A broken tail in dogs can usually be recognized by the fact that the four-legged friend can no longer lift its tail and it hangs down as if paralyzed. Laypeople often confuse a fracture with a sprain or a water rod.
The myth that dogs' tails cannot break still persists to this day. However, that is a mistake. Because the tail is just an extension of the spine.
Depending on the breed, it consists of 5-23 vertebrae that are connected to each other using ligaments and muscles. The longer the rod, the more likely it is to break.
The most common causes of this are:
- Start running with the rod tucked in
- Getting trapped in the door
- A heavy object falling over
- Car and bicycle accidents [1]
Since the tail is not only essential for balance, but also for communication, the dog's behavior usually changes when it breaks.
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Symptoms
If a dog's tail is broken, you can tell this both visually and by the behavior of the four-legged friend. Typical external symptoms here are:
- Kink in the tail
- Unusual bend
- swelling and redness
- Knob on the rod
- Rod hangs strangely [2]
This is because a fracture causes one or more vertebrae in the dog's tail to break. This often also affects the function and movement of the rod.
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Depending on the cause, a broken tail can also cause severe pain that changes the dog's behavior. Typical behaviors here are:
- Dog keeps licking tail
- Touch sensitivity on the rod
- Coordination problems when running
- Constant whining and whining
- Dog runs in circles
- Loss of function of the rod
- Sudden incontinence
But be careful: A broken rod is often confused with a so-called “water rod”. This usually occurs from swimming in cold water.
Since the dog's tail acts as a pack when swimming, it is easy to overuse the muscles in it. [3]
You can usually recognize a water rod because the first 3-10 cm of the rod are stiff and horizontal and then the rod hangs strangely downwards.
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Other typical symptoms here are that the rest of the tail hangs down as if paralyzed, the dog no longer wags, sits unusually and constantly licks its tail. [4]
Water dogs such as many spaniels, retrievers or setters are most often affected by this. In addition to a water rod, there can also be a dislocation.
When the tail is broken, the vertebrae on the tail break. In the event of a dislocation, however, the vertebrae shift or separate.
It can usually be recognized by a kink. Since there are numerous nerves on the tail, this can also pinch nerves. Pain and constant whining are the result.
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If there is existing nerve damage, the dog can usually no longer move its tail properly. You can tell this by the fact that he no longer wags his wags when greeting you.
Sometimes it is the case that the four-legged friend keeps his tail to the side because he feels the least pain in this position. It is important to be proactive here.
A broken tail causes individual vertebrae to break, causing swelling, pain, and coordination problems. However, in many cases a fracture is confused with a water rod or a sprain because the symptoms are quite similar.
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Treatment
If you suspect this, you should consult the vet immediately. On the one hand, a broken tail can cause great pain if left untreated.
On the other hand, there is also the risk that the bone will grow together incorrectly, leading to chronic pain and functional limitations. [5]
To prevent the latter, it is important to act as quickly as possible. When you arrive at the doctor's office, you will first undergo a visual examination.
As a rule, the veterinarian also prescribes an ultrasound examination to be able to see the vertebrae on the tail. In the event of a fracture, the severity is then assessed:
The vet applies a bandage so that the bones grow together properly. At the same time, he prescribes medication to relieve the pain.
If the vertebrae in the tail are broken multiple times, they may be able to be surgically reassembled. In some cases a plaster cast is also applied here.
If the dog's vertebrae are completely shattered, the tail may have to be amputated. This is particularly true in the case of severe nerve damage. [6]
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Depending on how severe the break is, it is then important to consciously immobilize the tail, reduce the dog's activity level and protect the tail against shocks.
The following things are taboo here:
- To swim
- Wild playdates with other dogs
- Jumps and courses
- Excessive training
If the tail becomes very red after the treatment and appears inflamed, then I recommend asking your doctor about anti-inflammatory ointments.
If the swelling is severe, cooling with an ice pack can also help. Here you should follow the vet's recommendations. [7]
Treatment for a broken tail depends on how severe the fracture is. In simple cases, a bandage and a few painkillers may be enough. In severe cases, surgical correction or even amputation is necessary.
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