroids to speed the process along but since it generally didn't bother him I declined them.

 

Other than the first day or two that it happened Seamus' was unfazed by it all. He even worked sheep with no problem but he did look funny with his tail flopping about!

 

jennifer

[Root Beer]

Other than the first day or two that it happened Seamus' was unfazed by it all. He even worked sheep with no problem but he did look funny with his tail flopping about!

 

When Maddie had it, she was very forlorn when we would return home from work. She usually goes to town thumping that big tail of hers everywhere and she seemed really bummed that she couldn't do it!

 

I worried a little about her Agility because I know that the dogs use the tail for balance, but she seemed to do OK.

[Jumpin Boots]

Thanks RB and jvw, I googled cold tail and that is exactly what is sounds like. His usually clears up in a few days, the worse was about 10 days. He's in great shape, but when they go on these outings they always return exhausted and typically soaking wet, so it makes sense that it could happen from over exersion and cold temperatures.

[bcnewe2]

Well, learn something new everyday!

I've never heard of this and I'm pleased to have advanced warning should I ever encounter this.

[jvw]

Seamus got his from making "snow angels". He's a strange one!

[Rave]

My BC gets cold tail from too much swimming. No real problem if it happens infrequently. Not sure about if it happens weekly. Might want to ask your vet if there's a long-term problems from continued cold tail. I imagine it's easier to get inflamed after the initial time. Rimadyl might be good to use for the inflammation, but again check with your vet.