Swimmers Tail

[.300 R.U.M. Grizzly]

I had my chocolate swimming yesterday and this morning she woke up with swimmers tail! This is her first time with it. She was pretty grumpy when she got up. She doesn't seem to be in too much pain, just won't lift her tail.

[newhunterette]

Swimming dogs (especially Labs) manage to strain or pull the muscles at the base of their tails. The treatment is pain medication in the form of NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as Rimadyl and Metacam, and they get better.

[Foxton Gundogs]

What she said, I have used athrasin, an asa based artheritis pain releaver.

[Gunner]

My old chocloate Lab wagged so hard when I came home from my first surgery he gave himself swimmer's tail(a mild sprain). Some athrasin and he was soon fit as a fiddle. Gunner

[.300 R.U.M. Grizzly]

Thanks for the replies. Next time I head into the city I will be getting some meds for her because I imagine it will happen again as she loves to swim and I can't keep her out of the water.

[huntcoop]

I sometimes get swimmers nuts due to the cold water . Often they don't drop till I'm back 'round the campfire with a stiff Crown & Pepsi .

[Foxton Gundogs]

Thanks for the replies. Next time I head into the city I will be getting some meds for her because I imagine it will happen again as she loves to swim and I can't keep her out of the water.

Straight ASPRIN(ASA) will work in the mean time but NOT TYLONOL(ACETAMINOPHIN) it's poison to them.

[andrewscag]

Good call to be prepared! My guy got it last month and was miserable for a week. Wished I could have done more for him.

[Marc]

Make sure the dog rest up for a couple of weeks before you swim him again or you could possible agravate it again and make it cronic. My dog gets it every year usually because we hunt the fields hard all fall and only hit the water when things freeze up. Cold and unconditioned with lots of time spent in the water will trigger it. It can also be caused by cramped space for long durations. I've read that a dog that is cramped to long in a crate can also get bent tail or swimmers tail or limber tail.

[.300 R.U.M. Grizzly]

Thanks Marc. I was thinking about taking her to the lake today, but will give her another week to rest up.