Limber tail syndrome

Limber tail syndrome, or acute caudal myopathy, is a disorder of the muscles in the tail, usually affecting working dogs.

An injury occurring mostly in sporting or working dogs such as English Pointers, English Setters, Foxhounds, Beagles, and Labrador Retrievers. Limber Tail Syndrome is also known as Swimmer's tail, Cold Water Tail, Broken Tail, Dead Tail or Broken Wag.

Signs and symptoms

The injury affects the tail of the dog, causing it to be painful at or near its base. Limber Tail can be recognized by a very flaccid tail, or a tail that is held horizontally for 3 to 4 inches, and then drops vertically.

Cause

It has been said that limber tail may be caused by swimming in water that is too cold or too warm. However, these claims are false, and any resource citing these claims is unreliable and should be regarded with skepticism. The actual cause is narrowing of the space through which the spinal cord passes, typically due to degenerative change to the intervertebral disk spaces. These underlying changes may not lead to visible change until the problem is suddenly exacerbated-- such as during physical activity, after trauma, etc. Occasionally other changes are seen prior to or in conjunction with limber tail disease, such as urinary or fecal incontinence, postural abnormalities in the pelvic limb, or pain in response to touching the lower back.

Treatment

To maximize the potential for a full recovery, treatment must be instituted immediately. It is important to differentiate this disease from diseases that could cause the same signs, such as cancer along the vertebra or spine, neurological disorders, metabolic disorders, intoxication, infection, and other disease. In many cases, immediate surgical intervention will be recommended. If surgical treatment is not available or if the client cannot afford to pursue, or if the case is mild, rest and anti-inflammatory drugs will provide comfort and may allow for some degree of recovery. Recovery can take a day to a couple weeks. The symptoms may reoccur later on.

Sources

• http://www.working-retriever.com/library/cwtail.html
• http://www.woodhavenlabs.com/limbertail-update704.html
• Steiss, Janet E. & Wright, J.C., Limber Tail Syndrome in Hunting Dogs, Sports Medicine Program Newsletter, Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine, Winter 1995
• Grayson, Peggy, Water and the dead tail syndrome, Dog World, May 5, 1995

• Coccygeal muscle injury in English pointers (Limber tail). Steiss, J. et al. J Vet Intern Med1999;13:540-548