Hi, I'm new to this forum and just found the site.
I have an ESS 5yr old male who we 've had since he was 9weeks old.
We had him groomed yesterday by a reputable mobile groomer.
Today  my pup is unable to wag his tail properly. It just hangs floppy but he is still trying to wag it.
I think he may have damaged it some how.He may have slept  funny on it
He's very clingy to me, but doesn't seem to distressed.

need advice

many thanks

I'm assuming the groomer bathed him, so he probably has 'limber tail'; if so it'll be right as rain again in a few days. :-) He might however need painkillers for a day or two if it really bothers him.

Thank you  for your help Jeangeanie, this is most helpful.

much appreciated

No problem. :-) They usually pick the most awkward time to do something like this; my bitch chose half an hour before going into the ring at Crufts to do it, totally ruining her chances!

i have this problem with my ess i wash very carefully round his bum area  always make sure if you use a shower to bath him its always on LOW pressur when you do his bum area.Also dry that area as soon as you can.Funny never gets it when he,s in the sea or river!!!

Just got back from the vets.....
Benson has 'Rudder tail'  (same as limber tail)
He has got anti-inflammitory tablets to take for 3 days, if no inprovement by Thursday, to take him back for an X-ray.
But was also told these things can take up to 6 weeks to return to normal, and some small percentage of gun dogs don't recover fully.
Fingers crossed all goes well.

Thanks again for your advice.

I have a gundog who seems prone to this problem - it's happened several times now and he's not yet two.  He has a lovely natural tail carriage but is apt to just come to a dead stop in front of me and I've walked into his tail more times than I can count - this is just one of his causes...    !! :)

I give Metacam and he's usually as right as rain within a day or two.  Fingers crossed Benson has a quick recovery too

I most definitely would not let him go for an Xray even if his tail is not quite back to normal in a day or two. With "water tail" or "dead tail" it will go of its own accord, usually fairly quickly but just play for time and give him pain killers. It is caused by cold water and maybe rough handling of the tail area by the groomer. Quite a common occurance in gundogs who plunge into cold water for a swim. It is painful but transient.