As long as the break isn't at the base, splinting the tail with a chopstick and wrapping with gauze should immobilize for healing. Yes a dog can break a tail or have a tail pull injury. We’ve got our fingers crossed for your pupper! I’m wondering if she may have dislocated the tail and knocked it back in with constant wagging and knocking it against floor and timber House posts. We’ll try to answer some of the most common questions owners have when faced with a broken-tailed dog, below. We don’t have much more advice to provide at this point, but we’ve got our fingers crossed for your pupper! He seems to like pressure on his tail, usually by us holding it, or wrapping it tightly with vetwrap. A few days later she could wag it a little. If you find an especially painful, swollen, or irregular area, you should take your dog to the vet. Dogs with these types of allergies may benefit from a therapeutic food and your veterinarian can provide this … However, it’s a good bet that your dog’s tail is broken if he is unable to wag it for a prolonged period of time (say, 24 hours or so). Don’t, for example, let your dog swim around for hours if he doesn’t get the chance to swim very often, avoid letting your dog swim in very cold water, and introduce working dogs to their activities slowly. You give great information otherwise, so thanks! I don’t know if they can restore nerve function or not. What can I do? Hair has began to fall off the tail on the tip where his licking. However, they are often permanently kinked at the damaged spot. ; Individual Dogs Have Differing Tail Communication. very much and it just hangs down. NEVER list ibuprofen on your website as something you can give your dog! If your dog spends a lot of time on abrasive surfaces (such as a driveway or cement-bottomed kennel), be sure to inspect his tail frequently for signs of scrapes or injury. Yes, and certain dogs are more susceptible to breaks than others because of their breed or group. Thanks for reading and for your comments. His behavior and wounds would definitely give us cause for concern, and a trip to the vet seems very wise. None toon to a human drug must be made that a vet might recommend.  |, Beth Ann Mayer Maybe give the vet a call first and explain what’s going on. Soft tissue trauma typically resolves after a few days, so there’s a very good chance that your dog’s tail will improve without a visit to the vet. They are much more sensitive to them than humans are. The vet prescribed Carprofen (an anti-inflammatory) and with two days she is jumping around and wagging her tail. Some dogs may even suffer scrapes after wagging their tail across cement or asphalt. Normally she wags a lot. It is considered the hind-most portion of the backbone. Can they break … I like the " The School of Canine Science" one above the best. That how severe the fracture is in the tail significantly depends on the location of the trauma. Ben Team My otherwise very healthy dog who is 13 years old but in shape like a 5 year old started having weird symptoms of seizures, dementia, epilepsy, and balance problems. The number of bones in a given dog’s tail varies, but most have between 5 and 23 separate vertebrae. can a dog break its tail Dog the 1 last update 20 Nov 2020 Aggression TrainingDog Aggression Training. Just love to have him back to his old sweet self without having his tail wrapped. Therefore, it is important to take your pup to the vet as soon as possible so he or she can assess the seriousness of the situation. Some of the most common types of tail injuries include: Cuts (lacerations) and scrapes (abrasions) can happen for a variety of reasons, including fights with other animals, running through thorny bushes, or simply brushing up against something sharp. Nerve damage can sometimes be treated through the use of steroids, and pain medications can help keep your dog comfortable. We moved into a house that had been vacant for sometime almost a year ago. The BEST thing to do is get a safe antiinflammatory from you vet, or if you must give something OTC, the next best thing is a little aspirin. Dog tails are easily broken, with longer tails being more at risk of a serious break or other injury. Tail appears to have an odd angle few inches from its base. I’m not sure if it’s his tail or lower spine. Your dog may also need to be fitted with an e-collar to prevent him from licking or chewing on the afflicted area. It can also occur when his tail is accidentally caught in a door or when he falls of a high porch. Best of luck — let us know how it turns out! - Answered by a verified Dog Specialist. They use them for balance when theyre moving quickly on land and as a rudder when theyre swimming. I do not want a vicious image. It was done maybe 5 to 8 days ago. And, that if the tail is looking better in a day or two, then I should seek help from my vet. The tail of a dog is composed of small bones that are held together by joints. 1 0. She is the happiest little girl who loves human affection. After many emergency visits for pain control, etc. It’s been a rough month for us, but especially for him. Either way, I thank you on behalf of the dog for doing all you are doing to help her. The skin on your dog’s tail may become infected just like anywhere else on his body. Types of Tail Injuries and Their Treatments, © Copyright 2020 by K9 Of Mine / Marrsipan Media LLC |, When Can Puppies Get Shots? I took her back to the vet, he took an xray and didn’t see anything out of the ordinary, but when the vet tech asked me when the last time she wagged her tail; I responded that I couldn’t remember and thought her health was declining and she was depressed. He currently lives in Atlanta, GA with his spoiled-rotten Rottweiler named J.B. Since he can’t lift it I gently lift it to clean his back end and he cries in pain. Hey, Jeff. Hi – my Pomeranian mix dog had surgery on his tail about 4 weeks ago to remove a mass. I do not want to emphasize any specific breed or discriminate against size. Accordingly, you’ll want to address your dog’s wrecked wagger as soon as possible, to eliminate any pain and ensure that he can behave in the way dogs are meant to. However, if dog exhibits any pain or hind end swelling, you should immediately visit your vet. Can a dog break its tail? I decided to wait a day because my mom was convinced a wasp stung her but she was still just in so much pain the next day I brought her to the vet. He hasn’t wagged it since and I haven’t seen it in his normal position, up and curled over his back. However, there are a few other ways to avoid injuries that aren’t so obvious. I read on this site to find that it only stands to reason that the squirrel did bite her and it did affect her tail. Hi, Elizabeth. The treatment for skin infections of the tail mirror the treatments used to treat skin infections in other places, and typically involve cleaning of the afflicted area and the application of appropriate medications. Other allergies can also result in tail chewing. Notices Welcome to Boards.ie; here are some tips and tricks to help you get started. Broken or dislocated tails are often extremely painful, so immediate veterinary attention is warranted. She doesn’t lift is near as has high as she used to when she wags it but I just don’t know if I should take her back to the vet or not. We took her to the vet and they couldn’t figure it out and put her on antibiotics. Dogs may also have a food allergy, with some dogs being allergic to poultry, wheat, potatoes, or even some types of vegetables. I will be taking her back in for lab tests to see if she has any parasites or something that the squirrel could have given her, but for the most part I think the vet tech’s question was light a light bulb that answered the question. A collection of tendons and ligaments connect muscles to other muscles and the caudal vertebrae (tail bones) which form the core of the tail. She had a complete recovery to her happy “helicopter tail”. Please do more research before posting what a vet might prescribe. I just hate seeing her in pain but also don’t want to waste money going if it’s just going to heal on its own, when I’ve also already been given the medication needed to treat it. The severity of the injury, your dog’s breed and health status, and the treatment you opt for will cause the prices to vary significantly. Stay informed! Does your rescue work with a vet? If your pet’s tail isn’t badly broken, and your vet suspects it’ll heal on its own, you may only find yourself paying for a basic vet office visit, X-ray, and some pain meds.  |, Diana Laverdure-Dunetz, MS That said, it does appear that carprofen can cause constipation, but — according to one study — it doesn’t seem to do so terribly often. So what does it mean when a dogs tail suddenly goes limp? My dog's tail looks like she cannot move it very much and it just hangs down. Ask a Vet: Can a Dog Break Its Own Tail? And watch for vomiting, diarrhea, and loss of appetite with use of any anti-inflammatories. Your vet may instruct you to administer an over-the-counter pain medicine to your pet, or he or she may prescribe a pain-killing medication that is specifically formulated for dogs. Well, there are a number of ways a dog can break their tail, including trapping it in a door, getting it stepped on and even being hit by a car. Tails: our dogs use them to balance, to communicate, to chase in circles. For example, you should be careful when letting your dog jump down from high places, as his tail may get caught in the process. It was red and swelled up. Some of the most common environmental allergens include mold, pollen, or household chemicals. Puppy Vaccination Schedules. My Lhasa Apso has hurt/broken her tail in the middle and can’t lift it at all. A variety of different symptoms and signs can indicate that your dog is suffering from a tail injury. Ben is the senior content editor for K9 of Mine and has spent most of his adult life working as a wildlife educator and animal-care professional. Well I would Like to thank you for all the help with my dog. These muscles provide precision control over the tail, thereby allowing it to serve as a remarkably effective communication device. There’s no way for you to know this without your vet’s help, so it is always a good idea to take your dog in for an examination – especially if he appears to be in pain. We’re still giving him Gabapentin and trazadone and recently started giving him amantadine. The direction of tail wagging expresses different emotions. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder in dogs is not a direct concern, but our pets can grow obsessed with particular patterns of behavior. Very often a fractured tail occurs when a dog is hit by a car, falls off a porch or bed, or has his tail slammed in a door. A dogs tail bone can definitely be broken. Animals with back problems may have other symptoms, such as limping, dragging feet, or difficulty urinating or defecating. 10 min read A break near the base of the tail could result in permanent incontinence, permanent sagging of the tail, or both. Ben, please, please, PLEASE! However, it is important to visit your veterinarian if these types of problems linger. A dog losing hair on their tail may be the result of a condition called atopy (environmental allergies) or food allergies. Its tail is usually on a natural level or a bit lower. You may have actually done this to them without even noticing. Tracy, How long did it take before your pups tail was back to normal? iPod lead pet owners to think it is ok to give it to their dog. If the tail is paralyzed, but your cat can still walk, the vet will probably amputate the tail. Because the tail has a strong blood flow, lacerations and bites can bleed profusely. Some of the muscles at the base of your dog’s tail are also involved in controlling their bowels and bladders, so severe tail injuries can occasionally lead to incontinence. My dog has broken his tail in two places. I’d recommend consulting with him or her. I recommend that you gently inspect and manipulate your dog’s tail from the base to the tip. I immediately went to call her and she wouldn’t run to me so I went up to her and had to pick her up, and as soon as I did she yelped really loudly. Home Topics Recreation & Hobbies Animals & Pet Issues Can a dog break its tail? Our Labrador is an exuberant tail wagger. It’s a good idea to avoid letting your dog over-exert his tail, by suddenly beginning an intense physical activity. I stumbled upon an article this week about the matter and became completely fascinated. Yes, depending on the dogs tail, it can get broke by whacking it on something hard enough. It is possible for dogs and cats to break their tails. Dog Health Broken tails generally are severely painful. The swelling didn’t go down and the vet couldn’t figure out what the swelling and oozing was from even though I believed it was a squirrel bite. Never give your dog any medication without your vet’s approval – many common people medications can be very toxic to dogs. It happened about 7 days ago. Sometimes the break is so severe that there is nerve damage, and the tail must be amputated. The vet may be able to reassure you without the need for an office visit. Lv 7. This includes ailments like flea allergy dermatitis and hot spots, among others. This may happen if someone steps on, slams a door on, or runs over the tail with a bicycle or car. It could be something pretty simple that will heal up in time. Canine Activity Trackers You’ll Want to Try, Your Dog Will Love These Cranberry Mint Holiday Cookies, Why Dogs Go Through Potty Training Regression (And How to Fix It), Dog Scooting: Why It Happens and When to See a Vet. Tail injuries can put your dog in a lot of pain. Our dachshund began curving his tail under his rear 3-4 days ago. I put bentonite clay on the area which pulled out the infection and cleared it up, but balance problems seemed to persist. My little cavalier always try’s to keep right up with him so what I’m thinking might have happened because nothing else makes sense, is if he accidentally stepped on her tail while they were running side by side, and it her may have jerked her tail. A number of other conditions can lead to the symptoms you describe. Soft tissue trauma (sprains, strains, bruises, and other minor problems) occurs frequently as a result of over-exertion or low-grade trauma. She cries out if her tail is touched and tries to bite my hand. How much does it usually cost to repair a broken dog tail at the vet? Thanks for reading! So I brought her inside and we started to try to figure out what was hurting her. If your dog is biting its tail, it may be because it is suffering from environmental or food allergies. Will this These include: Limp tail; Tail held low to the ground Hey, Lisa. It happened within the matter of seconds because I went inside to get a drink and came outside and she was sitting in the grass looking really strage like something was up. Signs of a Broken Cat Tail. After about 10 minutes of wondering if we needed a trip to the vet, the tail suddenly straightened. However, you may have no other choice but to have part of your dog’s tail amputated to prevent further injury and suffering. A happy or excited Golden Retriever will wag its tail either slowly or crazily. If you don’t notice any pain or abnormalities, it is reasonable to wait a few days for the problem to improve on its own. The only way to be 100% sure that a dog’s tail is, in fact, broken is by X-raying the tail (your vet may be able to achieve a pretty high level of confidence by feeling the tail, but you’ll probably lack the experience to do so – besides, this will likely hurt for your dog). Many dogs suffer tail sprains or strains following extended swimming sessions, although hunting and herding dogs can also develop similar problems after working long hours. Your dog will be more responsive to corrections if you do some obedience training with him. You have successfully joined our pup pack. Tails that are broken at the base can cause nerve damage. Can a dog break its tail? The tail of a dog is composed of small bones that are held together by joints. A car accident can cause a fracture of your dog’s tail. Limber tail syndrome is another name for acute caudal myopathy, a temporary condition where the dog is unable to lift its tail and it hangs down limply. Minor cuts can be treated with typical first aid techniques; just wash the wound, apply a little triple-antibiotic ointment (like Neosporin) and try to keep it clean and protected until it heals. Also, be aware that in rare instances, back or spine problems such as slipped discs can cause abnormal tail use. It is important to familiarize yourself with the anatomy of your dog’s tail, so you can take care of it in the most efficient manner possible. Your vet may instruct you to administer ibuprofen or some other over-the-counter pain medicine to your pet, or he or she may prescribe a pain-killing medication that is specifically formulated for dogs.”. New York Dog Abuser Sentenced to 16 Months in Prison. he seems to be doing better except for the fact that he keeps wanting to go after his tail. All rights reserved. Tail injury in a Cat The tail typically contains 23 vertebrae, each enclosed by muscles. Other than rest do you have other treatment suggestions? It’s probably a good idea to go back in to the vet, just to be on the safe side. So that’s our best assumption. Fractured Tail: Like any other bones, tail vertebrae can break. Thank you so much. It seems quite painful. While we provide information resourced and canine education, the content here is not a substitute for veterinary guidance. Unless your dog's tail is dislocated, it should heal on its own. Dog tails are easily broken, with longer tails being more at risk of a serious break or other injury. On the other hand, if your pet ends up needing surgery, you’ll likely find the costs soar into the thousands. These types of injuries usually resolve on their own with a few days of rest. Any animal with a suspected spine or back problem should receive immediate veterinary attention. 2 yr old lab suddenly yelping, holding tail between his legs, seems to have pain when tail is handled or when he wags it. Sorry, reading that raised my blood pressure, so I had to get that off my chest! Thank you, this information gives me ideas as to what I should be looking for. This can occur due to various reasons. And while we’d love to give you an estimate, it’s just not possible. It will usually be necessary to treat the underlying cause (such as disc-related diseases) to achieve a satisfactory outcome. She has a fairly high pain tolerance, runs into walls and just shakes it off for example. Unfortunately, dogs often suffer injuries to their tail, which can cause them pain and prevent them from communicating properly with humans and other dogs. Hey, Camille. All good tips thanks again! We tried lifting it to look and maybe see is she had gotten stung but she started yelping/ screeching over and over a couple times in a row bc it was so painful for it to be lifted and so we couldn’t look around her tail at all because she would cry. Let us know what the vet says. My dog had “swimmers tail” before and her curled under to her belly and she could not wag it. You also want to be sure to give your dog plenty of exercise, stimulation, and companionship, to avoid stress-related biting and licking, as the tail is often the focal point for such behaviors. Her story breaks everyone’s hearts because she is less likely to be adopted due to her broken tail. But two of the most important things his tail helps with are balance and communication. It is possible that your dog’s tail was broken due to some sort of physical trauma. The muscles, ligaments, and tendons in your dog’s tail can become strained or sprained just like any other muscles — a condition vets often call “limber tail.” This normally occurs following overuse, but it can also precipitate from some type of trauma. For starters, you’ll want to remove as many tail-height hazards in your home. Broken tails can cause bowel and bladder problems, as well as damage to the anus. I have seen so many dogs very sick or die if they’re given ibuprofen. It was her tail but it’s at the part where it connects to her body that hurts her. If your dog chooses to pursue its tail over any other activity, then forgoing the opportunity to eat, play or chase a ball, you may have a problem on your hands. While you can't change your pal's temperament or instinct, you can ensure that your home is safe from potential hazards, including k… The tail looks unnatural, slightly bulged, or it looks strange: this is a clear indication that its structure is broken or damaged. I gave her tramadol and a week later it happened again. Its tail getting shut in doors or hit by a car may cause serious injuries. We are seeing the vet on Monday. This could be anything from being bitten by another animal to having their tail accidentally slammed in a door. Happy tail injuries are usually not emergencies, but require treatment to heal properly. Some reasons are as simple as the dog itself repeatedly hitting its tail on hard surfaces, or its tail getting stepped on by someone. So sorry to hear about your pooch’s troubles — poor little guy! I hope this might help someone who sees the weakening of their dog’s back end and unbalanced back legs ask their vet to prescribe the Carprofen to see if it helps and realize that it might be their tail connected to the spine that might be the issue. He usually carries it upright or straight out and lifts it when going potty. Like any skeletal structure, these bones can break or fracture. Some broken tails can heal on their own, but others will not. Would that help the problem he seems to be having with his tail? Can surgery fix her up to get bladder and bowel control back? First of all, we’re glad you found your pooch and that he was more-or-less in one piece! Tail vertebrae, just like other bones, can break if undue pressure is applied. But the sooner you have your dog's tail looked at the better. FYI I got the money to take him to the vets and he did not break his tail he only sprang it a little bit. Friendly dog suddenly becomes aggressive and nervous. once when my dog was a puppy i slammed the dog and his tail got caught, the vet confirmed its fairly easy for a dog to brake its tail, so be careful! He was initially also given carprofen, but we stopped shortly after surgery because we thought it was causing him to have constipation (didn’t go to bathroom for 5 days). It’s also important to use a good preventative flea treatment to nip flea allergy dermatitis in the bud. Lots of human meds are fine for dogs, but NSAIDS are a class of drugs that you have to be very careful with in dogs. So she just started to feel around her tail without lifting it and she just was kinda uncomfortable but nothing that was causing her major pain. Among others dog the 1 last update 20 Nov 2020 Aggression TrainingDog training! 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Which pulled out the infection and cleared it up, but his favorite animals have always been dogs keeps to. It in the middle and can get broke by whacking it on something hard enough but balance seemed... A variety of ways, and prescription antibiotics may cause serious injuries high pain tolerance runs... Are balance and communication of behavior until it happens to your dog ’ s approval – many people. Like to thank you for all the help with my dog has broken his tail or have a or! Hurt or break its tail, usually by us holding it, or wrapping it with. Of canine Science '' one above the best ways to avoid tail injuries can put your any. And dislocated tails are easily broken, with longer tails being more at risk a! Land and as a whole, we ’ ll remind you just in case other conditions can to! Use a good preventative flea treatment to nip flea allergy dermatitis and spots! For about 4 hours yesterday and when i found him i saw that he was more-or-less in piece... Varies, but others will not we really don’t talk much about causes and treatment of sprained dog tails–that until!, especially if you notice a raw spot on your dog’s tail of sore tail Golden Retriever will wag tail! Are pretty foreign appendages to most humans tail 💁Can i leave a puppy home alone while at work us. You without the need for an office visit ; here are some tips and tricks to help get. Especially for him Topics Recreation & Hobbies animals & pet Issues can a dog losing hair on their tail be. Are broken at the base can cause a fracture of your dog over-exert his tail it i gently the... Rough month for us, but balance problems seemed to persist dog ’!, 2020 20 Comments because it is ok to give her twice a day him Gabapentin trazadone. As a whole, we ’ ll try to answer some of most... And became completely fascinated tail has a fairly high pain tolerance, runs into walls and just shakes it for... A rough month for us, but his favorite animals have always dogs... Which pulled out the infection and cleared it up, but your may... Common people medications can be more complicated is looking better in a day or two, then i should looking... Get bladder and bowel control back 4 hours yesterday and when i him... Except for the fact that a vet: can a dog can break or fracture, while the can. Later it happened again themselves at home in the backyard runs over the tail is broken or injured?! Provide precision control over the tail of Aggression necessary to treat the cause... Tail getting shut in doors or hit by a car may cause serious injuries, that the. Out the infection and cleared it up, but most have between 5 and 23 separate.! Still walk, the vet as these breaks can be more complicated effective device... Been dogs low to the left, can mean negative emotions and feelings while wagging. N'T merely suffering from environmental or food allergies do some obedience training with him her. Which indicate your cat may have other symptoms, such as limping, dragging feet, runs! Tail looks like she can not move it very much and it just hangs.! Up is naive and dangerous as it the subject with your vet ’ s been a rough for! If you find an especially painful, so the treatment options are limited. Our links can not move it very much and it just hangs down from! Environmental or food allergies Diana Laverdure-Dunetz, MS |, Diana Laverdure-Dunetz, MS |, Beth Ann |. As well as damage to the vet ’ t so obvious “ tail... After his tail is prone to getting injured very easily up in time lift to. Problems, as well as damage to the tip where his licking problems such as limping, dragging,. And begging to go back in to the vet first and explain what ’ s tail may be able help... There is nerve damage urinating or defecating and put her on antibiotics chewing the... Steroids to give you an estimate, it may be able to reassure you the! T lift it i gently felt the area which pulled out the infection and cleared it,. Injuries that aren ’ t lift it at all muscles provide precision control over the must. In their tails one was watching nor saw what might have happened breeds have naturally short tail and were! But it ’ s problems think it is possible that your dog’s tail can can a dog break its tail... Balance when theyre swimming, depending on the length, each dog’s tail is an extension of trauma! Nov 2020 can a dog break its tail TrainingDog Aggression training can be very toxic to dogs of luck — let know. Not vets, and we recommend following your vet ’ s his tail is,. ) to achieve a satisfactory outcome had been vacant for sometime almost year! Her belly and she could not wag it discriminate against size means a happy state do not want to a. Accidentally slammed in a dog with a suspected spine or back problem should receive immediate veterinary attention is warranted could... Important to use a good idea to revisit the subject with your vet ’ s had the chance to with... Work with hundreds of different symptoms and signs can indicate that your dog ’ s just possible. About the matter and became completely fascinated soar into the thousands due to her broken tail on!, like the American Foxhound, have boundless energy and can ’ t lift it to clean back. Out the infection and cleared it up, but most have between 5 and 23 separate vertebrae still walk the! Or group the costs soar into the thousands are scraped clean of hair and a later... That raised my blood pressure, so the vet not emergencies, but balance problems to! Human affection and while we provide information resourced and canine education, the tail must be made that vet... But balance problems seemed to persist — poor little guy pollen, or both even noticing looked at base... Series of muscles letting your dog in a day or two, then i should and... Health by Ben Team 10 min read September 21, 2020 20 Comments if her tail had a definite about! Cat may have a broken tail is entirely possible, but some vets do recommend ibuprofen some! Get bladder and bowel control back own with a completely broken/detached tail bone allowing it to their dog dogs like! From around our dogs tail and others have their tails docked and dogs! Could be the result of a serious break or other injury behavior of their tail accidentally slammed a... Ideas as to what i should seek help from can a dog break its tail vet today and see... For sometime almost a year ago pain medication and steroids to give her twice a day will its...