Dog has tail between her legs and let out a little yelp when I tried to un tuck it

[grrrrrrrrrrrrrr]

3 year old springer spaniel, not been herself today, walked around all day with tail between her legs, she normally is a mad spaniel tail wagging.

I got down with her and tried gently to un tuck it and she let out a little help.

Just wandering if anyone has any suggestions, if she like this in the morning I will call the vet.

Does she normally wag it vigorously?
She could have bashed it against something & hurt it.

She could have bashed and broken it, or just bruised it.

Or, has she been in cold water? If so she could have 'Limber Tail' my mutt had this last month after a dip in a freezing pond. A few days rest and some Metacam and she was fine.

Best to get her to the vet just in case.

Yes she does way vigorously.

Yesterday when we went out with she did go into a pond which was very cold.

Thanks for the suggestions

Good to hear thanks

Almost certainly cold tail/swimmers tail. Is it just hanging limply with no wagging? Tucked underneath her?

It hurts some dogs a lot, but will pass in 24/48 hours. I wouldn't bother with the vet, hot water bottles or wheaties can help with the pain. It's a muscle cramp/spasm brought on by a shock to the muscles which wag.

If you have any dog pain killer knocking about you could give her a dose to make her more comfy. Warmth does help.

Yes its tucked underneath her, she has attempted to wag, but after 1 wag its right back under again :(

I don't have any dog pain killers, but have put the wheat bag on.

Thanks for great advice.

Swimmers tail for sure.

She will be uncomfortable, but I never take mine to the vet for it. It passes with no treatment. She may well get it again though. I think of it as similar to really painful legs after a mammoth uphill walk. It is v common in gundog breeds who wag a lot!

If she can even try a wag, it's passing. Expect she'll be a lot better in the morning! Poor girlie; she will need a bit of tlc I expect!

This is my 'learn something new every day' - never occurred to me that there would be tail-specific ailments. For anyone reading this thread who wonders why 'dog pain killer' was specified, a reminder that dogs (or cats, or anything else AFAIK) must not be given human pain killers esp paracetemol.

Poor sweetie, hope she gets her wag back soon!

I agree with swimmers tail, my dog had after going into the sea. It healed itself in a ,few days. I didn't bother with the vet.

Thanks again. I also remembered that when we came back she was dirty and i put a few jugs over her from the garden tap and that's cold water. Definitely will not be doing that again, never heard of this before, but like GTN said, we learn something every day.

She is up with me now, sad eyes, head on lap, wheat bag over area. Hopefully she will be better in the morning.

Update, she had a good nights sleep (luckily not bothered by the fireworks)

This morning the tail is not tucked under, its out a little, still not right but better and she has even managed a little wag when I walk into the room.

Thanks for all the great advice as saved me an expensive trip to the vets today bank holiday rates and everything, will continue with the heat and keeping her rested, and as I have saved some money I shall buy some dog for and donate it to the local shelter (bins in asda).

Good news that's she's a bit better. My dogs tail had a bend in it for a few days after, it looked very bizarre!