Especially in summer, many dogs enjoy romping around in the water. They fetch toys, swim, or chase each other. These are great activities that correspond to the nature of the four-legged friends, exercise their muscles, and at the same time provide refreshment on hot days. Some breeds are particularly fond of water. These include Beagles, Labradors, Golden Retrievers, Setters, or Pointers. Especially in dogs that work very intensively, such as hunting dogs, and have high tail activity, so-called water tail (Caudal Myopathy) can occur. Find out what this entails and what symptoms to look for here.

What is Water Tail?

Water tail in dogs is a very painful injury to the tail base and surrounding nerves. It often occurs with excessive bathing in cold water. As a result, the dog not only struggles when wagging its tail but also when lying down, sitting, or jumping.

The exact cause of water tail is unclear, but studies suggest it arises from very high stress or swimming in cold water. The intense strain on the back and tail muscles, combined with cold, leads to severe muscle inflammation. This can result in the destruction of muscle cells and fibers. These so-called micro-traumas of the muscle fibers (muscle tears) are very painful for the dog. Males are more commonly affected than females, especially those that are younger, carry their tail very high, or show a lot of “tail movement”. Water tail can best be compared to a “pinched nerve” in humans.

Symptoms: Recognizing Water Tail in Dogs

Water tail, limber tail, cold water tail, and dead tail are all names for the condition that occurs especially in the summer months. While playing in the water, the dog may initially seem fine. The symptoms of water tail usually appear several hours later, when you are back home with your dog: Your furry friend then has a limp, hanging tail. Even if you offer him treats or speak to him kindly, he does not wag his tail excitedly as usual but very reservedly.

The typical posture of water tail: It is held horizontally a few centimeters from the tail base and then hangs limply downwards. This is why it is also called limber or lamb tail. Many dogs assume the so-called puppy sit, meaning the pelvis is tilted to the side to relieve the tail base. The fur at the tail base may also be bristled. Some animals appear very unsure. Some may nibble at the tail base area. Water tail is very painful, so some affected dogs may temporarily be unable to defecate or urinate. Additionally, a significant swelling at the tail base can be felt, which is already very painful with slight pressure.

Water tail does not go away on its own and must be treated by a veterinarian. If your dog shows symptoms, even on the weekend when your regular veterinarian is closed, do not hesitate to take him to an animal clinic.

At the veterinary practice, careful palpation and X-rays are used initially to rule out injury or fracture in the tail base area. Additionally, intervertebral disc herniation or arthritis in the spine must be ruled out. For this purpose, an X-ray is usually taken, and the anal glands are also checked. A blood test is also helpful: A significant increase in the muscle enzyme value creatine kinase is observed in the laboratory diagnostic examination.

Causes: How Does Water Tail Occur in Dogs?

To this day, it is not definitively understood what triggers water tail. Often, it is associated with intense strain during dog training, hunting, or generally after vigorous physical exertion or swimming in very cold water. However, long car rides and restricted movement, such as when the dog is sitting in a transport box, can also cause water tail. Reduced blood flow is considered the most likely cause. However, compression of the tail vertebrae joints or inflammation between the vertebrae are also possible reasons that are discussed.

Possible Causes of Water Tail:

The muscle groups involved in the diagnosis of water tail are the muscles of the “Musculus intertransversarius ventralis caudalis (IVC).” These muscles are responsible for wagging the tail. There is little space around the base of the tail for muscles to expand. Consequently, blood supply to these muscles is restricted, causing pain, swelling, muscle damage, and paralysis.

Treatment: What to Do if Your Dog Has Water Tail?

After a clear veterinary diagnosis, your dog will typically receive anti-inflammatory pain medication. These medications promote the healing process and reduce inflammation, making your dog more comfortable. Additionally, you must provide warmth to the back and tail area. A warm grain pillow or hot water bottle placed in the rear part of the dog’s bed or leaned against the back of the lying dog can promote healing as a home remedy for water tail.

Ensure that the supportive warmth is only warm and not too hot, and that your dog can remove himself from the heat source at any time. You should rest your dog until everything is healed. Due to the pain, he may also temporarily show altered social behavior: therefore, keep him away from other dogs for a few days and do not leave him unsupervised with younger children.

Additionally, physiotherapy treatments can support healing. These may include laser and electrotherapy or a professional massage to relax the muscles. When treated promptly, the condition usually resolves within a few days. In rare cases, it may take up to two weeks, and in very rare cases, an abnormal tail posture may persist.

Preventing Water Tail in Dogs

Since water tail is a very painful and uncomfortable condition for your dog, you should do everything you can to prevent it from occurring in the first place. What can you do? Even if your dog is crazy about water, prevent him from jumping into cold water in autumn and winter. It’s also better to avoid excessive training in cool water or in a damp, cold environment.

If your dog—especially some water-loving breeds—is difficult to dissuade from jumping into cold water, then it’s your responsibility to end the game in time. This applies even in warm temperatures, as patients with water tail mostly present with this condition at veterinary practices in the summer: Make sure your dog doesn’t overexert himself.

To prevent water tail, it’s also helpful to dry your dog well and keep him warm after bathing—using a dog towel or coat, for example. Wet dogs should always be kept moving and not allowed to lie down for a break.

Water tail doesn’t always come from swimming in cold water. If your dog sits for a long time in a transport box or another tight space, restricting the mobility and thus the blood circulation of the tail muscles, it can also lead to water tail. Therefore, plan enough rest breaks on long journeys so that your dog has the opportunity to move around and stretch his legs. This will get the blood circulation going again.

How to Cool Down Your Dog in Summer

If you don’t want your dog to swim as much to prevent water tail, there are other ways to cool him down. You can set up a pool in the garden or provide your dog with a cooling mat. Cooling neckbands or vests also provide relief in extreme heat—but they should not be worn permanently. Most furry friends also enjoy a refreshing dog ice cream. By the way, you can easily make it yourself. Just give your buddy a small portion to avoid any stomach problems.