Experience with retrievers tail/ cold tail/limp tail?

[bonecollector23]

Today took my 9 month pup on a duck hunt. He did great and retrieved all but one. Later, in the afternoon I notice his tail was limp and he would whimper when I touched his tail. I immediately took him to the vet and the vet concluded he had retriever tail due to the cold water and weather. I would like to know does anyone here have experience with retriever tail? If so, how can I prevent it? Does this mean that my pup will always get retriever tail when hunting later in the season?

Thanks
Bc23

[krakadawn]

He may or may not ever get this condition again. I have seen them get this condition when the water was not that cold. Just rest him and you'll see a positive change in a few days.

[fishy steve]

my lab will get it even from alot of playing with other dogs in a day... asked my vet about it and he called it swimmers tail, and said they quite ofton get it from doing alot of swimming... ussually only lasts a day in my dog...

[dutchhunter]

I do not know a lot about retrievers but beagle guys will some times duck tape there tails to keep them for getting cut up real bad .I have seen some get cut up on the ears but the tails get it the worst .good luck with your dog Dutch

[Sharon]

He may or may not ever get this condition again. I have seen them get this condition when the water was not that cold. Just rest him and you'll see a positive change in a few days.

X2..................

[krakadawn]

This is a muscle issue at base of tail, usually quite painful....thus tail hanging down looking 'broken'. Tail damage can be common to other breeds as well. Ask the bird dog guys about 'Bloody Mary" and dogs having tails trimmed in order to heal.

[1redneck1]

This is a muscle issue at base of tail, usually quite painful....thus tail hanging down looking 'broken'. Tail damage can be common to other breeds as well. Ask the bird dog guys about 'Bloody Mary" and dogs having tails trimmed in order to heal.

My pointers "indian name " is wounded tail. LOL He can't come back from the bush without blood all over it.

[CocoZoo]

My lab has it right now. She's had it once before when she was in her 1st year (she's 5 now). Pretty bad this time though. Rest and some aspirin with food.

Apparently, my dog also has "Happy Tail" syndrome. Apparently there is such a thing. She wags her tail with such force (enough to bruise your knee cap.... Yeah, fun) that she splits the tip open. The result is blood flinging everywhere.

[Sharon]

Yes there is such a thing. Fortunately I have one setter who runs with a straight- out, motionless tail . Great for avoiding injury , but not liked for trial purposes.

[Dakota Creek]

Although most often associated with retrievers ......

http://www.whole-dog-journal.com/iss...s/15685-1.html