Your Dog Tail Injury (Why This is a Serious Issue!)

You’ve noticed there is something wrong with your pooch’s tail. Maybe it constantly droops. Perhaps he’s biting it raw. You could have noticed it looks bigger than normal. These are all potential indicators of something bad happening at your dog’s backside, and they should call you to action.

Dog Tail Injuries Are Not Rare, But They Aren’t For the Faint of Heart

It is not all that uncommon for a dog to suffer a tail injury. However, that does not make the ailment any less frightening when it’s initially encountered. This is particularly the case if there is a wound or bleeding involved.

A dog’s tail is more than just an odd protrusion - it’s an extension of the spine that is loaded with nerves and blood vessels. However, the blood flow to this part of the body isn’t that great, and the resultant lack of coagulation capabilities can cause a tail wound to bleed for a long period. This issue can be further aggravated if your pooch continually bites and chews at the cut or wound that is the blood's source.

What Can I Do to Stop the Dog’s Bleeding?

If you see that your dog's tail is broken or bent, do not try to set it yourself. However, if you notice that your pooch's problem stems from bleeding, then you can carefully wrap it with a bandage. Doing so requires the proper tools, and it is a deliberate process, so only attempt this process if you have the patience to do so.

What Are Some of the Other Tail Injuries a Dog May Suffer From?

In the grand scheme of things, most canine tail injuries aren’t that horrific. However, a broken, fractured, or even deeply bruised tail can be quite painful for a pooch. Remember, there’s a hunk of bone sheathed inside that fluffy tuft of flesh!

With that being said, a wounded tail could be an indicator of some particularly nasty injuries or illnesses. A tail that is limp, doesn’t wag, or barely gets out of the way when he has to do his business may be a sign of several ailments that may demand your immediate attention. This is because the issue at hand may not rest with the tail at all - it may be due to something going on in his hindquarters.

Treatment and Post-Care for Dogs with a Dog Tail Injury

If your dog's injury is simply a cut or a bite wound, there are several outpatient treatments that you and your vet can provide. Antiseptic ointments and topical creams can both be vital tools to help ward off infection. If the dog brings about the injury himself due to a flea or tick problem, do what you can to treat the issue at its creepy, crawly root.

It’s almost as important to take care of your dog’s behavior once you have the tail issue under control as it is to address the issue in the first place. If you do wrap your pooch’s tail with a bandage, be sure to change the wrapping every two to three days to promote healing. If you’re afraid your dog may continue to nip at his tail during the healing process, you can always douse the wrapping with bitter apple spray or have your dog don an Elizabethan collar.

Don’t Panic - It’s Probably Not that Bad!

Because a dog's tail injury tends to bleed for a long period, you could freak out over the incident rather easily. After all, it's a nasty looking injury. However, your best bet here is to take a deep breath and keep your wits about you, because it's probably not all that bad in the grand scheme of things.

Remember, most tail injuries are minor in nature. Yes, they may be an indicator of something more dastardly going down in his hindquarters, but those injuries only make up a fraction of the tail-related ailments that your dog could be suffering. As such, it is wise that you do not jump to conclusions - your dog won't be able to say it, but you can bet that he'll be appreciative of your coolness under fire.

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