Ok, I am aware I have posted about this before, but I have a totally different question and wasn't sure if I should drag up my old topic just for that, apologies if I'm in the wrong! If you've never heard of this condition before, here is a great piece of info about it http://www.woodhavenlabs.com/limbertail-update704.html Those of you who have read my previous post will know that Penny occasionally suffers from lumber tail. It's quite common in the working dog circles, though the majority of vets have never heard of it - I certainly educated my vet the first time Penny had it, I took her to the vet and told them that was what I thought she had. Since they could not come up with another explanation they sent us home with metacam and rest and sure enough it got better in about 4 days. I saw my vet later that day (I worked with her at the time) and she said that after our consult she had gone and researched it. We don't go to see the vet anymore for it as I know that after a couple of days she will be back to normal. I have a big bottle of metacam at home which I dip into if I feel she's uncomfortable. Anyway, Penny seems to be having another episode after her romp in the long grass earlier. I really don't know what's brought on this one, as she hasn't done anything out of the ordinary, and hasn't been swimming for over a week. I gave her a bath on Friday night but I think that was too long ago for it to have brought on this episode. I'm a bit worried at the frequency she seems to be getting it. I know that if dogs have had one episode then they are prone to getting it again, but I though that would be a handful of occasions throughout their life, not each year! Penny's had it about 4 times now since the first episode which was in September. I'm wondering if maybe she needs to be checked out for anything underlying? I know a couple of people said last time that they had dogs who have had it. Did your dogs only have it the once? How often did it used to reoccur?
Re: Cold water tail/Limber tail syndrome Hi, I dont know much about it, but a friends spaniel has just got it from having cold water put on her after a warm wash down. Hope Penny gets better soon, could it be a sensitive tail ? Sorry I really dont know at all, Maggie xx
Re: Cold water tail/Limber tail syndrome Ah Lauren,sorry it's recurred again.We just had the one episode...but that was when Dexter had his full tail....he's only got a third now so that could be a possible reason.He didn't have an otter tail,it was very thin and lean with a very fast whip like wag .....hence out Happy Tail problems!hope she's not too miserable with it,Dexter looked absolutely pathetic,in the true sense of the word ,poor lad x
Re: Cold water tail/Limber tail syndrome I know about it Lauren but thankfully havent ever had a dog suffer from it , I gather it can be quite painful for them , poor Penny, maybe a word with the Vet would be the best thing, hoping she is better soon x
Re: Cold water tail/Limber tail syndrome Angela - I think you might be right in that not having a full tail may prevent it. As sometimes the first couple of inches or so are normal it would make sense. I would suspect that dogs with fully docked tails don't suffer from it - would be interesting to hear from some owner of docked dogs on if they've experienced it. Another argument pro-docking of working dogs eh? it seems strange though as a Penny isn't a working dog, though it's in her blood. I dread to think how much she would get it if she was a working dog as it can be linked to activity levels, also dogs who are not fully conditioned yet. Hence the occurrence in working dogs at the beginning of the season. I wonder if because we have stopped playing fetch she is technically 'out of condition' as that certainly kept her very fit and I'm sure her cardio fitness now isn't what it used to be. Kate - yes she's definitely uncomfortable at least. She keeps going round in circles nibbling at it and she can't settle properly. She's constantly got her 'sad face' on so I know she's not happy!! She seems a lot better this morning so this episode seems to have resolved fairly quickly. There's no point taking her to a vet when she's ok so I think I'll wait til the next time she gets it and take her then (probably only a couple of weeks judging by how she's going at the moment!)
Re: Cold water tail/Limber tail syndrome Hi Lauren. Scout has had 'labrador droop' as I like to call it ;D twice now. The first time he was very uncomforatable. Couldn't sit, lie down, restless. I took him to the vet although I'm guessing due to adrenaline by the time we got there his tail looked normal. : although it took at least three days to get right. The second time it didn't seem to bother him as much and was vastly improved in 24 hours. Both times it was after he'd been very wet , lot of rain, and excessive wagging,had visitors both times. Don't know if that helps. Hope penny is wagging normal soon. ;D
Re: Cold water tail/Limber tail syndrome found this on the internet,..looks very interesting and certainly something to watch out for.. Article from the Whole Dog Journal - Limber Tail Syndrome http://www.whole-dog-journal.com/issues/8_1/features/15685-1.html
Re: Cold water tail/Limber tail syndrome Its 30 years since I lost Tammy, but I can only remember her having it once.
Re: Cold water tail/Limber tail syndrome That's a really interesting article Kate, thanks. I am worried about permanent damage to her tail as she seems to get it so often. I think I might try to work on her conditioning to see if that helps.
