Tail question for those with tailed dogs

[rottie597]

This is a notweiler problem. My 9 yr. old genius mutt has, all of a sudden, lost the ability to hold her tail high( she's a beagle mix...so she usually has her little flag hoisted). One day a few days ago, she looked sluggish in the morning, would not eat anything ( she did by afternoon though) and the next day her tail was permanently down. Now, her energy and appetite are back but only the 2 inches of tail closest to her body elevate, the rest droops down. She has no pain in the tail or otherwise. It's a mystery....I'll go to the vet next week if it's not better. Any ideas?

[BostonRott]

Based on your location, I'd guess it's not "cold tail." What about a tick borne disease? Isn't there something down there called coon dog paralysis (or something similar) that is carried by ticks.

Personally, I'd see if I could get the dog in on Monday (ASAP).

[rottie597]

Thanks for the reply, Gretchen. Persy's tail is getting back closer to normal height this evening so I'm not sure what to think. Will check her Monday and decide for the vet then:)

[dmoniz]

When Kaylee hurt her back she wouldn't hold her tail up...

[DoofiesMom]

This will sound odd, but have you bathed your dog recently? Has she gone swimming or been exposed to water in any way? "Dead Tail" or "Cold Tail" can be brought on by the tail getting wet and not sufficently drying (among other reasons). Unfortunately I don't have specific medical information to give, but this is common in the sporting breeds, i.e. setters, pointers, retrievers, etc. It usually comes on quick, and how the tail presents varies. I've seen them where the tail clamps down between the legs like a dead appendage, to a partial droop where only the last half of the tail is down. Sometimes a fully dropped tail will come up slowly and then you will see what you are describing, only a few inches of droop. In most cases, the tail will come up by it's own in a few days. The dogs do seem to be painful while the tail is down. If this is indeed "cold tail" they seem to be suspectible to it after they get it once. Therefore, if you are able to link this to a recent exposure to water, the next time she swims or you bathe her be sure to dry the tail area thoroughly with towels and a blow dryer, if need be!

Definitely see your vet about this, "cold tail" is not the only explanation. Your dog could have a back or a tail injury. A "jammed tail" can cause pain and a lower than normal tail carriage. Another thought is older dogs can get compression of the discs in the lower back, i.e. "cauda equina syndrome." The nerve root entrapment associated with cauda equina syndrome can cause the tail to droop. I would ask the vet about all of these possibilities.

Good luck with your girl....hopefully the vet can straighten this all out for you Monday. Until then, I would crate rest or confine her.