fitchjr
Woodsman
Reged: 09/11/07
Posts: 233
Loc: Huntsville, TX
|
|
My pointer had a rough mothers day, played with a gsp and lab all day and when we got home her tail was no worky. I dont think its broke and it seems there is no nerve damage. She is definately favoring it and its tender when squeezed beyond normal proding. Also when running around outside it seems to get a little straighter, she points at about 2 o'clock compared to 1 o'clock normally. Im going to take her to the vet in a couple days if it doesnt get better. Have any of yall dealt with this before or have any home remedies to speak of?
--------------------
"When your heading to the grave, you dont blame the Hurst"
Edited by fitchjr (05/12/08 11:21 PM)
|
First_Chance
Tracker
Reged: 05/10/05
Posts: 776
Loc: dfw
|
|
it's called limber tail syndrome or cold water tail, not that uncommon. I've seen it before in one of my "long tailed dogs" here's some info on it.
Limber tail syndrome and "cold water tail" while known to those who work with hunting dogs, may not be familiar to veterinarians. It is most often seen in working breeds like English Pointers, English Setters, Foxhounds, Beagles, and Labrador Retrievers. Ages of affected dogs range from 0.5-9 years old. In English Pointers the most frequent age of onset is reported to be 2 years old.
Typically the presentation is a young adult dog with an acutely flaccid tail that hangs down from the tail base or is held horizontally for 3-4 inches and then drops down. The tail remains in this position even when the dog moves about.
Pain may be seen on palpation of the tail base and some owners report that the dog seems uncomfortable and painful. The best thing to do is leave the tail alone.
Rest is recommended. Complete recovery is usually seen by 2 weeks and often occurs within a few days although it recurs later during training in 1/3 of the cases. Some owners and trainers feel that anti-inflammatory drugs shorten the recovery time if given when the condition is first seen. You might also use warm packs at the base of the tail which will help the relief of pain.
The cause of limber tail is not known although it is thought to be associated with hard workouts (especially in underconditioned dogs), heavy hunting, and swimming or bathing in water that is too cold or too warm. Some owners reported that they grab the tail as a means of correction. Tail conformation (high set or very active), gender (males more frequently affected), and nutritional factors have also been suggested as possible causes. Ongoing studies suggest that limber tail is associaed with muscle damage in the tail with dogs examined early in showing elevated muscle enzymes eg., creatine phosphokinase.
--------------------
|
cajundave
Pro Tracker
Reged: 05/15/07
Posts: 1515
Loc: Metro Mess
|
|
Try Viagra? 
--------------------
That's why they call it hunting and not killing!
|
fitchjr
Woodsman
Reged: 09/11/07
Posts: 233
Loc: Huntsville, TX
|
|
I aint givin up none of my viagra!
--------------------
"When your heading to the grave, you dont blame the Hurst"
|
cajundave
Pro Tracker
Reged: 05/15/07
Posts: 1515
Loc: Metro Mess
|
|
Quote:
I aint givin up none of my viagra!
LOL! 
--------------------
That's why they call it hunting and not killing!
|
FowlDreams
Bird Dog
Reged: 11/06/07
Posts: 268
Loc: Austin/south Dallas TX
|
|
I don't really believe in the "cold water" theory. I think it's mainly from playing/working too much. My dog got it last year in August when we went to the deer lease to set stands and feeders up. She ran everywhere sniffing everything while we were on the 4 wheelers and stuff. She didn't touch a lick of water other than out of a bowl.
--------------------
Fowl Dreams and Sunny Days!
Git 'R Druunk!
|
junfan68
Light Foot
Reged: 05/15/08
Posts: 16
Loc: Dallas
|
|
This has happened to my black lab several times. At first I thought there was some burrs or thorns in it. Then I wondered if she somehow jammed it getting bounced around in the dog box.
What it boils down to is they literally wag their tails so much that the muscles get extremely sore, to the point that the tail just sort of shuts down. The tail usually reverts back to it's normal self in a couple of days.
|
fitchjr
Woodsman
Reged: 09/11/07
Posts: 233
Loc: Huntsville, TX
|
|
Theres alot of theorys out there that I have read about and I believe its just from having too much fun. Her tail is back to working about 95% so Im not too worried about it now. Its funny how when I googled it, the first response was that the tail could be broke so Im sure I overthunk it if you know what I mean.
--------------------
"When your heading to the grave, you dont blame the Hurst"
|
Previous
Index
Next
Threaded
Edit
Reply
Quote
