BarbedWire Posted January 6, 2016 Share Posted January 6, 2016 My 8yo dog who normally has a tail carried upright over her back now often (not always) carries it low between her legs. Should I be concerned? Is it a sign of a spinal problem or degeneration? Thanks in advance Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted January 6, 2016 Share Posted January 6, 2016 A vet visit will give you some answers, sars. :) it could be all sorts of things . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cavNrott Posted January 7, 2016 Share Posted January 7, 2016 It's probably Collie tail or swimmers tail. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted January 7, 2016 Share Posted January 7, 2016 It's probably Collie tail or swimmers tail. But does that happen "often" ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cavNrott Posted January 7, 2016 Share Posted January 7, 2016 Yes, it's not a rare occurrence. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted January 7, 2016 Share Posted January 7, 2016 I mean in the same dog ... sorry . I have had two dogs suffer from it .. but only once each over their life ... didn't know it could recur ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted January 7, 2016 Share Posted January 7, 2016 sars .. cold tail, anal gland probs, lower spine ouchies, are the obvious ones ... is the rest of the dog normal? ear carriage, posture? is dog happy and behaviour normal at these times? When you go to the vet ... could you get a video to show them? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BarbedWire Posted January 7, 2016 Author Share Posted January 7, 2016 I have already done some googling and I did find Collie tail and Swimmers' tail. I don't think she has these but I think there might be a connection with her jumping up to catch a ball with all four feet off the ground. Sometimes she twists a bit, and I think it might be hurting her back. Because of this I no longer throw balls for her but the other day at the dog park she found a ball and begged a guy to throw it for her and afterwards her tail was down again. Apparently dogs can get injured from catching frisbees. If it is this the recommended treatment is rest. I have also wondered if she is just a bit miserable because she has recently lost her mate. She looks quite woebegone when her tail is down and she walks slowly as if depressed, not like her usual hyperactive self. I know I should take her to the vet but she hates going - she has to be muzzled - so I really don't want to take her unless it is serious. it's also difficult to explain to the vet what her symptoms are as they do come and go and while I am at the vet she will just be struggling to get out of there asap, lunging at the door and crying and I will probably burst into tears because it will remind me of my old boy. The last time I went to the vet he was pts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted January 7, 2016 Share Posted January 7, 2016 Sars..get some video of her ..to show the vet - that will make diagnosis a bit easier . You may be correct with a back injury .Do you have a good canine chiro nearby? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jumabaar Posted January 8, 2016 Share Posted January 8, 2016 I would be a little concerned with a change in tail carriage. Are there any mobile vets in your area or ones happy to do consults in a park. This would be a case where if I could assure myself that the dog is otherwise normal I would see how she responded to some pain relief meds, and to do that I need to at least see the dog in person. I have had consults where I did little more than pat, give treats, the dog while talking the owner through showing me everything I needed. If she responds then you know that something is painful and you can create a plan to monitor and investigate. If she doesn't then that will help you create a different plan. I don't think leaving her with just rest is the best thing. Perse- the video is a great idea and that is how I do all my exercise plans and diagnostics for my online rehab clients. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BarbedWire Posted January 8, 2016 Author Share Posted January 8, 2016 Thank you for the advice. Pers, I can't take videos. (So much to learn and so little time left.) Her tail is up over her back again today. She carries it like a flag. Jumabaar if it comes and goes is it urgent? There is a vet at my local vets who was great treating my other dog for a bee sting. I liked her manner - confident and no fuss. My dog might settle for her. I thought I might give it a try, but is it urgent? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poppop Posted January 11, 2016 Share Posted January 11, 2016 If the tail being down is short-lived, it may well be Dead Tail or Cold Tail (imagine these are the same as Collie tail and Swimmers' tail already mentioned). It can last up to 5 days, and looks like the base of the tail is normal, and then almost like there is a break and the rest of the tail hangs limply. It's uncomfortable for the dog, painful even. It can come from the tail being wet and cold, eg after swimming in cold water. One of my dogs got it from being outside on a warmish but windy day after a bath, and she then let me hold a warm wheat bag to it twice a day for a few minutes to soothe it. My other dog had it once also, and wouldn't let me near it. Some people say to give anti-inflammatories for it. If it's Dead Tail or Cold Tail, it will go away regardless within about 5 days. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BarbedWire Posted January 11, 2016 Author Share Posted January 11, 2016 Thankyou for the answers. poppop what you describe sounds exactly like it but she has never been near water in her life and is not a hound. It just seems to be connected with jumping up with all four off the ground to catch a ball. ATM she is on prednil for an itchy skin and and I think that is also an anti-inflammatory and she does seem okay. I just rang the vet and the vet I thought I might try is on leave. My availability is also limited because of important medical appointments of my own and as well I have had a minor car accident and am going to be without a car. I will take her to a vet if it happens again. Thank you everyone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ness Posted January 11, 2016 Share Posted January 11, 2016 Might have bruised it to if she landed on it funny. That can also cause the tail to sag. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Spotted Devil Posted January 11, 2016 Share Posted January 11, 2016 (edited) My Dally had "cold water tail" after a pigs ear didn't agree with him. Likely strained a muscle, based on the mess I came home to Poor lad was miserable for a few days and then came good. Edited January 11, 2016 by The Spotted Devil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BarbedWire Posted September 2, 2016 Author Share Posted September 2, 2016 Just bringing this thread up again. The dog with the limp tail now has back issues and she has a vet appointment at 4.45 today. Just looking for advice and info. I have wondered about her back a lot over the last few months and I thought something might be going on but she always seemed to pick up and I let it go because she hates vets so much. The last few days she cannot always jump up on to the chairs (my dogs are allowed on the chairs) and this morning I was going to lift her up but she yelped and I then made the appointment. Can anyone tell me about disc issues in dogs and what sort of treatment is available and how much it is likely to cost. I am very worried not only about her but also because there are a lot of human family issues going on at the moment. If anyone has been following my threads it is the same dog who has anxiety, convulsions, and food allergies. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted September 2, 2016 Share Posted September 2, 2016 What a worry for you , sars - no bad back experience here , but hope the vet can be of help - you know the routine ..no jumping or steps , keep her warm ..maybe a wheat pak on her back to relax the muscles ? Oh - and rescue remedy for you both ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Papillon Kisses Posted September 2, 2016 Share Posted September 2, 2016 (edited) Hi Sars, I'm so glad you posted. :) My dog has back issues, and they actually stem from his anxiety. He spends so much time in a tightly wound, crouched position that when he finally stretches out beyond his usual range of motion he hurts his back quite badly. It was explained to me as being similar to how humans can reach for something in the back seat of the car and hurt themselves. And then being in pain makes his anxiety worse. My dog has been in agony from this. As in totally shut down, frozen, shaking, crying and refusing to be touched/carried. My GP vet thought it was a slipped disc from jumping the wrong way or falling, but there were never any triggering events as such. They prescribed pain relief, strict rest and sardines to avoid ummm straining, then a gradual return to walking... but we never got to the cause or how to prevent it happening again. Which it did. So, I recommend seeing a specialist whatever the result is from your consult. We saw Dr Jaime Jackson (Jumabaar on DOL), who gave my dog a thorough work up and it was clear that it was a muscular-type issue and not a disc thing. (I might be saying this wrong but hopefully the gist is there). We have exercises to do now that have improved his range of motion a lot. He hurt his neck recently and the difference in him from the start to the end of the session with Jaime was amazing. Massive drop in anxiety and heart rate, more stretched out instead of hunched up, and not so reactive to minor noise disturbances. Every little thing was bothering him, as happens when you're in pain. Anyway, this is just my experience with my anxious dog and back pain. As Perse says, keep your dog warm and try to prevent her from jumping and going up/down steps. Also try to keep her calm if you can: obviously this can be hard, I totally get it as someone with an anxious dog, but if any of her triggers can be avoided do so. For example, with my dog I kept him away from loud noises where possible (no lawn mowing!) shut the house up and played calming music. But try not to freak out, ok? Because while the pain is real, the cause from a physical perspective may not be as bad as it seems. :) Edited September 2, 2016 by Papillon Kisses Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BarbedWire Posted September 2, 2016 Author Share Posted September 2, 2016 Thank you Pers and PK that is a really reassuring post. Your dog sounds so like my dog. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Papillon Kisses Posted September 2, 2016 Share Posted September 2, 2016 How did it go Sars? I hope the consult was not too stressful for you and your girl. xx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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