Hardly a case of the tail wagging the dog, Cold Water Tail is the tail not wagging at all. It can be a shock to the owner accustomed to the exuberant swishing of the barometer end of their dog. Cold Water Tail is also referred to as limber tail, rudder tail, broken tail, swimmer’s tail, frozen tail, sprung tail – and yes, broken wag –  but medically speaking, it’s called an acute caudal myopathy, and it can be a common condition in some working dogs, and sporting breeds like Foxhounds, English Pointers, Beagles, Labrador Retrievers, Setters, and Golden Retrievers.

Broken wag is an injury that comes from an overuse of the tail that causes a strain or sprain in the muscle groups used to wag the tail. It’s associated with cold temperatures, but it also can be due to the dog having intensely exerted his tail while swimming, particularly during water turns. Vets see a lot of this at the beginning of hunting season because excessive exercise after a period of relative inactivity, especially in cold weather, can also cause it. Prolonged time in a crate where a dog can’t “stretch out” can also cause the tail to hang lifelessly from its root, or stick out a little at the back end of the dog before drooping down lifelessly (as seen in the photo).

That said, research has suggested that there may be genetic factors at play, and you can read more about that here.

It’s not just a sad look. A dog can struggle getting up because dogs use their tails for balance. They can’t get comfortable lying down, let alone squatting to perform nature’s call to duty. Assuming there are no complications, broken wag is treated with rest and anti-inflammatory medications prescribed by one’s veterinarian. Most dogs are back to normal within a few days to a week, and in that time, it’s best to avoid excitement while the tail heals – a tall order when just seeing their person causes a tail to wag.

Those of us who don’t live with breeds vulnerable to this syndrome may only wonder, “what’s wrong with this dog’s tail?” when seeing an afflicted dog. We can help you recognize this with the video below:

Other issues can mimic broken wag: an actual tail fracture, impacted anal glands, prostatitis, intervertebral disc disease or a tail trauma, and it’s best to have a vet make a diagnosis.

Image is a still shot from the video