Limp tail is the result of an injury or overexertion. It primarily affects working and athletic dogs but can occur in any type or breed. As the name implies, a dog with limp tail is unable to move its tail; the tail simply droops or hangs. Recognizing this problem can help owners alleviate some of the discomfort associated with an injured tail during the healing process. Show
What Is Limp Tail?Limp tail refers to an injury affecting a dog's tail as a result of strenuous exercise. Technically, this medical condition is called acute caudal myopathy. It occurs after rigorous activity in which transient damage occurs to the muscles, ligaments, and tendons at the base of the tail. Occasionally, minor damage to the vertebrae may occur. Limp tail is a painful condition, so an affected dog will be unable to raise its tail or wag. Symptoms of Limp Tail in DogsA dog with limp tail will generally begin showing signs of injury within a few hours of intense physical activity. Symptoms
The most obvious sign of limp tail is a hanging, droopy tail that doesn't wag as usual. This happens because the base of the tail is in severe pain. If the tail is touched, the dog may cry or whine in pain. Since a dog's tail is used for balance, a dog with limp tail may have difficulty getting up after lying down and squatting to urinate or defecate outside. Sometimes dogs will also be unable to get comfortable when lying down and may even lose their appetite due to the pain in the tail. Causes of Limp TailAny type of strenuous activity that causes a dog to use its tail can cause limp tail. Some common reasons include:
These physical activities can result in excessive use of the tail. When the tail is used for balance, wags out of excitement, or the blood vessels constrict when swimming in cold water, an injury may occur. The Spruce / Missy Schrott Diagnosing Limp Tail in DogsA history of recent excessive activity or swimming in cold water is key to diagnosing limp tail in dogs. X-rays may be taken to rule out a broken bone in the tail, but knowing the recent circumstances and performing a physical exam will usually suffice. If a dog suddenly cannot use its tail after swimming in a cold lake or hunting, then an injury resulting in limp tail is the most likely cause. TreatmentTreating a dog with limp tail is a matter of supportive care, rest, and anti-inflammatory medications if the dog's pain is severe. Restricting movement—especially exuberant play, swimming, or work—will allow the tail to heal and return to normal. This usually takes a few days to a week. Do not give your dog any human anti-inflammatory medications for this condition. Consult your veterinarian for canine medications. Prognosis for Dogs with Limp TailLimp tail is almost always a temporary condition with no lasting repercussions. If a dog suffers a bone fracture or a ripped tendon, then healing may take longer, but injuries this severe are rare. How to Prevent Limp TailPrevention of this condition is generally impractical since play and work are common, enjoyable activities for many dogs. Common sense during physical activity should be used if a dog is prone to limp tail. For example, dogs should be allowed to rest regularly during excessive activity. This may mean shortening the length of the activity if stopping to rest isn't possible but there is no reason to avoid things a dog enjoys doing. The Spruce / Missy Schrott If you suspect your pet is sick, call your vet immediately. For health-related questions, always consult your veterinarian, as they have examined your pet, know the pet's health history, and can make the best recommendations for your pet. What is Tail Trauma?Everyone knows that a wagging tail on a dog is a means of communication -- usually a positive thing. However, when that spastic tail isn’t wagging, we owners should view that as a signal that something is amiss in our beloved family member. This behavior change can signal injury as well as illness in your dog. Causes for this condition can range from a muscle strain to a fracture. Any time a canine’s tail appears to be injured, a veterinary visit is warranted without delay. Tail trauma is defined as basically any injury to the canine tail or its supporting structures. This can include injuries emanating from breaks, abrasions and chewing as well as sprains, fractures and more serious spinal or genetic anomalies or injuries. Symptoms of Tail Trauma in DogsSymptoms you might see that would suggest tail trauma in your dog:
Types There are several types of tail trauma which can afflict your beloved canine family member. Here are the types or categories into which various tail traumas fall:
Top Causes of Tail Trauma in DogsThere are multiple types of causes of tail trauma in dogs. Here is a brief explanation of those causes:
These are just a few examples of tail traumas which can afflict your canine family member. Unintended injuries can range from mild to severe with some perhaps even requiring surgical intervention to fix. Top Diagnosis of Tail Trauma in DogsIf you suspect a tail trauma in your dog, you should call your veterinary professional right away. If it is a bleeding situation, especially one that you can’t stop, get your pet to the nearest emergency veterinary facility for assessment and treatment. The diagnosis of the injury, regardless of severity, will depend on several things. Your historical input will be a great assistance to your veterinary professional as he proceeds with his physical examination and assessment of your pet’s condition. He may require radiographic imaging (x-rays), CT imaging or perhaps an MRI imaging series to determine the damage and cause. Blood work may also be necessary because some health conditions not associated with trauma can also demonstrate symptoms similar to some of those noted above for tail trauma. Once your vet has completed his assessment and obtained the test results, he will develop and initiate an appropriate treatment plan for your pet. Top Treatment of Tail Trauma in DogsThe treatment plan for your canine family member who is suffering from tail trauma will be consistent with the injury type which has been sustained and the tissues, skeletal structures and systems which are affected by the injury. For some tail injuries, surgical intervention may be required, for example, amputation of some portion of the tail in the case of a severe injury, fracture or dislocation of the tail. 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. For those traumas involving biting, chewing and licking, an infection or allergy could be at the root of the behavior and that cause will need to be treated with antibacterial medications or allergy medications. Because many of these examples of tail trauma in dogs can be painful, your veterinary professional may recommend either medications or steps to reduce the discomfort your pet is experiencing. Top Worried about the cost of Tail Trauma treatment? Pet Insurance covers the cost of many common pet health conditions. Prepare for the unexpected by getting a quote from top pet insurance providers. Recovery of Tail Trauma in DogsRecovery of your beloved canine family member will be dependent upon the cause of the trauma in addition to the severity of the injury and the resulting damage, whether permanent or temporary. Your pet may need hospitalization for a period of time, or he may need surgery. Be assured your canine family member will need lots of the three A’s (affection, attention and affirmation) while he heals from his traumatic experience. Close observation and rest, along with a healthy diet and plenty of clean fresh water in a safe environment are common sense steps that you can expect to be part of the treatment plan recommended by your vet. Top Tail Trauma Questions and Advice from Veterinary ProfessionalsGreat Dane pitbull Four Years 13 found helpful My dog seems to be in pain. She yelps and winces when she gets up. I've looked her over and there are no visible injuries. Once she's up she is walking fine without limping. She can even trot and jump seemingly without problems. It has become apparent that the pain is likely in her tail. She winced when she tried to wag it and is holding it oddly. She seems to have blood flow to her entire tail and no obvious signs of having been hit. Do I need to have it checked? Can I help with pain? Should I see how she is in 24 hours?  Dr. Linda S. MVB MRCVS 13 Recommendations I'm sorry to hear this. A limp tail may be 'swimmers tail' which tends to occur when the weather is cold. It is like a tail strain. Ideally, dogs are provided with pain relief and anti inflammatories, so a vet visit is best. Other considerations would include an injury, anal gland infection (some dogs hold their tail down due to the discomfort) or joint disease such as arthritis. If she is not herself, it would be best for her to be seen so we can establish what is going on and get any necessary pain relief on board. Dec. 27, 2020 Was this experience helpful? Labrador Retriever Three Years 13 found helpful My dog has a droopy tail and at the base of the tail there's a divot where I believe the tail should be. She let's us touch and move the tail but it won't go above the hip bones. She wags her tail on her own but once again, it doesn't wag very high. The only thing she did today was go outside to go potty and I gave her a bath today as well. Dr. Sara O. DVM 13 Recommendations Hello she may have hurt her tail or broke it. Many time with just time your dogs tail will be able to heal on its own. If she seems painful, it would be best for your vet to look at your dog and prescribe pain medication. Dec. 21, 2020 Was this experience helpful? Does a dog's broken tail heal on its own?The location of the fracture has a lot to do with how serious it is. If the fracture is located at the tip of the tail, it usually heals well without any treatment, although the tail may have a bump or kink at the fracture site. If the bones in the tail are crushed, part of the tail may have to be amputated.
How can I tell if my dog broke its tail?The first indication your dog's tail might be injured is behavior. If your pup tries wagging but does so listlessly, there might be an injury. Dogs tend to lick injuries, so constant tail licking is a sign there might be a problem. Tail-tucking is another indication something is wrong.
How do you treat a dog's injured tail?If you suspect a tail trauma in your dog, you should call your veterinary professional right away. If it is a bleeding situation, especially one that you can't stop, get your pet to the nearest emergency veterinary facility for assessment and treatment.
|
How to know if dogs tail is broken
Related Posts
Copyright © 2024 ketiadaan Inc.
