Tail Injury

[MediaGuy]

Ok fellas I need some input as to what may be giving my 1.5 yr old lab some problems. I noticed either Sat or Sun that he would occasionally cut a couple of circles and lick his tail. I really did not pay attention over the weekend because he chases his tail all the damn time.
Long story short, when I was playing with him last night I noticed that his tail is drooping about 6-8 inches from the base. I checked to see if it was sensetive, and he protested very little, though it did feel a little warm.
Any idea what may be wrong, should I watch it for a couple of days or take him to the vet right away? [img]graemlins/confused.gif[/img]
Hate to see my buddy in pain and want to get it right for him.

[Kirk]

I think this is pretty common. Your dog is just trying to lick his ass. If he is unable to do so, you should do it for him to avoid further, more permanent injury.

In all seriousness, my lab broke her tail several years ago getting in or out of the boat. I took her in to the vet, and he did not seem concerned about it. It sounded the same, a little swelling and sensitivity, and the tail drooped a few inches from the base. He said that it could not be splinted or anything, and that he could give her pain meds, but it did not really seem to bother her unless you grabbed it. A week or two later she was fine. It has happened once since then and I just kept an eye on her. The only permanent damage seems to be that the tail is a little thicker in that one spot, but it doesn't bother her anymore. I would call your vet just to be safe.

[big dog momma]

That's funny KIRK

[MediaGuy]

Thanks Kirk, good to know it's common. Your comment was not as bad as a couple of others.
Anybody else have USEFUL information or advice? This is a serious question, we all know how important a lab dog is to a fella.

[justpracticin]

What's the difference between and lab dog and a lab?

[MediaGuy]

Well I see you are using your Clemson B.S. too read my post rather than your Carolina J.D. There is no difference... thanks for the quality input JP [img]graemlins/fu.gif[/img]

[bigoak]

either got tape worms or stopped up anal glans....

[JJ McGuire]

You should check with the vet. But, it sounds like cold tail, giving the pup Bufferin daily, once in the morning and once in the evening, should clear it up in a week to 10 days.

[big dog momma]

And don't forget to lick his butt.

[2thDoc]

counter-clockwise

[MediaGuy]

Again my thanks for the useful information, and I am glad to see that 2th and BDM are willing to provide comic relief to help me deal with my dogs suffering [img]graemlins/fu2.gif[/img]
Keep it coming so I have a knowledge base to talk to the vet about.

[HuntinCosta]

media guy, these duys have interesting explanations for your dogs tail. It sounds like limp tail (cold tail) but it has to be really cold for that to happen!, its not!! so you can rule that out. the next place i would check are his anal glands ( the most likely problem) its not his tail hurting its his asshole! and unless you want to stick your fingers in there or squeeze them from the outside your vet needs to see him. but id put money on the anal glands, not cold tail. and if your dog ever gets cold tail in the future all you need to give him is 1 and 1/2 aspirin twice a day. but thats just for the pain it would get better on its own.

[justpracticin]

You really should let him all the way out of your Corolla before slamming the door...

PAY ATTENTION BOY!!!!!

Actually, if you do go for the at home dianosis, use KY, he'll appreciate your concern.

[MediaGuy]

When I did some research on this it says that this is why dogs do the "butt scoot" I have not noticed him doing this [img]graemlins/confused.gif[/img] Is the drooping tail thing a symptom of clogged anal glands?

[Kirk]

Wonder if some Viagra would fix the drooping tail? [img]graemlins/confused.gif[/img]

[justpracticin]

MG shouldn't have viagra and KY in the same room. That dog may turn on him.

[MediaGuy]

To the lawyers I say [img]graemlins/fu.gif[/img] you bastages.... y'all are just mean [img]graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]
I think Huntin Costa and JJ McGuire came up with a likely cause of Cletus's falcid tail which makes me feel better. Glad I read the study HC mentioned a little while ago, because I know my vet would not know a thing about this.... damn cat lady
Anyway here it is in case somebody else has the problem.

Thanks again fellas, this is what SCDucks is about.... even the smart ass remarks

Limber Tail Considerations

If your dog's tail hangs limply, appears broken and is painful to the touch, he could have limber tail. Damaged tail muscles cause the condition, which generally goes away in a few days to weeks. Here are some points to consider that may help prevent cases of limber tail in the future.

Make sure your dog is properly conditioned prior to hunting or field trial season. Gradually get your dog into condition so he doesn't experience stress or fatigue in the first few outings.
Regardless of the season--but particularly in wet, cold conditions--be sure to keep your dog's bedding dry.
Don't keep your dog in a cramped crate. A dog should have enough room to move around. When traveling, make sure to get your dog out frequently to stretch his legs--once every two hours or more.

Cold/Limber Tail

[TealTapper]

MG, did your dog's tail get back to normal? How long did it take?

Think mines afflicted with the same thing. Had a long day today with lots of swimming, something she hasn't done much of for the past couple of months.

[Professor]

Your dog has cold tail. It is not brought on by the cold, but rather by excessive tail motion and is pretty common in hunting dogs that have long (undocked) tails. Mine usually get it when upland hunting for extended periods of time. The tail will be sensitive and sore for a few days, but will return to normal soon. Rimadyl or Deramax will help with the discomfort.
Professor

[TealTapper]

Thanks, prof!!

I took her to the vet, anyway, as she is overdue for an annual checkout.

Taught the vet something, today, we did. She diagnosed a broken tail. I mentioned the "limp tail" or "cold tail" thing, which she said she'd have to check out since she'd never heard of it. She was a little skeptical at first, but as I described it she opened up and went to check it out. X-rays ordered ruled out the broken tail, and she returned saying, "I learned something today."

It occurs to me now that I should have said we could trade the vet lesson for the xray fee.

Oh, well..I'll surely recognize it should this happen again.

Could making sure she's in proper shape before really hard exertion mostly prevent reoccurring? Are re-occurrences more likely after having been afflicted once already?

I know she is a little out of shape as we haven't really done much water work since duck season. Mostly obedience and socializing the last couple of months with only a few short retrieve workouts...I'm trying to block off some time for a force fetch program, but have been so damn busy at work lately. Anyway, out on the lake yesterday she had a very long day of hard play and extended swimming. Thinking back, I should have stopped her earlier and given her more rest periods in between. Wasn't thinking too much about this as much as her overheating, which was really no worry with her in the water so much and it not really being so hot.

Anyway, she checked out great otherwise, but sure did look pitiful as I left her home today.

Thanks, again!