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.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMguGB3dqlYr7f4ZxP2cRYIEnCPOsbvT2b4HMXUPqU9qxsPdUCpzL-cS7PIAwPxMfXySm3VR0pyLtZpYDY9xQVQHUAdixygO4lL69qObxhgwbIxwSYukaEZJJN0-wmWZA4cSdVtw/s320/IMGP0527.JPG)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt9tfVcQXSP7cd9fmAweEEyfoaoMNs3CBoK1O6DvvXpUjzVEI7xayptFpauGyfDtyNNumda4L7-ezCGUokdm_UsM3Q2j33Gn3ma3_xZKAMP8rXWc9ZEPJcoOfk3-pPDdgOQPO6DQ/s320/IMGP0530.JPG)
Normal tail:
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJiP4Dr3DHKhjWkY-QsmyU59HFoIzTkw0omvJoYmMhoF6zw1A5YGlXwife2U17t0aJMx_nL7PGmNwPs42U0bVeq2Luc5gEbcR2sNEfWa93PifutY_vLXRHWKCphO_KZhGeJtVvRQ/s320/IMGP0531.JPG)
Broke-looking limber tail:
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVi_6vxaepU6FiLFyRJZRX0ueEWBtRvbt7oHiNBnVGbD7P4oGkVbRhgT_PzWTMhqCg2e9pJ3DOfDImeCrOP6QShA3vQHBqDFd6Z-pm08aARDrDmbUxnfKlfXiNqZGkVHZfUzTs7Q/s320/CIMG0948.jpg)
We're hoping a week's rest will have him back to form.
7 comments:
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.
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
Poor thing. I haven't run into this yet.
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.
Ouch. I feel Booker's pain, and I'm glad to hear he's doing better.
Happy hunting to all~ Brett
That happened once with my first Chessie, and "tincture of time" was the cure. I think it happened only once.
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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