Limber Tail Syndrome in Dogs

Limber tail syndrome is one of several names for the medical condition also known as acute caudal myopathy. It is also commonly known as cold tail, swimmer’s tail, and broken wag. The tail of an affected dog will either hang down limply or will extend out straight for two to three inches and then drop down. This condition generally resolves within just a few days, however, it also mimics other disorders with more serious consequences, and evaluation by a veterinary professional is recommended.

Limber tail syndrome is another name for acute caudal myopathy, a temporary condition where the dog is unable to lift its tail and it hangs down limply.

Signs of limber tail typically happen within twenty-four hours of strenuous activity, particularly swimming or activity that occurs in a cold environment. The tail either hangs limp or sticks out straight for two to three inches and then hangs down. Additional signs that your dog has acquired this disorder include: 

• Difficulty defecating
• Loss of appetite
• Pain at base of tail
• Reluctance to sit 
• Swelling at base of tail
• Whimpering or vocalizations

Types

Although any dog can develop a case of acute caudle myopathy, it is much more common for active working dogs and sporting dogs, particularly hunting dogs. Dogs that spend a great deal of time playing or working in water, particularly cold water, are much more likely than others to develop this disorder, giving it its alternate name of swimmer’s tail. Dog breeds that are overrepresented with this condition can include:

• American Water Spaniel
• Basset Hound
• Beagle
• Brittany Spaniel
• Chesapeake Bay Retriever
• English Pointer
• English Setter
• Flat-coated Retriever
• Foxhound
• German Shorthaired Pointer
• Golden Retriever
• Irish Setter
• Labrador Retriever
• Springer Spaniel
• Vizsla

This syndrome is caused by pain and swelling at the base of the tail, either due to overwork or stress injuries. It is believed that the pain and swelling of this condition is caused partially due to restricted blood flow to the muscles that control the tail. There are circumstances that can trigger this syndrome including:

• Cold water bathing
• Cold, wet weather
• Hunting
• Long-term confinement to crate
• Swimming

While limber tail is often a disorder that can be managed at home, canines with the signs of this disorder should be seen by the veterinarian as it can mimic more serious disorders, and can be quite painful. As such, the diagnosis of limber tail syndrome is generally a diagnosis of exclusion.  The examining veterinarian will want to evaluate the patient’s overall health and well-being by performing a general physical examination.

This will include checking the dog’s respiration, heart rate, and temperature, as well as getting a full history of the dog, both a medical history and an account of the patient’s recent activities. The anal glands will be examined to ensure that there is no infection or inflammation, and in order to determine the condition of the bones in the tail and lower back x-ray imaging may be recommended. This will help rule out skeletal disorders such as a broken tail, osteoarthritis, or a diseased intervertebral disk.

Limber tail syndrome typically clears up on its own in just a few days with a period of rest, although it tends to be quite uncomfortable for the dog until it heals. By reducing the amount of activity and keeping the patient calm and quiet the discomfort will be somewhat mitigated, but there are a few other methods that can be used to ease both the pain and swelling. The simplest way of relieving the pain and discomfort is often a warm compress periodically applied to the base of the tail, which helps to stimulate blood flow to the area.

Your veterinarian may also recommend anti-inflammatory pain medications, usually in the form of NSAIDs specifically formulated for dogs. 

Dogs with limber tail have an excellent prognosis, and even dogs that are effectively untreated tend to recover in a short amount of time and the condition doesn’t have a tendency to become chronic. There are a few things that you can do to help prevent it from happening in the first place. These methods can include things such as avoiding icy water (particularly for dogs who are not in top condition), ensuring that your dog is not left in a crate for too long, and making sure that the animal is not pushed too hard, particularly after a long period of reduced activity.