Thump. Thwack. Wiggle. Quiver.
The canine tail is a versatile appendage that does much more than wag the dog. Most often, we think of the tail in terms of body language, but in addition to communicating intent through movement, it also wafts a dog’s scent through an area, announcing its presence to other dogs; operates as a rudder in water, helping the dog to make quick, easy turns; aids in balance when the dog is crossing a narrow walkway or jumping, climbing or running; and even helps to keep the dog warm. Think of a furry Siberian Husky, wrapped in the warmth of its tail on a cold or wet day.
Depending on its length, the tail is made up of 5 to 23 vertebrae that form the end of the spinal column. It’s powered by the caudalis and sacrococcygeus muscles.
Find out what's happening in Lake Forestwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
If you’ve ever been on the receiving end of a wagging tail, you might think that it’s a tough part of the canine anatomy, not easily damaged, but the truth is that it’s more prone to injury than you might think.
Tail Troubles
Find out what's happening in Lake Forestwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
For one thing, the large number of blood vessels that feed it make it prone to bleeding. For another, the tail’s exposed position puts it in the way of heavy feet, slammed doors and thorny brush. Dogs with thin, delicate skin can wind up with a bloody pulp of a tail from bashing it against a wall, fence or door—a condition sometimes referred to as “happy tail.”
A bite from another animal can cause a painful abscess, and a jump or fall that goes wrong can mean a broken tail. A run-in with a car is probably the most common cause of broken tails in dogs.
No matter how it happens, a tail injury is usually relatively simple and inexpensive to treat. A bruised tail—perhaps one that’s been stepped on—needs no care other than an apology and a promise to be more careful in the future.
Bite wounds, cuts or lacerations are cleaned and may be bandaged to protect the area while it heals. A course of antibiotics is usually prescribed for dogs with bite wounds, to prevent infection caused by the bacteria from the other animal’s mouth.
Minor injuries or fractures are usually left to heal on their own. The tail might end up looking a little crooked or bumpy, but fortunately a dog isn’t going to demand a visit to a plastic surgeon to repair the damage.
More severe fractures may cause soft tissue or nerve damage. In these cases, the solution is generally to amputate all or part of the injured tail. Dogs recover quickly from tail amputations, and the lack of a tail doesn’t inhibit their ability to communicate.
The biggest concern surrounding a tail injury is when nerve damage occurs. The result can be a tail that hangs limp, unable to move. If this type of injury occurs near the base of the tail, it can cause neurological damage, affecting the dog’s control over defecation and urination. It can take several weeks for neurological function to return. During that time, it may be necessary to manually express urine from the bladder until the dog is able to perform on its own. In cases where the dog has lost sensation in the anal area, it may never regain control of defecation and urination.
Your dog’s tail may have been injured if it’s paralyzed, hanging oddly, swollen, or painful to the touch. If you think the tail has been broken, get your dog to the veterinarian as soon as possible so the injury can be evaluated. If the tail has no swelling and can still be moved by the dog, it can probably heal on its own.
Are you looking to take home a dog of your own?
Orange County Animal Care has a number of pets looking for loving families to adopt them.
Luna, a beagle and labrador retriever mix, is looking for a family to love her. This cutie is mostly black, with a white chest and tip of the tail. Her shelter I.D. is A1096589. Find out more about Luna here.
Willie, a brown and white boxer, is also hoping to find a good home. Willie is 5 years old and his shelter I.D. is A1145890. Find out more about Willie here.
Fany, a 6-month old Cairn terrier mix, is also available for adoption. The puppy's shelter I.D. is A1121791. Find out more about Fany here.
