Nachash:

Ok, I don't disagree with you, but the reality is that it's Saturday and I'm in very rural country for the next several days.

And here is something else: I just checked his tail again and it actually looks/feels better. I don't understand this apparent fluctuation: it looks one way early in the day, then maybe better or worse later the same day. How can this be explained? It honestly appears to have better circulation now (and I noticed this before I even read your post). And you're wondering how on earth I can judge that. Well, like you said, we know the difference when we've got a digit that isn't receiving ample blood supply: color changes, can't move it so easily (without discomfort, at least), and if it continues with any regularity (short of necrosing), the tissue will even shrink, perhaps become atrophic. So, what I observe is something of a reversal of all that. And, at the moment, I have only myself and this forum to look to.

So, while your advice is perfectly sound, it is not an option at the moment and so I seek here the experience of others, suggestions based on education or experience, signs/symptoms I might also consider, things I might do to make him more comfortable, etc.

AND, I'd really like an answer to my initial question: why would a BP strike out when it previously had not--given all circumstances are the same? Is this, in fact, what they do when in pain?

Thanks.

GB