Accepted Answer

Dear friend,

I am so sorry your boy is having this difficulty. Even though is tail looks fine I am wondering if he could be having attacks of Cold Tail.

http://www.woodhavenlabs.com/coldtail.html SOURCE

I printed this for you:

Cold water tail," "limber tail syndrome," "broken tail," "dead tail," "broken wag" are all euphemisms for a relatively common occurrence in sporting dogs. The tail of the dog hangs down from the tail base or is held horizontal for three or four inches and then drops down. A flaccid tail episode appears to be a painful, but relatively benign affliction that can occur after swimming, after a heavy hunting day or even after a bath with cold water or water that is too warm. It is not always associated with swimming or water, but can happen after a heavy day of work that involves a lot of tail action. The majority of limp tail cases have been reported in sporting dogs or hounds -- Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, Setters, Pointers, Flatcoats, Foxhounds and Beagles are the breeds frequently named. Almost all dogs that suffer through an occurrence return to normal within a few days. Affected dogs may or may not have a repeat incidence during their lifetime. [It is this author's experience that symptoms will repeat in the same animal and can be trigged by something as simple as a cold water bath.] This affliction has been described by the layman as a "sprain," fibrosis or a "cold in the tail." The affected dog is miserable at the onset and the tail is painful. If neither the dog owner nor the veterinarian is familiar with this condition, it can be disturbing

Here is the rest of the link:

http://www.thelabradorclub.com/library/coldwatertail.html SOURCE

Sometimes you do not see actual tail issues and a boxer does just have a stub.

The other - less likely issue - would be urinary tract infections, spastic badder or Inerstitial cystitis. That is a painful bladder with no bacteria found:

http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/kudiseases/pubs/interstitialcystitis/

UTI's must be treated with an effective broad spectrum antibiotic like Clavamox or clidimycin and for a long enough duration so all bacteria is eradicated. If not, they will refluorish, stronger and more resistant and reinfect him. In addition, the bacteria can become tolerant of the same anibiotic so the medication should be varied for best results.

http://lbah.com/canine/urolithiasis.htm

http://www.naxcel.com/Health.asp?country=US&lang=EN&species=CN&drug=NX&index=631&parentID=0

http://www.mscc.ca/urolithiasis.html

He should also be encouraged to drink as much as possible to keep the kidneys and bladder flushed. You can give him one daily drop of unsweetened (only) cranberry juice. That will reduce the PH of his urine and make his bladder inhospitable to UTI bacteria.

It is also possible these events may be triggered by stones or crystals. He should have a urine analysis so you will know for sure. Sometimes bacteria does not show up. If so he should still complete a round of antibiotics.

I would also check for sugar just to rule out diabetes.

Please let me know if you still have questions and how your baby is feeling. I will be happy to help further.

I hope he feels better very soon.

Very sincerely,

Terri

Expert:	Terri Riba
Pos. Feedback:	99.8 %
Accepts:
Answered:	6/2/2008

Animal Healthcare expert

Expert in pet health and behavior. 20 year experience with animals.