Sunday, January 03, 2010

Limber Tail

I've read about it before, but now can claim first hand experience with a dog developing limber tail (also called cold water tail). After a hunt this weekend that featured a couple of pretty extended retrieving efforts, we got back, cleaned birds, generally picked up, then noticed that Booker the Chessie was walking funny. I thought he had a cockleburr caught in an indelicate place, but an attempt to check his tail brought a cry from him, the first I've ever heard. His back end was extremely tender and he generally felt down. A bit of internet research suggested an anti-inflammatory. Fortunately, he seems much better today after a little ibuprofen and some rest, though he'd still prefer to lay around and isn't his normal active self.






Normal tail:



Broke-looking limber tail:



We're hoping a week's rest will have him back to form.
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7 comments:

  1. Terry Scoville10:37 AM

    I experienced this with Jet last year for the first time. It is also called "swimmer's tail". It was a week later that her wagger began to work again. I spoke w/several vets and they told me that it is still not understood(physiologically) as to why this happens. Sounds like Booker has made a return to his former self. Such a relief.

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  2. danontherock3:32 PM

    I have seen this several times in several of my dogs. Don't worry it will take a week or so and he will be back to normal

    regards
    Dan

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  3. spotted face5:57 PM

    Poor thing. I haven't run into this yet.

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  4. mdmnm8:44 AM

    Terry,

    Thanks for the comment. Booker isn't 100 percent, but he's not in pain and almost back to normal.

    Thanks, Dan!

    Wandering Owl- If it happens, you'd swear his tail is broken or otherwise injured.

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  5. Trout Caviar10:10 AM

    Ouch. I feel Booker's pain, and I'm glad to hear he's doing better.

    Happy hunting to all~ Brett

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  6. Chas S. Clifton10:28 PM

    That happened once with my first Chessie, and "tincture of time" was the cure. I think it happened only once.

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  7. mdmnm2:33 PM

    Chas,

    Thanks for letting me know about your experience. He's pretty much done with it now and I'm hoping it won't come back.

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