Limber tail is ultimately an injury to the tail muscles, usually from overexertion. It most frequently affects working dogs, sporting dogs, and hunting dogs after intensive hunting or athletic training, especially if the dog hasn’t had proper physical conditioning leading up to the work. Therefore, breeds that have very active lifestyles (and sometimes jobs) like Pointers, Hounds, Labrador Retrievers, Beagles, and Setters are somewhat predisposed to an injury like a limber tail.
The limber tail can similarly crop up in the “weekend warrior” dog that is not an athlete nor conditioned to intense exercise. In these cases, the dog is usually quite sedentary at home a majority of the time. Then, once in a blue moon, the dog is taken somewhere that ends up causing a major physical exertion.
A common weekend warrior example leading to a limber tail is a dog that was taken to a lake, swam and played vigorously in the water until exhausted, and shows signs of the limber tail the following day. Swimming is particularly common leading up to limber tail because the tail can become strained as it acts like a rudder and helps with balance during intense swimming sessions. This is usually more work than the tail is accustomed to on land.
Although it is less understood, there is also an association of limber tail with cold, wet conditions. These conditions (especially in water that is too cold) may cause a temporary lack of blood flow to the region, resulting in muscle injury, swelling, and pain that present as the limber tail.
Lastly, the prolonged time spent in crates is a risk factor for a limber tail. A crate that is too small may make the tail lay unnaturally for extended periods of time. Additionally, long periods in crates make for unhealthy, sedentary conditions and, sometimes, explosive excitation when released – all increasing the risk of many types of injuries.
[ad_2]