Cold water tail...

No, but I think if you were to make it into something that's useful like a back scratcher or maybe a hung it from your car antenae it's justfied. I always wanted to make a nice pillow out of those ears...so soft.

Now, before anybody gets all bent I should probably throw in this disclaimer: I'm joking. Back in the old days of this website you didn't have to add the disclaimer but nowadays...we're a little touchy here sometimes.

That's really a bummer...I've never even heard of that. I would think that initially it may have an impact on the dogs coordination in the water but I doubt it would take long to compensate when swimming.
 
why a belt sander? I have a nice 80 tooth blade on my chop saw I've been using for trim work. Should the skilsaw be a worm drive, Devlin says they are better.

T
 
no.jpg


Note the smooth transition.....belt sander.
 
Would you use the tin snips for clipping the fangs embedded in your arm too? I've seen Labs that swim just fine with stubby tails..they just don't have the same "personality".
 
Could be best of both worlds. He could turn into a pointing lab! AND he won't clear off the coffee table any longer!
 
I would think that aviation snips would be more precise and be sure to give the dog some buffered aspirin afterwards...gotta smart a bit I would think.
 
Obviously this thread has taken to a lighter side, but on an even quirky side line - I bet even if you cut the tail off, they would still get the syptoms, you just wouldn't see it as readily. It is my understanding that cold tail is caused by over exhaustion of the muscles in the base of the tail, sort of like delayed muscle soreness in humans. So those muscles would still be there, unless you amputated the entire posterior of the dog?!?!?!
I just realized how ridiculous this might sound but figured if I save one labs a**, its worth my ridicule.
 
No and yes.

My lab's tail was docked due to a cut and subsequent infection... however the cold tail problem (experienced every single first water retrieve of the season) has gone away.

I haven't noticed any difference in her swimming ability. Made a beautiful long retrieve on Saturday in fact...

A.
 
I think the commercial pig farmers use simple pliars. Do you plan on hanging it next to all your turkey beards?
 
Thanks all for your thoughtful responses. I would probably have a vet do it, but I never heard of someone doing that. He is obviously uncomfortable and would be a hell of a lot happier if he was hunting and not being rested.

T
 
Tod,

On the more serious side, it was my understanding that Labs used their tails as rudders. I'd talk with a vet or three about it before chopping off his tail. Maybe he has something more serious wrong than just cold tail?

Charlie
 
Tod,

Is this a chronic problem or a one time occurance?

Otto had it one time about 2 years ago and that is the first time in over a dozen dogs and 50 years that I had seen it. My understanding is that a dog may get it once and then not be bothered with it again.

Ask your dog what his opinion is of your idea.

Would you cut your big toe off just because you get a hang nail once a year?

Pete
 
C,

I'm not too worried about the rudder thing. Andrews dog had his tail removed and I've hunted with Scott Farris' Bogs, who not only had the tip of his tail removed, but swims with his tail completely out of the water, that dog has retrieved a lot of birds for me under less than ideal conditions.

On the vet side, I'd be surprised if a vet would just hack the tail off without some thought, that is one reason I was wondering if anyone in the world actually has done it.

My guess is that if 1/3-1/2 was removed that woudl eliminate all problems.

T
 


T-

FYI.. infection was half way down the tail... the vet docked my lab's tail to about 5"... it's a hoot upland bird hunting, damned tail wags a million miles an hour.

Cold tail is a drag for both hunter and dog.
 
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