How to Care For a Dog's Tail Problems

Labrador retriever's frequently have tail troubles.

A dog's tail is good indicator of his emotions. When he's happy, there's no stopping the wag and when he's blue, his tail hangs low. He may even tuck it between his legs and slink off if he's feeling guilty. With all that activity, it's no wonder a dog finds his tail in a jam occasionally.

Instructions

1. 

   Dog's with docked tails may have a lifelong fear of someone touching their tails.

   Look for signs of a bend or droop in the middle of the tail. Unfortunately, a dog's tail is the perfect length for getting caught in a closing door. A broken tail will usually droop at the point of the break but not always. If you suspect your furry friend has a broken tail, take him to the veterinarian immediately.

2. 

   Dog's with heavy coats who swim a lot may have adverse reactions to the salt or chlorine in the water and chew at their tails.

   Check for fleas. Those tiny insects wreak havoc on a dog's sensitive skin and he will bite and chew to rid himself of the pests. He may chew sores on his tail. Treat your dog with flea and tick drops from your veterinarian. Apply them to his skin between his shoulder blades. You must wait a couple of days afterwards to bathe him.

3. Take your pooch to the groomer or to your vet to have his anal glands expressed. Just below the tail are two glands that contain a smelly fluid, excreted when he has a bowel movement. When these glands clog, they can swell and discharge on the underside of the tail, creating sore spots. Have your groomer show you how to express your dog's anal glands at home to save money.

4. Dry your dog's tail thoroughly. Especially in long-haired breeds, the area under the tail can stay moist, becoming a breeding ground for bacteria. Wash your dog's rear end well, dry it and apply a liberal dusting of cornstarch to help repel moisture.

5. Wash any infected areas with an antibacterial cleanser, such as Betadine, several times a week to discourage an infection from spreading. Use Betadine with care because it will stain fabric and upholstery.

6. Bind it up. To encourage your dog to leave his tail alone, wrap it with soft clean gauze after you've treated it and follow up with a few layers of an athletic bandage to hold the gauze in place.

7. Spray some animal deterrent, such as Bitter Apple, on the outside of wrappings to keep him from chewing them off. Under no circumstances should you spray pet deterrent on his tail, itself.

Tips & Warnings

• If your dog is has chronic tail problems, such as open lacerations from hitting his tail on the bars of his cage, talk to your vet about removing the tail to prevent further problems.

• Call your veterinarian if you do not see improvement in your dog's tail within a few days of starting treatment. He may have a parasite that needs treatment with prescription medication.

References

• Dog Pet Grooming Supplies: Dog With Broken Tail
• Lowchens of Australia: Tail Problems in Dogs

Resources

• The Daily Puppy: Dog Tail Illnesses