Tail Injuries

Your Dogs Tail is Injured (Is this a Serious Issue?)

You step on your Chihuahua’s tail and he lets out a yelp.  You shower your little dog with kisses and apologies for doing him harm.  You think you are such a terrible parent but does this really harm him?  Does it hurt?  Is a tail injury considered serious?

Any injury can snowball into something serious. The following article provides information on what to look for before you call your vet. 

Anatomy of the Dog

First off, we need to know the anatomy of the dog.  People often don’t really think about the tail.

The tail is an extension of the dog’s spine (yes that means there are bones in the tail). Even though a dog’s tail has bones and is a part of the spine, it is quite mobile.  Muscles around the bones allow for that wagging motion you love to see when you come home from work. The tail also contains tendons, nerves and a blood supply. This allows your dog to feel pressure, pain and bleed when injured. Because of the tails mobility, it gets injured more often than you realize. . 

How dogs use their Tails

A dogs tail is often a way to communicate with you to let you know if he is happy or sad or even afraid.  When a dog tucks his tail between his legs, you quickly realize your dog is either afraid or nervous. Dogs use their tails not only to communicate with you but with other animals and pets too.

The tail can also be used as a rudder while swimming. It helps stabilize the dog and steers them where they want to go. Some dogs use their tail as a counterbalance when making tight turns while running. 

Causes of Tail Injuries

Just like any injury, there are many causes.  The more simple causes are like when you step on your dog’s tail tip or the tail hits something while wagging.  These can cause a minor short term ache or cut.

Other injuries can be quite severe and cause nerve damage or even serious bleeding.  These will be more obvious.  For example, you accidentally shut your pup’s tail in the car door.  This can cause severe pain and a broken tail with bleeding. 

When to call the Vet

If your dog lets out a yelp and runs away for a little bit but then is acting normal. Gently check the tail for damage. You will be looking for bruising, abrasions, cuts, bleeding and odd angles. If it is a simple scrape, you can easily clean it out with warm, soapy water and monitor it. 

You may also see your dog expressing pain when he tries to wag his tail.  If he yelps or whimpers constantly when moving his tail, he is in pain.  Dogs will not eat when they are riddled with agony.  This is the same for humans.  If your dog shows little sign of eating or does not seem like himself, I suggest seeing a vet.

A bent or crooked tail could mean some broken bones.  This can be painful.  You will need to take your dog to the vet to check it out. They will know what to do.  It is what they are trained to do.

The Healing Process

As I said before, you can clean a scrape with soap and water. The key is to keep the scrape clean and dry. Moisture and dirt allows bacteria to grow so make sure it is dry once clean.  You don’t want your dog having an infection.  That means antibiotics and more visits to the vet.

If your dog is bleeding, cover the wound with a clean cloth and apply light pressure to stop the bleeding, keep the dog from licking it, and go to the vet.  It is always better to be safe than sorry.

Here are a few signs of dog tail injuries that you may notice and warrant seeing your veterinarian. 

• Your pet may continue to chew or lick at the tail
• You may notice whimpering and whining
• Bleeding that doesn't stop or a deep cut
• Your pooch may stop wagging his tail or may not be able to do so without pain
• A partially or completely limp tail is a major sign of dog tail injuries

If you notice these signs it’s time to take your pet to the vet. They can prescribe pain medication, antibiotics and proper treatment. In some cases your pet may need surgery or a splint applied to the tail. 

Depending on your pet’s injury, it may take a few days or weeks for your dog to heal. 

Keeping your dog from Licking their Tail

Most pets will go home in an E-Collar or Platisc Cone to prevent getting to the tail to allow it to heal. Ask your veterinarian about using the WiggleLess Back Brace as an E-Collar Alternative. 

Hopefully, this article has assisted you in deciding if your dog’s injury needs medical attention or just a little tender, love and care.  Tail injuries can be severe and serious. If you aren't sure its always best to speak with your vet.

If your dog is not injured, hopefully, this has expanded your knowledge so if something were to occur, you know what to look for.