Why hot dogs are happy

Experts find painful tail illness affects pets in cooler climates

LIVING in a cold climate has its obvious downsides.

And Scots researchers have now found it’s not just people who feel glum – even some dogs are less likely to wag their tails when the mercury drops.

This is because of a painful disease called limber tail which causes the tail to go limp and is probably linked to cold.

Experts at Edinburgh University said learning more about the condition, which is particularly common in large working breeds such as Labradors, could lead to ways of preventing it in future.

The first large-scale investigation into the condition compared 38 dogs suffering from it with 86 which had no symptoms. Researchers found that those with limber tail were more likely to live further north, supporting anecdotal reports that the disease is associated with colder weather.

Most, but not all, cases developed after swimming, which increased the chances of developing it fivefold. Working dogs were around five times as likely to suffer from limber tail – also known variously as cold water, broken, dead or sprung tail – than pet dogs, again suggesting a link to the cold.

Dr Carys Pugh, who led the study at the university’s Roslin Institute and Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, said: ‘Limber tail in dogs is a condition characterised by a flaccid tail, often with a stiff tail base.

‘Dogs often show signs of pain and distress when they develop limber tail, although these resolve with the other clinical signs. It was initially described in 1997 in the Veterinary Record as “acute onset paralysis of the tail (frozen tail or limber tail) with onset following swimming in or showering with cold water”. We were surprised by how many owners were reporting limber tail to us but it meant we had the chance to carry out a detailed investigation.’

The study was conducted as part of the Dogslife project, which records the health and wellbeing of more than 6,000 Labradors across the UK.

It also found some dogs that were related to each other were more likely to be sufferers, indicating a possible genetic risk.

Dr Pugh added: ‘We have been able to add evidence to a lot of internet speculation about risk factors, and the new findings relating to geographical region and family links give us avenues to pursue in understanding and avoiding the condition.’ The extent lifestyle versus genetics plays needs to be explored further, she said.

The study was published in the journal Veterinary Record.

Caroline Kisko of the Kennel Club, which funded the research, said: ‘The condition is rare but it is most often seen in working dogs.

‘Dogs usually recover their normal tail posture and function over a period of days or weeks, however it can be painful.’

Gudrun Ravetz of the British Veterinary Association said: ‘While it is useful for dog owners and vets to be more aware of this condition, it is important that pet owners carry on enjoying exercise with their dogs in all weathers, as the health and welfare risks of not exercising dogs properly are considerable.’

‘They often show signs of distress’