To Lab owners (swimmers tail?)

I was out duck hunting with my 16 month old lab this morning and I just noticed that his tail is straight down and he does not want me touching it. I did some searching and it appears it may be “swimmers tail”, but im not sure. He had a couple very long retrieves today on a wounded goose that put up a fight the whole way back in and a canvasback that dove and swam halfway across the lake before he got to it. Well, do you guys think that it is swimmers tail? What can I do to help it get better? Should I take him to the vet? Also, Im leaving for canada on sunday morning and woundering if he will be ok to hunt mon-fri next week. That will be all field hunting tho. Just woundering if anyone has dealt with this and knows how to take care of it and how to avoid it. He has been swimming a lot this summer working on his hunting skills and it has never happend before.

Thanks for any help, Bill

I would try to get a hold of Don Hanson here on the site. That is if he doesnt see this first. He has a good amount of experience with dogs and I am sure he would shed some light on the subject for you.

Don Hanson

I would try to get a hold of Don Hanson here on the site. That is if he doesnt see this first. He has a good amount of experience with dogs and I am sure he would shed some light on the subject for you.

Don Hanson

Swimmer’s tail, as the name suggests, is a condition seen in swimmers, especially Labrador Retrievers. Also known as “limber tail” or “Cold water tail,” this condition typically strikes young adult dogs – those that swim in cold water, those that are transported in crates for prolonged periods, and those that are overworked when they’re out of condition. A dog suddenly develops a flaccid tail that hangs down over his anus. Alternatively, he may have a tail that protrudes horizontally for a few inches, then droops straight down.

Swimmer’s tail is not just a simple sprain. When the muscles that run from one vertebra to another are overstrained, they swell. Unfortunately, these small muscle groups are surronded by a tight covering that limits space for expansion. As swelling continues, the pressure inside the sheath can become so great that blood flow to the muscle fibres is compromised. In severe cases, parts of the muscle may die.

The treatment for swimmer’s tail is rest, anti-inflammatory medication and time. Most dogs recover in less than a week. Prevention should focus on providing dogs with exercise breaks during long journeys and making sure dogs are well conditioned to perform in their sport.

written by Jeff Grognet

Swimmer’s tail, as the name suggests, is a condition seen in swimmers, especially Labrador Retrievers. Also known as “limber tail” or “Cold water tail,” this condition typically strikes young adult dogs – those that swim in cold water, those that are transported in crates for prolonged periods, and those that are overworked when they’re out of condition. A dog suddenly develops a flaccid tail that hangs down over his anus. Alternatively, he may have a tail that protrudes horizontally for a few inches, then droops straight down.

Swimmer’s tail is not just a simple sprain. When the muscles that run from one vertebra to another are overstrained, they swell. Unfortunately, these small muscle groups are surronded by a tight covering that limits space for expansion. As swelling continues, the pressure inside the sheath can become so great that blood flow to the muscle fibres is compromised. In severe cases, parts of the muscle may die.

The treatment for swimmer’s tail is rest, anti-inflammatory medication and time. Most dogs recover in less than a week. Prevention should focus on providing dogs with exercise breaks during long journeys and making sure dogs are well conditioned to perform in their sport.

written by Jeff Grognet

Very common both my dogs had it in there 1st 2 years . Couple baby asprins will help will get better with rest . Looks goofy don’t it, my wife about killed me the first time thought I broke her babies tail LOL

Very common both my dogs had it in there 1st 2 years . Couple baby asprins will help will get better with rest . Looks goofy don’t it, my wife about killed me the first time thought I broke her babies tail LOL

It is very comon even though you dont hear much about it. Leave her home for the week. She should be fine when you get home. The other option is bring her with and rest her the first 3-4 days. Dont leave her in the kennel though, she should have room to move and get up and walk around when ever. If this isant an option leave her hom.

It is very comon even though you dont hear much about it. Leave her home for the week. She should be fine when you get home. The other option is bring her with and rest her the first 3-4 days. Dont leave her in the kennel though, she should have room to move and get up and walk around when ever. If this isant an option leave her hom.

Thanks for the responses. Its nice to know it is comon and will get better. I sure hope I dont have to leave him home for the week. The canada trip is for both of us but it will be his first. I sure hope it gets better. I just find it odd. He is in great shape and is only in the crate when we are enroute to a hunting destination. When you guys are saying “rest” dose that mean no field work also or just keep him out of the water? I will give the vet a call in the morning. I will be keeping my fingers crossed for him. im just not sure I can go without him!

Thanks for the responses. Its nice to know it is comon and will get better. I sure hope I dont have to leave him home for the week. The canada trip is for both of us but it will be his first. I sure hope it gets better. I just find it odd. He is in great shape and is only in the crate when we are enroute to a hunting destination. When you guys are saying “rest” dose that mean no field work also or just keep him out of the water? I will give the vet a call in the morning. I will be keeping my fingers crossed for him. im just not sure I can go without him!

Stick, Crosby and the rest of the guys covered this pretty well. I would take it easy on him for the rest of the week. Walks and some light field work would be fine. usually it only takes a few days for most dogs to recover from this. I would check with your vet also and tell him about your travel plans.

Stick, Crosby and the rest of the guys covered this pretty well. I would take it easy on him for the rest of the week. Walks and some light field work would be fine. usually it only takes a few days for most dogs to recover from this. I would check with your vet also and tell him about your travel plans.

Thanks to all for the info

Thanks to all for the info