Don’t you just love it when your dog comes wagging his tail, communicating his love for you? Dogs use their tails for many different things. One of the most important uses is communicating with other dogs and their pet parents.
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Tails can also signal a dog’s mood, whether he’s happy or giving a warning, etc. Dogs also use their tails for balance.
As you can see, a dog’s tail is very important! But what happens if your dog has suddenly stopped wagging his tail? Or maybe he’s developed a kink in his tail. Either of these could indicate that your dog has a broken tail.
Causes of Broken Tails in Dogs
Broken tails can be caused by different problems including:
Being hit by a vehicle: if your dog is by a car, truck, or even a bike the result can be a broken tail, hip injuries, or injuries to the spine.
Family caused broken tail: accidents can happen. Sometimes dogs can have their tails shut in the door by a young child or an adult. Even a rocking chair can break a dog’s tail! You could even accidentally step on your dog’s tail.
Self-inflicted: if two dogs are playing too roughly, then this can result in a broken tail. It’s even possible for a dog to hit his tail hard against the wall.
If any of these result in a fracture near the base of the tail, this will have to be repaired by surgery.
Symptoms of a Broken Tail in Dogs
You may notice these symptoms if your dog has a broken tail:
- Unable to wag
- A change is his waking
- Guarding of the tail
- Crying (due to pain and discomfort)
- Constipation
- The tail is painful to the touch
If your dog is showing any of these symptoms, then you’ll need to contact the vet as soon as possible.
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Ask a Vet Live NowTreatment of a Broken Tail in Dogs
At the vet’s, they will perform a physical exam of your dog, which focuses on the tail. The vet may also run lab work just to ensure there are no underlying health issues.
If the break is mild, then the vet will allow the tail to heal on its own. The vet may prescribe pain medication for a time. Ensuring your dog’s bed is comfortable can also help to ease his pain.
On the other hand, a break at the base of the tail will require surgery. This is a very serious injury, as it can lead to nerve damage to the tail and hips.
In most cases, dogs will go on to make a full recovery! That’s very good news for you and your dog! He’ll be wagging again before you know it!
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Kyoko
Kyoko is from a family of 3 and moved to New York with her parents and siblings when she was 13. Kyoko is fond of spending a great amount of time with pets, specifically her beagle Luna and cat Missy. Her boyfriend often complains that she spends too much time giving attention to their animals. Kyoko has written dozens of articles concerning pets and is aiming at owning a pet shop one day!
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