Dropped tail

[Luvdawgs]

My dog Ginger's tail now stays straight down between her legs. She is 16 and this is a fairly recent occurance. Her tail used to go out and up. Does anyone know what the cause of the dropped tail could be?

 

[HAH]

My dog Ginger's tail now stays straight down between her legs. She is 16 and this is a fairly recent occurance. Her tail used to go out and up. Does anyone know what the cause of the dropped tail could be?

I’d guess at something muscular, and would definitely get a vet to have a look (although it sounds like this is difficult for Ginger, so you might want a telephone consultation first?).

 

[Jacqui-S]

I would wonder at some degree of spinal spondylitis and nerve entrapment.......

 

[MellowYellow]

Does it seem painful? My dog Merlin gets what is known as 'cold water tail', where the nerves in the back/tail spasm and the tail drops down. It is very painful for him but luckily only happens if his back gets wet and cold, and gets better over a day or two using anti-inflammatories.

 

[Beanwood]

I would wonder at some degree of spinal spondylitis and nerve entrapment.......

Yes, this seems most likely - especially at 16 years old - best to discuss with vet. Any leg weakness - or other symptoms such as urgency to go to the toilet, or the odd accident?

 

[Stacia]

My dog Ginger's tail now stays straight down between her legs. She is 16 and this is a fairly recent occurance. Her tail used to go out and up. Does anyone know what the cause of the dropped tail could be?

This has happened to my 12 year old Lab and I have put it down to his arthritis. However, there is a condition called "Limber tail" which is due to pain in the muscles at base of tail, `I guess Ginger hasn't been swimming!? If it hangs there like a broken tail, you could pop him to the vet and get some pain killers, this condition is usually temporary. However, I would think it is something to do with the arthritis and old age

 

[Luvdawgs]

I’d guess at something muscular, and would definitely get a vet to have a look (although it sounds like this is difficult for Ginger, so you might want a telephone consultation first?).

We use a vet who works for a place called "Vets to Pets" where Ginger's vet comes to the house since Ginger will not ride in the car. The Librela seems to be lessening Ginger's effects from the arthritis, but the tail always hangs down. The Librela made the hump in her back lessen a lot. I will ask the vet when she visits to do the third Librela injection. Ginger doesn't swim and doesn't like the water.

 

[Luvdawgs]

Yes, this seems most likely - especially at 16 years old - best to discuss with vet. Any leg weakness - or other symptoms such as urgency to go to the toilet, or the odd accident?

Ginger has been having to urinate about every two hours for a few months now so if I don't get her outside she always has accidents in the house. She has leg weakness apparently because of the arthritis.

 

[Emily_Babbelhund]

I would wonder at some degree of spinal spondylitis and nerve entrapment.......

The Librela made the hump in her back lessen a lot.

Hugs to Ginger - she's a trooper (I have a big soft spot for our golden oldies). My dog Brogan (now passed) was diagnosed with spondylosis as a senior and that really caused his back to hump up too. He had no tail, but I imagine as @Jacqui-S says, it could do a number on their tail as part of the package.

I can understand your worry if you're used to seeing Ginger being waggy. My boy Brogan is super waggy but had some version of cold water tail at the end of last year and it was so sad to see that droopy tail. I hope Ginger can also get her wag back.