Limber Tail Syndrome In Dogs

Years ago while working in a small animal veterinary practice in Ohio, I saw my first case of Limber Tail Syndrome in a big, handsome, yellow Labrador Retriever. Being a Lab (which of course made him, by nature, perpetually happy), this poor dog was desperately trying to wag his tail, but it was hanging defiantly, limp and lifeless at an odd angle between his back legs.

The veterinarian I worked with at the time referred to it as “Dead Tail”, which I thought sounded rather alarming. As did the dog’s owner, who insisted that his dog had been just fine until he had gone swimming in a large nearby lake earlier that day. Hours later, his tail had suddenly “stopped working”.

So What Is Limber Tail Syndrome?

Fortunately, the Lab’s condition sounded much more ominous than it was. Limber Tail Syndrome (also known as “acute caudal myopathy” in the veterinary world and “Sprung Tail”, “Cold Tail”, or “Broken Wag” amongst dog parents) is a muscle injury that is more common in working dogs such as Labs, Pointers, Foxhounds, Setters, and Beagles, but can occur in any dog with a long tail.

This painful condition causes the tail of the dog to either hang completely down between the legs from the base of the tail, or stick straight out horizontally for 3-4 inches, then drop straight down. Understandably, many dog parents who witness this condition believe that their dog’s tail must have somehow become broken.

Because their tails are so painful, dogs with Limber Tail Syndrome may have a hard time sitting or lying down. They may also pace, change positions very gingerly, or cry out while trying to urinate or defecate. In some dogs, the hair near the base of their tails may appear raised due to swelling in the area. And tail wagging temporarily becomes all but impossible.

The video below shows what a dog with Limber Tail Syndrome may look like:

What Causes Limber Tail Syndrome?

This sudden onset condition is usually caused by overworking the coccygeal muscles located at the base of the dog’s tail. The muscles become inflamed and swell, which can in turn cause surrounding connective tissue to tighten up, partially cutting off blood supply to the dog’s tail.

Limber Tail Syndrome can occur after swimming, or after a busy day of hunting or field work that requires heavy tail action. Dogs can also develop Limber Tail Syndrome from being confined in crates for long periods of time. Dogs who are transported for long distances by car or plane may arrive at their destination with Limber Tail.

Strangely enough, some dogs who are bathed with water that is too cold or too warm, or dogs who are exposed to cold, wet weather, may also exhibit symptoms of Limber Tail Syndrome, although no one knows exactly why. In any case, almost all affected dogs will return to normal within a few days with no permanent damage.

Diagnosis

Diagnosing Limber Tail Syndrome can be done by ruling out other causes of injury, including tail fractures or spinal trauma. This can usually be accomplished with x-rays and careful palpation (an examination done by a veterinarian gently moving the dog’s tail and feeling the bones from the outside).

Since a limp tail can also be a sign of neurological or metabolic disorders, spinal tumors, tail fractures, infections, or other diseases, Limber Tail Syndrome can often be mistaken for something far more serious. This is where clinical history becomes very important. If the dog’s tail was fine, and then suddenly it wasn’t (especially if the episode occurs after swimming or vigorous activity), this usually indicates the onset of the syndrome rather than a more serious condition.

Treating Limber Tail Syndrome

Fortunately, most cases of Limber Tail Syndrome resolve on their own within 2-3 days. However, there are things that can be done to make this recovery period less painful.

Affected dogs should be kept quiet and rested while they are recovering, and mild pain medication can be given to help with soreness. There is some evidence that, if given early enough,  anti-inflammatory drugs can help shorten the duration of the syndrome, but veterinary studies have yet to definitively confirm this. Some guardians of working or field dogs with Limber Tail Syndrome have reported a much quicker recovery time when their dogs were given veterinary acupuncture treatments.

If you suspect your dog may have Limber Tail Syndrome, have him or her checked out by a veterinarian to be sure. Do not try to treat your dog at home with over-the-counter human anti-inflammatory medications like aspirin, acetaminophen, or ibuprofen. Dogs cannot break down these medications effectively, and in some cases (as with ibuprofen or acetaminophen), they can be extremely toxic, causing liver or kidney failure.

Can Limber Tail Syndrome Be Prevented?

Some dogs who experience this syndrome have it once, and it never happens again. Other dogs can have repeated episodes. If your dog experiences Limber Tail Syndrome, try to identify the activity that brought it on and avoid repeating the suspected situation.

To reduce risk, get your dog accustomed to intense activity slowly, then build up his physical condition over time. Many cases of Limber Tail occur when a dog has been more sedentary than normal during an off-season, then goes head first full-time into training, swimming, or hunting. If your dog is healthy and has no physical limitations, running with your dog is a great way to start conditioning him.

Avoid crating your dog immediately after swimming or vigorous exercise, and try to keep him moving for at least 15 minutes afterwards to cool down. Likewise, if you’re traveling long distances with your dog while he’s in a crate, be sure to stop regularly to give him a chance to move and stretch his legs.

Additionally, try not to bathe your dog late in the evening, since some dogs who curl up immediately afterward and go to sleep can wake up the next day with Limber Tail Syndrome.

A Mysterious Malady

Despite what we seem to know about Limber Tail Syndrome, it’s still not fully understood. Researchers don’t seem to believe that it has a genetic component, and despite the fact that it occurs more often in working dogs, this is more likely due to their higher level of activity than to their breed. Unfortunately, any dog with a tail can be affected.

The good news is, although in very rare cases a dog’s tail can be permanently affected by multiple episodes, the vast majority of dogs with Limber Tail Syndrome go on to recover fully, and many only experience one episode in their lifetime. So if your happily-wagging dog suddenly loses his “wag”, don’t panic – see your vet to rule out other conditions, then let his body recover. He should be back to his happy self in no time.  🙂

Have you ever had a dog with Limber Tail Syndrome? Please tell us about it in the comments below!