Chris came in from walking Dexter last eve and said 'there's something wrong with his tail' no big news you would think.....however,his tail was hanging limp between his back legs and he wouldn't sit.......I've read about frozen tail and was talking to someone in the UK last week about it so I immediately got on the Internet to read the symptoms...........Dex seems :'(text book .I dried him really carefully when we left the beach yesterday but I must have let him swim too long....... :'( :'( :'( :'(. I've cried my eyes out.we had an engagement party to go to last night so Chris stayed home with him while I went for a couple of hours,he just laid across Chris's legs wrapped up warm in a blanket which he would never usually do. I've slept downstairs with him last night and he was very quiet ,not his usual moving and getting up and changing position.....have I done right not going to the vet?weve got an appointment tomorrow morning for a refiew of the tips healing process.this morning he's eating and loved his walk,although I kept him on the lead all the time.i can see improvement this morning...last night it was between his legs like he was cowering,this morning he can raise the base of it,although the rest is just limp..... I shouldn't be allowed a dog ..........has anybody else had and survived this?what I've read says its common ....but I am so angry with myself for letting him swim too long,I've been so careful for 7 months about not over excesses ing him,I'm gutted for him :'( :'( :'(
Re: What have I done to him? Don't worry, Angela!!! He will recover. It's nothing you could have predicted - it can happen to any dog. Dogs wag their tails primarily using the muscles in their lower back. He's strained muscles or squashed a nerve or something and it's affecting his wag. It no doubt hurts like a sore lower back or pinched nerve. But it should right itself. Just keep him warm and don't touch the area. The vet will probably give you some anti-inflammatories tomorrow for him. It's not an emergency but the fact that you are seeing the vet very soon is good as Dexter will be able to get some pain relief. You are a GREAT owner. You love your dog and hate to see him unhappy. But it's just bad luck and he WILL be fine
Re: What have I done to him? Oh Rachael thankyou.....if we weren't going tomorrow and he was restless I would take him now,its the weekend for us Here so it's emergency appointments ,he's snoozing away with his blanket over him and I gave him a hot water bottle but I think it was making him too hot,he got up and went and lay on the tiles and I don't want him to do that ....the cold and hardness of the floor won't help ....I feel,absolutely horrible
Re: What have I done to him? Just don't feel that you did anything wrong It seriously isn't your fault at all It could just as easily have been Obi - he swims all the time. It sounds like Dexter is slowly improving. I'm sure he will completely return to normal, given a little bit of time. Please don't be hard on yourself about it
Re: What have I done to him? Oh dear, Angela, please don't blame yourself! You were giving Dexter a lovely day swimming and playing with some doggie pals and you had no intention of hurting him at all. I don't know anything about frozen tail but from what Rachael says it will likely be fine so try not to worry. Poor Dexter and his tail!! :-\ He does seem to suffer from having too much energy in that particular part of him, doesn't he?? . In the meantime some TLC from you and perhaps some meds and he'll be just fine, fingers crossed.....sending you both hugs and prayers for a quick recovery from all things tail-related!!!
Re: What have I done to him? Poor Dexter and poor you. I think Rachael's advice is spot on at least you shouldn't have a problem in keeping him warm! It was good he has enjoyed a quiet walk and isn't restless. Take care of each other. Alice
Re: What have I done to him? oh poor you and poor obi! its soooo not your fault it can just happen. cuillin got it and she hadnt even been swimming she got it from over wagging i was playing with her football chasing her tonnes one day and she had wagged so hard so much that she got it at night. luckily we were at my sisters so good to have vets about! id read about it and was pretty much sure what it was but cuilli was being very dramatic with it and running about looking hunted with her tail hanging limp. she couldnt settle all night. its not nice to see their tails all limp but after a few days she was right back to normal and her Wag was back. dont worry he'll be right as rain soon
Re: What have I done to him? Hi Angela I can only repeat what everyone else has said. You did nothing wrong it's just one of those things and don't let it put you off letting dexter swim and have fun. It might never happen again. Scout had swimmers tail from wagging and probably rain wetness ! I took him to the vet (evening call out!) because he couldn't settle. When he got out of the car at the vet his tail was back up and wagging! I did feel stupid getting the vet out. He didn't even bother with an anti inflammatory. Next day you wouldn't think anything wrong. Murphy my old dog same thing. Next day nothing wrong. I know the feeling of panic though when you know something is wrong and you dont know what to do for the best it's horrible. Take care Jen
Re: What have I done to him? Thankyou everyone your comments are really helping because looking at him i wouldnt think he is ever going to get better.we've had a really quiet morning,no visitors today,he's just been sleeping...he's still getting the sillies if I sit on the floor with him ie rolling around ( carefully) to get his tummy rubbed and he's been interested in a chew of a few toys but otherwise he looks really sad and has just been lying quiet ......having to really persuade him out to go for a wee too.He is always my little shadow,everytime I get up he comes too but he's not today,he just looks woefully at me! The only silver lining is the tip is getting a good rest as there is no thrashing wagging going on,I never thought I'd say it but I'd do anything to hear the thwack of the splint on a door frame or 2 :'(
Re: What have I done to him? Oh Angela , I do feel for you, my old Lab had cold tail once and I blamed myself, but please dont , honestly Dexter will be right as rain before too much longer and you`ll be hearing that wack of his tail again soon x
Re: What have I done to him? Don't worry, Angela, you will hear the rhythmic tones of thwacking again before too long He is just feeling sore, poor man, but he will get his wag back. When are you seeing the vet?
Re: What have I done to him? 12.30 tomorrow,I've rung the clinic and its not our vet on call out,it's the stupid one that said he had a skin infection when he'd only stuck his head in a thorn bush!!!!Id rather wait until I see Paulina tomorrow...am I doing right or should I take him for some painkillers?x
Re: What have I done to him? oh dear angela, i am in tears reading this, please please dont blame your self, it is not your fault,.......wait to see paula tomorrow.......i am sure dexter will get well soon, get plenty of cuddles off him today i do believe the more you look after and care for them the more things go wrong ,.,,,,,,take care angela
Re: What have I done to him? I'd be inclined to go to the vet today and just get her to give you some anti-inflamatories.
Re: What have I done to him? I agree - go today and see if you can get something to take the edge off it for him. Metacam (Meloxicam) is effective for nerve and muscle pain (at least it was a godsend for my old boy who had a permanent and serious neck injury). You can give a double dose for the first dose.
Re: What have I done to him? Ha - I can confirm that Meloxicam is a wonder drug - I virtually lived off it before I had my hip replacement operation! It just sounds as though Dexter is very miserable with the pain right now, and I think that something like doggy ibuprofen or metacam would ease things for the poor love.
Re: What have I done to him? I've just rung the bloody emergency number and no answer!!!surely they will call me back? I'm hoping that they might just write me a prescription without seeing him,he's a nightmare for not lying down in the car.....he's only now at nearly 12 months realised that car rides are more comfortable if he sits .....and he can't do that today.......do you think I could go to the chemist and get him something human and give him a little dose of it?.......they sell some prescription drugs over the counter here....
Re: What have I done to him? no angela, i have read some where thats dogs can not have human tablets, i dont think they can digest them,.......have a quick look , i have only read it this week
Re: What have I done to him? No I'm panicking now ,it would be a silly thing to do Lynne,I'm sure the vet will call me back and even if I've got to climb in the boot of the car with him ill get him comfortable if they say we can take him x
Re: What have I done to him? Dont panic Angela, he'll be all right. Just stay calm and keep him warm until the vet gets back to you. Don't give him any human medication. Deep breaths. In the worst case, he'll be fine until you can get to the vet tomorrow - he'll just be more comfortable if you can get him some pain medication, that's all.
