What are the symptoms of cold tail?

On Friday I went snowshoeing with Bubba and afterwards he started acting strange, just was standing up and moving about the house a lot more than usual. It wasn't until the next day that I realized that he seemed to be in pain anytime he tried to sit down or lay down (if he was doing the lay down motion in the same way he would sit, if he goes like to superman sprawl then he seems okay). While he didn't vocalize any pain with yelps he would be very reluctant and groan a lot. We thought that maybe it was one of his back legs, but we rubbed all over his body and he seemed okay. He is totally fine to walk, run, etc. It is exclusively when sitting or laying that he is uncomfortable.

Is this cold tail? I know that is more commonly related to swimming, but it is super cold here (less than 15 degrees), and he was wading and sprinting and butt tucking thorugh some pretty deep snow which could have used his tail in a swimming motion.

When Kimber had cold tail, her tail would hang limp and not wag at all. She also seemed in general discomfort- but the lack of tail action was the primary symptom.

Hope your pup feels better soon.

Cold tail can be very painful for your dog...usually the tail will hang "limp" and it's uncomfortable for your dog to sit.

They can usually get it from very cold water or being out in cold, wet conditions.

The simplest way of relieving the pain and discomfort is often a warm compress periodically applied to the base of the tail, which helps to stimulate blood flow to the area.

Read more at: https://wagwalking.com/condition/limber-tail-syndrome

Yes, the tail will hang limp. The term "cold tail" is rather misleading as it certainly does not have to be cold. Cramped funny in a crate can give a dog cold tail - not cold and no water. I gave Oban a full strength aspirin, approved by Vet. Bounding through deep snow is something our breeder specifically cautioned against so since you were snowshoeing I'd suspect a muscle pain, if the tail isn't limp.

Thank you everyone for the advice! I can't tell if his tail is limp, and it sounds like it should be noticeable if it is. I'll keep an eye on him for the next few days and take him to the vet when we get home if he is still having trouble.

The tail doesn't have to be limp. It often is, but now always. Sometimes it's just sort-of limp in that "I am really tired and don't feel all that well" way. If he is eating, drinking and going potty as normal, give it a day and if he doesn't seem better, I'd head to the vet to get things checked out.

Chloe's had it a few times and her tail tends to be limp, but it's most noticeable when it ought to be up and wagging (kind of hangs at half-mast which is unusual if she is excited), so if your dog doesn't carry his tail up and waving generally, then it would be harder to notice. From your description though, I'd wonder if it is more likely that he tweaked something in his lower back. I'd give it a day or two of rest and if no improvement get him checked out.

I think in the end it was a mild case of cold tail, the tail was hanging limp which I didn't notice until it started to resolve itself and I could see that he does normally hold his tail more upright. He seems to be back to 100% though! Thank you all for your advice!