Your Why is my dog’s tail not wagging? Expert Advice

Symptoms of Limber Tail Syndrome in Dogs

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
  • What Is Limp Tail?

    Limp tail refers to an injury affecting a dogs tail as a result of strenuous exercise. Technically, this medical condition is called acute caudal myopathy. It occurs after rigorous activity in which transient damage occurs to the muscles, ligaments, and tendons at the base of the tail. Occasionally, minor damage to the vertebrae may occur. Limp tail is a painful condition, so an affected dog will be unable to raise its tail or wag.

    What is limber tail syndrome?

    Limber tail is a condition in dogs that makes their tail appear as if it is broken. It is often called “swimmer’s tail” because many affected dogs had gone swimming before their tail became limp.

    Other names for limber tail include cold water tail, broken wag, broken tail, limp tail, or the official name “Acute Caudal Myopathy.”

    Interpret Dog Tail Wags: How to Understand Dog’s Body Language

    This article will break down the symptoms, causes, and treatments of the condition known as limber tail (also known as limp tail, cold tail, and broken wag).

    Also known as “cold water tail,” “limp tail” or “broken wag,” not many dog owners are aware of the fact that dogs may develop tail problems until one day the dogs tail becomes limp, lifeless, and flaccid as seen in dog limber tail syndrome.

    If youve never heard about this term before, dont be surprised—many people are not aware of it, and even some vets are not very familiar with it as it is not very common.

    This condition seems to most likely prefer dogs of a particular breed. However, virtually any dog can be affected. Common breeds affected by this condition are: