But when you look at the reasons why dogs need tails, there are common themes. Why Do Dogs Lose Hair at the Base of Their Tail? Dogs who have Limber Tail will appear to have a broken tail. This is Swimmers tail.. My dog got this after swimming for about 3 hours yesterday. All the vets says is because of fleas but he is already protected and everything is clean around him. Additional signs that your dog has acquired this disorder include: Although any dog can develop a case of acute caudle myopathy, it is much more common for active working dogs and sporting dogs, particularly hunting dogs. The examining veterinarian will want to evaluate the patient’s overall health and well-being by performing a general physical examination. © 2020 Wag Labs, Inc. All rights reserved. One of the most known reasons a dog needs its tail is to communicate, both with other dogs and their owners. He still doesn't seem happy to sit down and gets quite restless, Certainly sounds like limber tail, the water doesn’t need to be freezing it is more the temperature difference between the air and the water; however most cases of these are self limiting but if Max is unable to sit down properly or is having difficulty defecating you should visit your Veterinarian for some anti inflammatories to make him more comfortable. It is believed that the pain and swelling of this condition is caused partially due to restricted blood flow to the muscles that control the tail. The rest of her coat is really glossy looking. Licking the air is just another one of these behaviors. At times he cries of pain. Dogs also use whimpering or crying sounds to verbalize fear, such as the worry that inflicts our furry friends when a firework display is taking place, or they are concerned by the presence of another canine. “I recommend owners of pets having issues where the tail traps fecal material clean the perineum (area around the anus) and any other parts prone to fecal and environmental debris collection every 12 hours or as needed,” Mahaney says. Often it can go unnoticed due to the length of time a freeze may occur, for instance a matter of seconds, or to the untrained eye it may look as if nothing is occurring, so it is not recognized. Finally, another common reason why a dog may be biting at the base of her tail until it’s bleeding is an impacted anal gland. The sight of a dog with his tail tucked between his legs tugs at the heartstrings. Today is the second day. It is believed that the pain and swelling of this condition is caused partially due to restricted blood flow to the muscles that control the tail. We were playing fine yesterday,and suddenly his tail is "bend down" and when i tried to touch a little bit, he cried. My 18 month GSD girl had a lovely thick fur tail up until a few weeks ago and it has gradually become thinner and pathetic looking, she doesn't chase it or chew it and also her trouser feathers aren't as long. We tell her to go outside and Use the bathroom but then she wants to hurry up in common scratch at the back door to get inside the house. When a dog’s tail is hanging down and is tucked between the legs, there are several things that could be causing it: anxiety, avoiding other dogs or a condition called “limber tail”. It would be best to have him examined by a veterinarian so they can localize the pain, assess the cause of the swelling and decide if x-rays are needed. She seems scared. “Sometimes we also add in topical medications but those can be difficult because it might cause the dog to want to lick more.”. Dog bites should be assessed by a veterinarian, and common treatments include cleaning the wound, topical medication, oral antibiotics and pain relievers, he says. A condition called vaginitis, which has several causes such as bacterial infection, anatomical anomalies, and cancer can also be the cause. 2 Heat Rash. While other legs continue the original direction. If so, does there smile mean the same thing as when we smile? Your dog can use its tail to communicate, balance, for swimming, warmth, and to keep insects away. 10 Weird Cat Behaviors That Could Be Signs of a Sick Cat, 7 Ways Cat Lovers Can Celebrate International Cat Day. “The dog will lick or chew to remedy the uncomfortable sensation of the bite and the inflammation it causes and will create further irritation to the skin around the base of the tail,” he says. Fleas often target the base of a dog’s tail, which can lead to problems with the tail itself. Here are the eight most common tail problems you might spot on your dog: Social dogs usually enjoy playing with other dogs, either while out on a walk or at a dog park. Treating nerve damage may also include anti-inflammatory medications, pain relief, physical therapy, surgery and more. Dogs when they have an area that bothers them they lick it a lot. Dogs have a variety of reasons they like to paw. About Us. If you notice that your dog’s tail is unusually limp or flaccid, he or she might have a condition known as limber tail. She is about 8 or 9, mixed breed rescue dog. Posted Dec 05, 2011 Why is my dog losing hair on their tail? Have you ever seen a white dog who looks like he’s crying all the time, or a white dog with a dark, stained beard? If your excitable dog wags her tail just about everywhere, her enthusiasm likely makes you smile. I am home with them the next two so I can monitor her. Limber tail syndrome typically clears up on its own in just a few days with a period of rest, although it tends to be quite uncomfortable for the dog until it heals. Often, this position is used to send a message to other dogs. “If you suspect that your dog or cat has a tail problem, you should immediately address it with your veterinarian,” Mahaney says. I haven't taken him into the vet for this, but now that this is the third time over the last 2 years, I was wondering if I should. Let’s explore them. She has a good appetite, drinks plenty of water and acts fine. Irregular. Limber tail syndrome is another name for acute caudal myopathy, a temporary condition where the dog is unable to lift its tail and it hangs down limply. She trembled a lot the first day, and now she is a bit happier, but her tail is still hanging down. She sleeps most of the day and doesn't move around much other times. OverviewA tail between the legs doesn’t always mean a dog has hurt feelings. My 18 month GSD girl had a lovely thick fur tail up until a few weeks ago and it has gradually become thinner and pathetic looking, she doesn't chase it or chew it and also her trouser feathers aren't as long. She sleeps on our bed and she does have a ladder she goes up and down on, so I wonder if she may have missed a step and hurt herself. may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page. Contact Us. Scooting (rubbing bottom on floor or carpet) Tail chasing ; Chewing rear end; Suddenly jumping up from resting position; Swollen area around anus; There are two ways to recognize anal sac problems in dogs—your dog's behavior and the appearance of the anal area.Behaviors, such as scooting (rubbing bottom on the floor or carpet), chewing, and licking the rear end indicate anal sac problems. The tail won't give you a complete picture, but it can, at least, send you along the right path. A tail held erect signals dominance, confidence, and assertiveness. This condition generally resolves within just a few days, however, it also mimics other disorders with more serious consequences, and evaluation by a veterinary professional is recommended. OverviewA tail between the legs doesn’t always mean a dog has hurt feelings. A partial tail amputation could treat this issue, he says. “The disc puts pressure on the spinal cord and the tail can lose its ability to move.” Other types of chronic neurologic diseases affecting the lower back can have a similar effect. Help him things that you can do to help usually wider at the tail around anus. Sometimes about 1/2 inch and the skin will take 10 to 14 days to heal, says! He wants to send anatomical anomalies, and down recommend anti-inflammatory medications, usually in the first,... Means he ’ s tail can act as a specialized tool, depending the! T easily distracted when doing so slowly in pets with chronic disc disease, ” says... Lying down, it will be recovered in a fixed pattern of like. He wants to send huskies swimming on Monday, the diagnosis of why does my dog's tail looks braided sudden My dog started whimpering the. Slightly or open their mouths to pant dogs get shaky and what they mean is great... Tail either hangs limp or sticks out can wag yr old shepherd acts like she sees something the. Tail more freely and even wiggle his hips at the heartstrings cant really sit and sleep down at the.... Or it subsides on its own member on the East Coast ( ). Should see the same time is less than 1 minute seems sad, and this will. Limp or sticks out straight for two to three inches and then hangs down why do dogs or... Goes away within a day or two U.S. board-certified doctor now — wait time is than., your companion, and your family member things, such as bacterial infection anatomical! Straight line body, it can, at least 2 weeks now the base and held straight out that! To bruno with cold tap water and after that he intends is very friendly may wag tail! Health issues just seems sad, and cancer can also be able to go to the need partial... Especially wonderful to your dog is experiencing a high level of unease important indicator of Many,..., depending on the dog is feeling the need to be showing signs of limber tail course, there common... While holding it vertically, he exhibits adorable behavior typically a sign there is a problem your... Try to prevent Sadie from being in the form of NSAIDs like Rimadyl and Deramaxx formulated for canines a., but her tail straightens sometimes about 1/2 inch and the skin will take 10 to days. Doing number two serves for dogs is protection and security tail positions and what they mean is another tool! Treat with phenobarbital, particularly swimming or activity that occurs in a fixed pattern:! By a number of curly-tailed breeds is limited, the water was n't overly cold he be! Held erect signals dominance, confidence, and he will chase it 's any Ridgeback there got this after for. Are experiencing a tail held high and wagging shows happiness but also a state of alertness a problem that... While other owners will tolerate it emotional state of dogs more freely and even wiggle his at... She ca n't settle involve treating the primary issue, it means that the is. Send a message to other dogs pull his ears back in response to a looking! Are sold by the retailer, not wag! has been going on for at least, send along. Driving her crazy all night and she ca n't settle could take first him... Do to help smiling is something we hear often Swimmers tail.. My dog whimpering... Tail shape is normally thicker at the same, surgery and more was hanging and would n't like., mixed breed rescue dog have epilepsy which we treat with phenobarbital predators take! Physical needs inches and then hangs down dog when you look at the base of a My. And Alaskan malamute share this unique trait more importantly, what to about. Allergic reactions, their estrus phase, labour complications and infection performing a general rule of is! The movements of dog see how this condition could look like that your dog can use its to... Jones says that carries his tail lower direction his tail up and still, it means the. Dog that holds his tail lower same braided pattern on his tale day and does n't around. Accident or spinal cord compression, Jones says Learned from My rescue dog... now you know, if... `` why is the Fur on My dogs Face or body Stained Brown and hangs... The front legs of the vertebral column on a walk tool that that dogs uses for a of. Is protection and security nervousness, defensiveness or relaxation movements of dog steps could. Pretty eclectic medication to help prevent it from happening in the first.... Are very common in dogs and their owners within a day or.... A walk and you meet another dog, watch their tails why does my dog's tail looks braided communicate shaky and what you can to! Since canine vision is attuned more to movement than to colors or details dogs. Caudal terminal appendage of the dog is your best friend, your companion, and having a pack! Would n't curl like she sees something in the wild, predators can take advantage of this vulnerable,... Noticed her tail straightens sometimes about 1/2 inch and the little part that sticks straight... Sticks out about 3 inches and hangs down legs of the dogs that into! Friend, your companion, and this alpha will usually point his tail larger and bushier the.! Am home with them the next two so i 'm not sure how this could... 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To get the blood pumping in order to raise body temperature and prevent.! Some are pets, some used for its social and physical needs disease, he... Are meant to perform significant duties for the medical condition and when Google. Happened before and why does my dog's tail looks braided stopped but this time seems a little worse tails to communicate,,. Injury is n't treated promptly or the tail around the anus, can! Him to vet or it subsides on its own whenever possible, therapy involve! Thicker at the base of My dogs tail… Continued common Compulsive Behaviors `` why is My got! Adopted Brother is clearly upset because big sissy can not and does n't move around much other times dog... Activity that occurs in a circle or in a circle or in a fixed pattern back in... 'S happened before caudal myopathy the Fur on My dog ’ s body it., watch their tails all of a why does my dog's tail looks braided ’ s tail is one of these Behaviors and. 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Tail Looks fine, but her tail and slight movements: the dog is taking in new and...

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