Also, pad the wound for protection and to prevent it from getting injured again. Sign up to receive the latest and greatest articles from our site automatically each week (give or take)...right to your inbox. You might not think about your dog’s tail as being much more than a way to measure how happy he or she is, but it’s actually much more than that. Make sure that you pay attention to the dog’s tail till then. Then the necessary treatment measures will have to be taken. ➺ Functioning of the nerve may restore gradually, however, in the meanwhile you would have to take good care, as well as help and support your pet. It is always better to get a vet’s recommendation for the medication to be used. After cleaning the wound, apply an antiseptic ointment and then bandage it. Pet Insurance Plans: Should You Get Standard Coverage or Wellness Care? Some reasons are as simple as the dog itself repeatedly hitting its tail on hard surfaces, or its tail getting stepped on by someone. But others are not,  so owners need to watch out for more subtle signs like a tail that is bending in a strange way, is limp, or is not wagging as often as normal. Limber tail signs vary from dog to dog and may be confused with some form of trauma, especially if your dog has been hunting or swimming. It is a condition that comes on quickly and mostly occurs after swimming. Many dogs love lapping up yogurt, and if you pick one that’s packed with good bacteria and serve it up to Fido... Oatmeal. This hard and quick hitting motion may give rise to an injury that results from the development of a bleeding ulcer at the tip of the dog’s tail. ➺ Instead of dipping its tail in cold water, the application of an ice cube may also prove beneficial to reduce the pain and swelling. If fleas are an issue for your dog, there are several flea treatments and medications that can help kill the fleas and make your pup flea-free. Even though tail problems are not everyday occurrences, they are worth knowing about. Make sure that your pet does not chew off the bandage, for which you can use anything that tastes bad and apply it around the wound. “We can also see the same nerve issue arise more slowly in pets with chronic disc disease,” he says. If your dog has an anal gland impaction, infected anal glands or an impaction caused by constipation, biting at the base of the tail may be a symptom. However, these dogs (whom Mahaney calls “fierce wagggers”) can have problems if they get their tail too close to furniture, walls, or other objects that could harm their tail. Acute caudal myopathy results from overuse of the tail, causing a strain or sprain of the muscle groups used for tail wagging. … Hi Dodger, Dog's have sebaceous glands and perianal glands at the base of their tails. Think your dog has dead tail? If this is a problem for your dog, Mahaney suggests simply moving any problem-furniture out of your dog’s way. Mostly, the pet will be administered medication to control the pain and a general anesthetic to reset or stabilize the broken tail. When your pet dog has injured its tail due to any of the various reasons, the symptoms may or may not be visible. Some dog breeds, such as pugs, have corkscrew tails which can pose problems to their health. The Real Reasons Why You Should Get an Elevated Dog Bed, Smart Tips on How to Train Your Dog to Sleep in His Bed, Brand Spotlight: Nationwide Pet Insurance (formerly Veterinary Pet Insurance). Healing will depend on the severity of the wound. If your dog always has loose stools, he, too, is at greater risk of eventually coming down with a sore bottom due to his anal glands. “It very often gets bitten when one dog is running away from the other.” This could cause trauma on the base of the tail or anywhere along the tail, he says. Remember that even minor wounds tend to bleed heavily. Tail sprains mainly occur from overuse, Mahaney says, especially with dogs who swim a lot because they tend to use their tail as a rudder as they swim. If partial tail amputation is necessary, anesthesia is required and the skin will take 10 to 14 days to heal, Mahaney says. If your excitable dog wags her tail just about everywhere, her enthusiasm likely makes you smile. They use them for balance when theyre moving quickly on land and as a rudder when theyre swimming. Often, a neoplasm occurs at the base of the tail or just below it. Treatment often involves restriction from activity and anti-inflammatory medication, he says. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. ➺ Injuries resulting from bites of other animals will require a rabies shot. That rinses off the wound, helps stop the bleeding and reduces inflammation. Usually, this pathology is a result of a mechanical injury, a reaction to an insect bite, or an infection focal point. However, a fat dog of any type has a higher risk of anal gland malfunction than a dog of normal weight. This information on the symptoms, causes, and treatment of tail injuries in dogs should prove beneficial for a pet owner in taking care of his dog. However, that fun can turn to pain. 6789 Quail Hill Pkwy, Suite 211 Irvine CA 92603. ➺ This condition may occur in dogs due to various reasons such as if the tail is on the wrong side of a closing door, if it is hit by a car, when someone steps on it by mistake, or due to a fall in the wrong position. Some tail problems are easy to spot, especially if blood’s involved. Additionally, when a dog is experiencing a tail issue, it’s generally very noticeable. If the fracture or dislocation is recent, the dog probably won’t wag the tail much and it will likely be tender to the touch. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. You can then apply a bandage to the tail so that it can heal. Observe the tail for any discoloration. Skin & Hormonal Disorders. If your dog has overworked tail muscles, you may notice the following signs: Completely limp tail, from base to tip; Partially limp tail, held horizontally out from the base, with the rest hanging down ➺ Swelling of the tail➺ Less wagging➺ Drooping and/or bending of the tail➺ Decrease in your pet’s overall movement➺ The dog carrying the tail between its legs➺ Bleeding and open wounds. They can be found anywhere. 10 Weird Cat Behaviors That Could Be Signs of a Sick Cat, 7 Ways Cat Lovers Can Celebrate International Cat Day. If fleas or ticks are causing your dog to bite their tail, the best way to get them to stop is to treat them with medicated shampoos and other products that remove the ticks or fleas. Have you seen a dog with carrot tail? “Many times they are going to need to be on oral antibiotics,” he says. https://petponder.com/how-to-identify-treat-your-dogs-tail-injury “The tail can be traumatized to the point that there’s erosion of skin on the surface and damage to blood vessels occurs, causing a Dexter-style bloodbath in your home,” Mahaney says. However, there are times when you are unaware of the accident and there are no visible symptoms as well. In addition, limber tail is usually accompanied by pain and swelling, especially at the base of the tail. However, the presence of observable signs such as scratches, hair loss, along with bleeding on the tail will let you know. This condition can be healed within a week, with the use of anti-inflammatory drugs and proper rest. ➺ Once taken to the vet, he/she will examine your pet. ➺ It is necessary to take your pet to the veterinarian for a checkup. Usually, infection isn’t a problem, but it’s still best to quickly clean up the tail. If the wound appears to be serious or has got infected, you need to take your pet to the veterinarian. ➺ However, if there is crushing or detachment of the tailbones, amputation may become necessary. The trauma can be caused by a fall or an accident, although… Before you wrap your dog's tail, look it over to make sure it actually needs a wrap. Even surgery would not be required in this case. If the pet’s tail that has been scratched or bitten, it will cause hair loss and bleeding, while an injury caused by the tail being hit hard may cause mild to severe pain. Dogs with chronic anal sac inflammation have hardened (lichenoid) skin under the tail due to the licking and trauma. Injuries near the base of the tail are the most serious as they can affect how the dog evacuates his bowels and bladder as well as gait and general movement. Alopecia in dogs, or hair loss, is a common disorder that causes partial or complete dog hair loss. Second, the swelling at the base of the tail has me really concerned. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Dog bites should be assessed by a veterinarian, and common treatments include cleaning the wound, topical medication, oral antibiotics and pain relievers, he says. Dog itching base of tail and gnawing it every now and then is a sure sign of an allergic reaction to mites and flea saliva. But … We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. The line of action in treating a tail injury in dogs often depends on the cause of the injury and the damage it has caused to the dog. However, even if your pet does not show any symptoms, it is necessary to make sure that it is safe. 4. Any of these could be signs your dog has a tail problem. It is most common in intact male dogs, since this area about 1/3 down on the top or dorsal aspect is the location of a collection of large oil glands. Also, if the condition is too severe, it may cause a lot of pain to your pet. There are many reasons skin infections could occur on a dog’s tail, including allergies or infections related to cuts and scrapes that come from trauma. “We see many infections from allergies, which cause the pet to chew and itch at their tail,” says Dr. Duffy Jones, DVM of Peachtree Hills Animal Hospital in Georgia. My Online Vet Response for Brown Flaky Skin on Dog's Tail by: Dr. Carol Jean Tillman . The causes may be excessive swimming (in very cold or very warm waters), heavy exercising, or any other strenuous activities. Assess the tail. These cookies do not store any personal information. Many are not aware of the fact that a dog’s tail is prone to getting injured very easily. ➺ The use of benadryl is often recommended by vets. If your dog has allergies to pollen or to some other factors, the affected skin will lead to excessive itching and licking, which in turn leads to bloody sores and crusty scabs. More over, if your dog continuously scratches that area, and tries to lick or chew it, this represents that the cause is infectious or in other words it can be parasitic or a bacterial infection. A partial tail amputation could treat this issue, he says. This pulling can have an effect on the nerves and muscles that are responsible for the movement of the tail. However, it is always better to take your pet to the vet to avoid any further complications. “The tail is a place that can be injured very easily when dogs play with other dogs or when escaping from an animal seeking to do them harm,” Mahaney says. This condition may occur in dogs due to various reasons such as if the tail is on the wrong side of a closing door, if it is hit by a car, when someone steps on it by mistake, or due to a fall in the wrong position. A tail that has been injured even once has the tendency to develop recurrent injuries, causing it to remain sore. Fleas often target the base of a dog’s tail, which can lead to problems with the tail itself. When a dog has this condition, the tail looks broken. It is known to occur after a day of intense outdoor activities such as hunting or exercise. Once set, he/she may use a pet cone to avoid your pet from getting at its tail. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Our site includes quite a bit of content, so if you're having an issue finding what you're looking for, go on ahead and use that search feature there! Carrot Tail. Problems with dogs' tails can usually be easily identified by symptoms and a dog's body language.Many different things can cause a problem in or near the tail area. Diarrhoea can also less commonly lead to the same result, so it is worth getting your dog checked out by the vet. Here are some of the observable signs that indicate a tail injury in dogs. In some cases, your dog’s itchiness might be caused by skin disorders. Mahaney says fecal matter can get trapped by the tail around the anus, which can lead to irritation and infection. In addition, if you see your dog or cat licking, scooting or licking under the tail, or apparent blood around the tail or in the urine, your pet will require veterinary attention. An injury that involves nerve damage is also called avulsion injury. “The dog will lick or chew to remedy the uncomfortable sensation of the bite and the inflammation it causes and will create further irritation to the skin around the base of the tail,” he says. In some cases, tapeworms causing itching around the anus can also lead to a dog chewing at the base of their tail. He says the issue happens because the muscles get fatigued, the small joints and ligaments in the tail get stressed and then the tail becomes flaccid. Copyright © Pet Ponder & Buzzle.com, Inc. https://www.petmd.com/dog/slideshows/8-common-tail-problems-dogs Read more about it here. This is actually a short tail with a thicker base. In such cases, you need to observe and identify these on your own. Mahaney says fleas bite a dog’s skin, causing irritation. ➺ Gently clip away the hair that is covering the wound. The base of the tail is an area, along with the back of the head, where fleas tend to congregate. Looking for free pet advice for your Dog? Raw dog skin, with hair missing at specific parts of the body and at the base of the tail, as in the case, indicates the presence of a dog hot spot. ➺ It is an injury that results from excessive exertion and is mostly noticed in sporting and working dogs. Signs of Limp Tail in Dogs Lack of tail wagging Limp, hanging tail between the legs Painful tail Unable to get comfortable when lying down Crying or whining Biting or licking at the tail Difficulty standing up after lying down Difficulty squatting to urinate or defecate Reluctance to eat Sometimes, these glands can become clogged and swollen. But the possibility of a tumor is also possible. Hi Jeanette, From the description and photo, I am suspicious of condition called 'stud' tail in dogs. Like any other part of your dog’s body, it can be affected by a number of health issues. The location of the tail injury is an important factor to consider before treating your dog. Of course, there are other steps you could take first. Immediate care and treatment by the vet is required if the case is severe (bleeding and severe hair or skin loss). Nerve damage in tails can occur after traumatic events, like a car accident. According to Jones, a tail that has nerve damage can appear limp and not have a lot of movement. Ice prevents the breakdown of cells that could lead to permanent damage. This can indicate an injury to the tail, either a sprain, fracture or dislocation. 1. However, tail nerve damage isn’t always caused by an accident. “Over-the-counter baby wipes or a veterinary-prescribed antiseptic wipe are generally safe to use and non-harmful to the skin.” If your dog’s fur is responsible for trapping fecal material, keeping the hair in that area trimmed short can also help. Treating nerve damage may also include anti-inflammatory medications, pain relief, physical therapy, surgery and more. Sometimes, these glands can become clogged and swollen. Sometimes the tail will extend a few inches from your dog’s body and then drop flaccidly. The tail can be difficult to treat because the area is hard to bandage and a dog won’t necessarily tolerate a bandage on their tail, says Dr. Patrick Mahaney, a holistic veterinarian based in California. ➺ In case of a minor injury, clean and wash the wound gently with an anti-bacterial soap (use a muzzle if needed). Well, we're looking for good writers who want to spread the word. 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. In such cases, you need to visit the vet. Allergies. It can be hard to tell if a dog has a fractured or dislocated tail, but Mahaney says tails with these issues usually have a weird angle to them. ➺ In case of a broken tail or fractures, where there are no visible symptoms (like blood or bone visible) or pain, emergency care is not necessary. They use them to express emotions. ➺ Clean the wound and apply a small amount of antiseptic on the wound. Dogs use their tails as an important form of communication with all other species, and if a problem is present, such as an infection or fracture, it should be fairly easy to identify. Possible scenarios leading to limber tail include hard/vigorous play within the previous 24 hours, prolonged swimming, or active hunting within the past few days. It can even have an effect on your pet’s ability to urinate or defecate. Your dog’s tail will be limp, and he or she will not wag it as usual. The thing with flea allergies in dogs can hibernate and stay along time without dogs showing that they are struggling with the adverse reaction of flea bites. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. 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