Your dog’s tail is usually wagging away, but suddenly it hangs straight down and your dog seems sore. This may be limber tail syndrome, also called swimmer’s tail, cold tail, dead tail or broken wag. Vets call it acute caudal myopathy. It looks worrying, but most dogs recover fully within a few days to two weeks.
Limber tail is a strain or injury of the muscles at the base of the tail. The muscles become inflamed and painful, so the dog can’t lift or wag the tail normally.
Limber tail is usually linked to overuse or strain of the tail muscles. Common triggers include:
Limber tail is most common in active, working and sporting breeds, such as:
Our article on signs your dog is in pain explains other subtle signs of discomfort.
Other problems can cause a droopy or painful tail, so it’s a good idea to have your vet check your dog. These include:
Most dogs recover with simple care:
Never give your dog human pain medicine. Many are toxic to dogs. Our pet poison guide explains why.
Most dogs start to improve within a few days and are back to normal within about one to two weeks. If your dog isn’t improving, call your vet.
Yes. It can be quite painful, especially in the first day or two.
Yes. Some dogs have repeat episodes, so preventive steps help.
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