Labrador has poorly tail

[ClaphamGT3]

Our 5 year-old, fit and healthy Labrador has suddenly lost the use of his tail today. He’s fine in himself, eating and not in discomfort but we noticed earlier today that he wasn’t wagging his tail and, as the day has worn on he’s been using it less and less until now he’s at the point where it’s between his hind legs like he’s been told off the whole time.

The only changes to normal routine is that he’s got wet every time he’s been for a walk for the last four days (apart from today) and, yesterday, he very uncharacteristic ally went for a swim when he was paddling on a slipway and fell off the edge of it. He hates water and I had to help him out.

Any ideas what might be up with him?

If no improvement tomorrow, I will take him to the vet but our vet here in France doesn’t do an out of hours service and closed at 17.00.

[Thevet]

Various titles for this but basically he has almost certainly strained the nerves supplying the muscles his tail, due usually to using the tail as a rudder or paddle in the water. Nothing specific can be done and 99% self cure over days and weeks with no long term ill effects. HTH and don't panic about dashing to the vet, as nothing can really be done apart from rest, and avoid water until tail fixed.

[mikees]

Thevet said:

Various titles for this but basically he has almost certainly strained the nerves supplying the muscles his tail, due usually to using the tail as a rudder or paddle in the water. Nothing specific can be done and 99% self cure over days and weeks with no long term ill effects. HTH and don't panic about dashing to the vet, as nothing can really be done apart from rest, and avoid water until tail fixed.

This. Also extreme cold can cause it. Nervey muscally spasmy thing

[ClaphamGT3]

Many thanks both - very reassuring to hear. I will walk him as normal tonight but, other than that, keep him inside and warm until tomorrow and pop him over to the vet at some point

[moorx]

mikees said:

Thevet said:

Various titles for this but basically he has almost certainly strained the nerves supplying the muscles his tail, due usually to using the tail as a rudder or paddle in the water. Nothing specific can be done and 99% self cure over days and weeks with no long term ill effects. HTH and don't panic about dashing to the vet, as nothing can really be done apart from rest, and avoid water until tail fixed.

This. Also extreme cold can cause it. Nervey muscally spasmy thing

Is this what's known as Swimmer's Tail?

[bexVN]

I have always known it as swimmers tail because it nearly always happens after a dog has been swimming,especially if a dog doesn't normally do a lot of swimming or if they needed to use their tail a lot (eg in the sea) and if really cold.

As The Vet has already said It usually recovers on its own after a few days possibly longer depending on how much the nerves were spasmed etc. It doesn't normally need veterinary intervention unless they appear to be in pain/lethargic or if you are not seeing at least some improvement over the next few days

Edited by bexVN on Thursday 26th December 19:53

[loskie]

Commonly called "cold tail"

https://www.thelabradorsite.com/limber-tail-cold-w...

[s2sol]

We used to have a lab who loved swimming, and the daft bugger used to do exactly this half a dozen times a year. He didn't seem to be in any pain, just looked miserable.

[HTP99]

Nothing to add apart from, this is very interesting information.

[ClaphamGT3]

Just to close this out, a huge thanks to all who sent reassuring and informative posts. Shuck - and his tail - is fully back to his old self and there is seemingly no lasting damage

[bexVN]

ClaphamGT3 said:

Just to close this out, a huge thanks to all who sent reassuring and informative posts. Shuck - and his tail - is fully back to his old self and there is seemingly no lasting damage

Thank you for the update. Was only thinking about him yesterday and hoping he was greatly improved