After 2 years I'm back and have a question

[2BlackDogs]

Hey everyone! I'm back!! It's been about 2 years since I've been on the forums. I had some things come up in life that needed my attention so I dealt with everything and now I can catch up with everyone here. How has everybody been?

I'm posting this in the health care as I also have a question. Dixie is 3 years old now and she'll be 4 the beginning of next year. yesterday I noticed she's not wagging her tail. It just kinda hangs there. She also has a hard time sitting. it seems like it's uncomfortable for her to sit. even when I ask her to sit she just won't do it. She's pacing around alot and follows me more than normal. I've checked and there's nothing broken or swollen. I just want to know if this is something that could be serious and I need to make a vet appointment now.

The day before yesterday we didn't do a whole lot. Just her normal routine nothing different or straining and she wasn't injured in any way. Any thoughts?

 

[Renee750il]

I'd make a vet appointment.

It could be something like constipation, or a bee sting or some kind of bite at the base of her tail, or it could be a fracture you can't feel, a pinched or injured nerve, a deep tissue bruise, or something internal going on

Very glad to see you back I hope you got everything taken care of and "all's well that ends well."

 

[2BlackDogs]

I'd make a vet appointment.

It could be something like constipation, or a bee sting or some kind of bite at the base of her tail, or it could be a fracture you can't feel, a pinched or injured nerve, a deep tissue bruise, or something internal going on

Very glad to see you back I hope you got everything taken care of and "all's well that ends well."

Great to see you Renee!! I know she went potty yesterday and today just like normal. No problems in that department. LOL. All was well until the tail thing but I think I'll just call the vet and make her an appointment. I hate it when they are not feeling well.

 

[hankster]

Have you checked the anal glands to make sure they are not full.

Was your dog swimming a lot before it happened? Some dogs use their tails a lot when swimming and so the muscles can become very tired and the tail can become "frozen".

Curious to know what vet says.

 

[stardogs]

I think Cold Tail can happen outside of swimming as well - would certainly be worth reading up on.

 

[2BlackDogs]

Have you checked the anal glands to make sure they are not full.

Was your dog swimming a lot before it happened? Some dogs use their tails a lot when swimming and so the muscles can become very tired and the tail can become "frozen".

Curious to know what vet says.

Yes I have checked the anal glands too. She swims pretty much everyday in the neighbors pond. It's not for but maybe half an hour a day but this hasn't happened before. I can't get a vet appointment until tomorrow but they are going to call me if they get an opening today.

 

[lizzybeth727]

Yeah, Cold-Water Tail is the first thing I thought of, too, I've seen a few dogs with it and it's extremely scary looking if you don't know what it is. It seems to be very painful, too, I took care of a lab who had it and he was an absolute BABY about it.... but he was a baby about a lot of stuff, poor thing....

It's usually better in a day or two, but we've always given the dogs Rimadyl as an anti inflammitory and pain reliever.

 

[Saeleofu]

Sounds like Happy Tail/Swimmer's Tail/Cold Tail to me, too.

 

[2BlackDogs]

Thank you everyone for your posts. after looking up Cold water tail and researching, it looks like that's most likely what it is. Her symptoms fit perfectly. I did give her a small dose of Rimadyl today and after an hour she perked up and started to slightly move her tail. Now she can wag it a little. I've been around labs all my life and I've never heard or seen it before. definitely something I need to pass to all the lab owners I know who are not aware of cold water tail.

 

[hankster]

2BlackDogs - Did you go to the vet?

(Labs are one of the breeds that are one of the breeds that are more susceptible to Cold Tail due to the way they use their tail when swimming.)