Limber tail syndrome

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Sections available in full article Introduction, Presenting signs, Age predisposition, Sex predisposition, Breed predisposition, Pathogenesis, Etiology, Predisposing factors, Pathophysiology, Timecourse (incubation, duration), Diagnosis, Presenting problems, Client history, Clinical signs, Diagnostic investigation, Confirmation of diagnosis, Differential diagnosis, Treatment, Initial symptomatic treatment, Prevention, Prophylaxis, Sequelae, Prognosis, Expected response to treatment, Sources, Publications, Vetstream contributor(s),
Contributors Mr John Houlton MA VetMB DVR DSAO DipECVS MRCVS
Synonyms cold water tail, limp tail, broken wag or broken tail

Introduction

  • Limber tail syndrome - also called cold water tail, limp tail, broken wag or broken tail - describes a relatively common condition in sporting dogs.
  • Cause : tail muscle damage, generally after swimming or exposure to cold or wet weather.
  • Signs : limp tail.
  • Diagnosis : clinical signs typical.
  • Treatment : symptomatic. Warm packs, analgesics and rest.
  • Prognosis : excellent - full recovery usually seen within days.

Diagnosis

Clinical signs

  • Pain may on palpation of the tail base.

Diagnosis

Differential diagnosis

  • Most owners and trainers familiar with the condition do not seek veterinary assistance.
  • Incorrect diagnoses reported include:
    • Tail fracture.
    • Spinal cord disease.
    • Impacted anal glands Anal sac impaction.
    • Prostatic disease Prostate disease.

Sequelae

Prognosis

  • Excellent.
  • Most dogs recover spontaneously within a few days to weeks.
  • Recurrence in around one-third of affected dogs.
  • Permanently altered tail posture seen in up to 16%.

Expected response to treatment

  • Significantly improved after a few days.
  • Full recovery certainly within weeks.

Sources

Publications

Refereed papers

  • Recent references from PubMed.
  • Houlton J E (2008) A survey of gundog lameness and injuries in great Britain in the shooting seasons of 2005/2006 and 2006/2007. Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 21 (3), 231-237 PubMed.
  • Steiss J, Braund K, Wright J, Lenz S, Hudson J, Brawner W, Hathcock J, Purohit R, Bell L, and Horne R (1999) Coccygeal Muscle Injury in English Pointers (Limber Tail). JVIM 13 (6), 540-548 PubMed.

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