Posted: Mon Oct 12, 2009 2:36 pm Post subject: Dead Tail
I had to withdraw Chrissie from her classes at the show yesterday because she had a very sore tail which I thought was broken. When I mentioned to Margaret that Chrissie wouldn't be shown because she had a very sore tail she said it sounds as if she has "dead tail" which is common in Setters and working breeds. Well this morning I have been on the internet and there are loads of pages about this and I had never heard of it! Chrissie had taken part in the TAN the day before and had retrieved partridge from the pond. I don't think it occurred as a result of cold water but in her case more likely it was the overuse of muscles in the tail. The following is a quote from the web page underneath.
"It is also believed that it can be caused by the motion the tail makes while swimming which can overwork the muscles in the tail or from excessive tail wagging. A combination of these factors could also be the cause in developing this condition."
http://www.helium.com/items/1048477-limber-tail-syndrome-in-dogs
Although she is much better today and the pain is clearly much reduced, she is still carrying her tail as described in the article so I have made an appointment to see the vet this evening to a) make sure there is no permanent damage and b) ensure they have a record of the pain this occurrence has inflicted on a dog which would normally be docked.
That is terrible Barbara...poor little Chrissie Hope she regains its use soon...Have you thought about sending this to the Docked breeds association???? All vets should know that sort of thing.
I am SO lucky my vet is happy to dock. Next litter booked in advance as no way I will have tails in a shooting dog.
I knew about it but only in the last few years and as a result of a close friend who breeds labradors. It is known as 'labrador wet tail'. I was given to understand that the capillaries close down when the dog jumps into cold water, causing a lack of blood supply to the tail and when it starts to return they have a similar reaction to us - severe pins and needles. Imagine the cold frosty winters day, no gloves on, and you come back into the warm. Ouch!!!! It is VERY painful for them. We haven't had this problem before as our breed has always been docked! Metacam helps considerably. _________________ Annie
Handle every situation like a dog, if you can't eat it or play with it, just pee on it and walk away
Back from the vet who is not sure if the tail is broken, it is very swollen and still very painful to touch so difficult to examine thoroughly. She had a Metacam Injection and Rimadyl Pal Tablets. We will go back in a week to see how she is progressing.
We fully sympathise with you and Chrissie I have posted before about the problems our springer spaniel had as an undocked dog (from working stock and years before the ban would you believe ) Our brilliant vet at that time performed a "partial amputation" when Zac was two and a half years old I hope your girl's tail recovers fully but do bear in mind the "partial amputation" option if it becomes a recurring issue. _________________ Lin, owned by Rudi and Copper the Brittanys & Zac the Springer.
Don't know if this is related in any way but I've had to take Ben top the vet he had a high temperature and lots of discomfort in the area around the end of his spine (yelped when the vet tried to lift what's left of his tail to insert the thermometer). It only came on after we'd got back from the wekend. Just waiting for blood test results to come through. _________________ My goal in life is to be as good a person as my dog already thinks I am.
Sorry to hear this John. Hope the blood tests provide a diagnosis and that it's nothing serious. Fingers crosssed for you and Ben. _________________ Lin, owned by Rudi and Copper the Brittanys & Zac the Springer.
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Hope she regains its use soon...Have you thought about sending this to the Docked breeds association???? All vets should know that sort of thing.
) Our brilliant vet at that time performed a "partial amputation" when Zac was two and a half years old