Limp tail

[Luv2Hurt]

Had my dog Cody the chocolate Lab at the woods/river last Friday.  Anyhow he swam his ass off did tons of long retrieves in the water and we then walked a couple miles. he ran I walked LOL.  well anyhow I noticed the next day or so his tail seemed to be flaccid just kind of hung down.  he was able to lift it with some effort going crap and peeing but it was sort of bent?  He raised it a full up a couple times today when he stretched out.  On todays walk it seemed more normal more neutral position.  I noticed it was a little sore and slightly swollen near the base about 3 inches out.  I searched the net and found this can happen after a day of vigorous exercise like he had.  basically it said he probably injured the muscles in his tail, it goes non stop at the woods and in the water LOL  I started to give him an aspirin 2 times a day, the searches said this can help some and usually in time it clears up.  Glad it appears to be improving some already.  It does not appear to cause him a lot of pain but some discomfort, if I feel the swollen/tender area.

Any thoughts?

[Princess L]

It sounds like a hard day of exercise and he feels just like we would feel after a tough workout.  Don't dogs use their tails a lot when in the water?  Kinda like a rudder?

[Luv2Hurt]

It sounds like a hard day of exercise and he feels just like we would feel after a tough workout.  Don't dogs use their tails a lot when in the water?  Kinda like a rudder?

Yeah they do use it a lot and he had a big day, he was not really in shape for that much swimming, but try and hold him back LOL.  my research I did on the subject seems to say its sort of a condition and clears up with rest, but could be other things as well.  What makes me pretty ceretian it is this "limp tail" thing is they said it very often happens right after a very active day like he had.  Swimming was almost always mentioned in the occurances I read about.

I wanna bring him to daycare tommorow but wonder if all the activity would not be good for him right now?  Maybe I should rest him a few days more, it seems like it is still improving but there is sometimes a bend near where the inflamation is about 3 inches from the base of the tail.  The stuff I read it usually clears up in a few days to a week or so.

[Butterbean]

Yeah they do use it a lot and he had a big day, he was not really in shape for that much swimming, but try and hold him back LOL.  my research I did on the subject seems to say its sort of a condition and clears up with rest, but could be other things as well.  What makes me pretty ceretian it is this "limp tail" thing is they said it very often happens right after a very active day like he had.  Swimming was almost always mentioned in the occurances I read about.

I wanna bring him to daycare tommorow but wonder if all the activity would not be good for him right now?  Maybe I should rest him a few days more, it seems like it is still improving but there is sometimes a bend near where the inflamation is about 3 inches from the base of the tail.  The stuff I read it usually clears up in a few days to a week or so.

I would call my Vet regarding if it's OK for him to go to daycare.   Also, get their thoughts on if your suspicions are correct and if there is anything else you can do for him.   No charge to call and talk to the vet and better safe than sorry!

I emailed this thread to Flower but she is really busy lately. 

Hope he gets well soon Luv!

[Luv2Hurt]

I would call my Vet regarding if it's OK for him to go to daycare.   Also, get their thoughts on if your suspicions are correct and if there is anything else you can do for him.   No charge to call and talk to the vet and better safe than sorry!

I emailed this thread to Flower but she is really busy lately. 

Hope he gets well soon Luv!

Yeah that is good advice but, the vet will just say bring him and charge me $50-60 they never diagnose anything over the phone and will never tell me much of anything other then bring him in for an appointment.  Maybe I need a better vet or something who will take the time.  I guess i could give it a try, but I know the way it usually works here.  Thanks for the kind words.  All to often a trip to the dog woods has Cody ending up injured....it is very frustrating and can get expensive.  Times are really tight if you know what Im saying?

http://www.woodhavenlabs.com/limbertail-update704.html

[Luv2Hurt]

Awww!  lol @ his cute tail    You sound like a good owner Luv!

Thank God Cody is doing so much better

 , Thank you STella, it did take some time to become a good owner.  The first dog I had as a teenager I was not as good, not mean just did not understand what dogs need and I was a teenager......TBH I still feel really bad and guilty about how that dog got treated later in her life, gets me really upset when I think about it. It's one of the biggest things in my life I wish I could do over.  Will never make or let those mistakes be made again.

Yes glad to report he is back full steam, last week he went swiming, I did limit then the amount he did cause it was first time back in the water. He did a couple daycare sessions since too and is doing good, tail working in full effect.

[Butterbean]

Yes glad to report he is back full steam, last week he went swiming, I did limit then the amount he did cause it was first time back in the water. He did a couple daycare sessions since too and is doing good, tail working in full effect.

Good to hear this Luv.  Thanks for the update!