Cold Tail Syndrome or Cold Water Tail Syndrome (vet, symptoms, swimming)

[norcalmom101]

Has anyone heard about this?

I have a dalmation mix (or pure but missing alot of spots!) and she had periodic low back/tail spasms that cause her alot of pain.

One time her tail spasmed so bad it stuck out straight.

I can tell when she has this coming on due to the pained look in her eyes, and it can last for days.

A vet said it was "cold tail syndrome" and that not much is known about it, except it seems most prevalent in certain hunting dogs.

She also will sometimes randomly shriek if touched in the low back area, but other times is fine.

Help!

[cleosmom]

I've not heard of it and I appreciate learning something new daily.

Here's a link I found on it Cold Tail, Dead Tail, Limber Tail

[norcalmom101]

Great link, thank you Cleosmom!

[srwood7]

I have a 10 year old dalmation who is prone to cold tail especially when she's got herself over excited. It takes a good few days to sort itself out and she really does feel sorry for herself.

[pdxqt]

My dog Marley, just experienced cold tail syndrome this past weekend. We took her to the river to introduce her to swimming, the water was pretty cold. I thought she had broken her tail or had been stung by a bee - turns out it was cold tail syndrome. I give her a baby aspirin to help with the pain, but from what I read it takes about a week to heal.

From what I have read on it, it doesn't really sound like what you have described. Maybe she has a pinched nerve?

[norcalmom101]

Originally Posted by pdxqt

My dog Marley, just experienced cold tail syndrome this past weekend. We took her to the river to introduce her to swimming, the water was pretty cold. I thought she had broken her tail or had been stung by a bee - turns out it was cold tail syndrome. I give her a baby aspirin to help with the pain, but from what I read it takes about a week to heal.

From what I have read on it, it doesn't really sound like what you have described. Maybe she has a pinched nerve?

Do they have doggie chiropractors?

[pdxqt]

I live in Portland, OR right now and I believe they do have them here, for sure we have accupunture for pets. You may want to google for them in your area.

[hunterdog57]

A doggie chiropractor would not be any help for cold tail. The muscles of the tail run thru a sheath. When they swell, there is no room for the expansion because of the sheath. It takes a few days for the swelling to go down. Over exertion(too much tail wagging/use) will also cause the same symptoms.