limp tail

[ae82gtm]

Hi, i'm concerned about Sara's (7 mo.) tail.

For the past two days, her tail seems limp, and just hangs. If i touch it and try to lift it, she doesn't like it at all.

I remember reading a thread like this, but I can't find it using the search feature.

Can anyone help?

Mikhal

[TsuwaGoldens]

Its probably dead tail...just give it a few days...it will usually come back on its own.

[Goldenheart]

<span style="font-family:georgia; color:navy;">I believe Goldens are prone to what is called or known as "dead," "cold," or "limber tail.

One of those names may help you in your search. I personally don't know much about it outside of when this happens it seems paralyzed. The golden can't lift or wag its tail and the base of the tail seems to be quite painful.

Someone will come in shortly and give more help....I hope your Goldie is ok<img border=0 src="http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/images/emoticons/frown.gif" /></span>

[GoldenGirl]

Goldenheart and TsuwaGoldens are right. It is sometimes also called Cold water tail, limber tail syndrome, broken tail, dead tail, and broken wag.

This is part of an artical I came across:

This is a relatively common occurrence in sporting dogs. The tail of the dog hangs down from the tail base or is held horizontal for three or four inches and then drops down. A flaccid tail episode appears to be a painful, but relatively benign affliction that can occur after swimming, after a heavy hunting day or even after a bath with cold water or water that is too warm. It is not always associated with swimming or water, but can happen after a heavy day of work that involves a lot of tail action. The majority of limp tail cases have been reported in sporting dogs or hounds -- Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, Setters, Pointers, Flatcoats, Foxhounds and Beagles are the breeds frequently named. Almost all dogs that suffer through an occurrence return to normal within a few days. Affected dogs may or may not have a repeat incidence during their lifetime. (It is this author's experience that symptoms will repeat in the same animal and can be trigged by something as simple as a cold water bath.) This affliction has been described by the layman as a "sprain," fibrosis or a "cold in the tail." The affected dog is miserable at the onset and the tail is painful. If neither the dog owner nor the veterinarian is familiar with this condition, it can be disturbing--fostering conjecture on a possible fracture or spinal cord disease.

http://pic4.picturetrail.com/VOL60/939661/1749169/20665735.jpg

[ae82gtm]

Thanks everyone for letting me know what's up. I'm glad that it's something that will get better on its own. Sara did play outside while it was sleeting and snowing (doesn't happen often down here in Austin, Texas!), and I think that's where she caught her "cold".

I'm really relieved now. Thanks GoldenGirl for typing that article.

Thanks,

Mikhal