![]() Cuts can also occur if your dog bites his tail (such as may occur in response to fleas), or if he slams it into something while wagging it enthusiastically. Some of the most common types of tail injuries include: Cuts and ScrapesĬuts (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. ![]() Your dog’s tail can become injured in a variety of ways, and each requires a slightly different treatment strategy. Types of Tail Injuries and Their Treatments These muscles provide precision control over the tail, thereby allowing it to serve as a remarkably effective communication device. 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.Ī collection of tendons and ligaments connect muscles to other muscles and the caudal vertebrae (tail bones) which form the core of the tail. Just beneath the skin, you’d find blood vessels, connective tissue and a series of tail muscles. The skin and fur coating the outside of the tail are essentially identical to that covering the rest of your dog’s body. The number of bones in a given dog’s tail varies, but most have between 5 and 23 separate vertebrae. In fact, the bones in your dog’s tail represent the terminal end of the spinal column. After all, tails are pretty foreign appendages to most humans.Ĭontrary to many dog owners’ assumption, dogs do have bones in their tails. 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. And as always, it is better to prevent tail injuries from happening than it is to treat them after the fact. Tail injuries can be quite painful, so always contact your vet if you suspect your dog’s tail has become wounded.For example, some dogs will develop something called limber tail syndrome after swimming for long periods of time. In addition to proper dog tail injuries, some dogs experience temporary tail issues.Things like small cuts and scrapes are usually no big deal, but broken tail bones will require your vet’s help to treat. Dogs can suffer a variety of different tail injuries, ranging from minor issues to relatively serious problems.Unfortunately, dogs often suffer injuries to their tail, which can cause them pain and prevent them from communicating properly with humans and other dogs.Īccordingly, 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.īelow we’ll discuss the different types of tail injuries that occur, explain why your dog may suddenly have a limp tail, outline the primary methods by which tail injuries are treated, and share a few ways to help avoid them. But two of the most important things his tail helps with are balance and communication.įor example, your pup’s tail helps him relay information to other dogs, it keeps him swimming in a straight line when he uses it like a rudder, and it allows you to understand when he is scared, happy or wants something from you (spoiler alert: He always wants something from you). While the surgery itself is a relatively straight-forward operation, recovery from the surgery can be a long and uncomfortable process for the patient.Your dog uses his tail for a variety of things. Fracture/dislocation of the tip of coccyxįor persistent pain that is not alleviated with non-surgical treatment and/or activity modification, surgical removal of all or a portion of the coccyx (coccygectomy) is an option.Ĭoccygectomy surgery is rarely recommended and performed.May increase during sexual intercourse or bowel motion.Increases when rocking forwards to transfer from sitting to standing position.Increases with sitting on hard surfaces.It does not radiate into the lower extremities or the pelvis. Usually related to some traumatic event where the patient has landed quite heavily on their buttocks resulting in severe pain at the tip of the tail-bone(coccyx). ![]() ![]() ![]() Home / Conditions / Spinal Disorders / Painful Tailbone (Coccydynia) Painful Tailbone (Coccydynia) ![]()
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