Before Pixel's current vet, Dr. Mask, I actually had one vet tell me that it was probably all in Pixel's head. They did not even want to bother to look for physical issues in her tail. Six months later, it was found that Pixel had a shard of vertebrae at the tip of her tail nub, several scar tissue adhesions and definite nerve damage from the docking. Don't believe anymore that tail docking does not hurt or do any long term damage...the truth about tail docking is that it very much DOES hurt, and often for the life of the dog.
Remember that every emotion that a dog feels, whether it's joy, excitement, uncertainty, fear, all goes through the tail. You can tell a lot about a dog and how they are feeling by their tail, so when that tail is missing, or halfway cut off, those nerves still want to do what is normal for them, and that is why their tails can give them such a fit at times.
SIGNS OF DOCKED TAIL PAIN AND DISCOMFORT:
There are many symptoms and behaviors that a dog can exhibit when they are having docked tail pain. Some might seem unrelated, but they are. Here are just a few signs that a puppy or adult dog is having pain, irritation or difficulties with a docked tail:
1. Biting, licking, 'chasing' or whining at the tail or back end. Scooting or rubbing their bottoms or tails on the floor or against a piece of furniture.
2. Hiding under a bed or in a crate. Isolation from the family or laying alone in a back room.
3. Delayed or difficulty potty training, either on paper or outside. Often difficulty having a normal bowl movement (BM), including running away from a BM as it is occurring. Pixel is 5.5 years old and she still sometimes runs away from her BM's while they are happening.
4. Unexplained potty accidents, even if they are potty trained. If you are paper training and you occasionally have rogue locations where pee or poo will occur. Sometimes they have trouble holding it due to the cut tail muscles. They rely on the entire tail for this body function so it can be hindered with a docked tail.
5. Redness, inflammation or scaling at the tail nub tip. Before Pixel's surgery to try and correct her tail pain, would get seriously red and inflamed at times. Now it gets red after she has 'gone after it' due to pain & discomfort.
6. Sudden and unexplained moments where the dog leaps, jumps, or catapults themselves off of a bed/couch/chair and either runs away or goes after the tail. Leaping up suddenly then leaping down again off the furniture is often a sign they are getting sudden stabs of pain or stinging at the tail nub and are trying to 'get away' from the source of discomfort.
7. Sulking, having head down, and acting like they are in trouble or are being punished for no apparent reason. Dogs often associate the stabbing, stinging pain as something that is being "done to them" so they might very well feel they are being punished when they feel it. It's very psychologically traumatizing for them.
8. If someone goes to pet or touch the dog near their back end or tail, is there occasional crying out, yelping, or even nipping at that person (or another pet if that pet gets too close to the tail). This can occur when someone is trying to either pick the dog up or move the dog for whatever reason.
9. Refusing to come when called, even though the dog knows and usually obeys that command. When you try to call them, they might sit in a bed, on a rug, in the corner, etc, just looking at you while you are calling them, trying to get them to come to you. This can be an infrequent occurrence where other times the dog obeys with no problems or hesitation (again, this refers back to them either thinking they are in trouble when they are hurting or that you are the cause).
10. Playtime, happy reunions, and/or meal time excitement getting interrupted by a sudden tail biting episode. Getting excited over a loved one coming home or a fun play time, can often cause a sudden bout of pain or stinging that results in yelping and 'going after' their tail. Excitement runs through the nerves in all dogs tails (or tail nubs) as they wag with joy, so docked tail dogs get 'punished' (in their eyes) for being excited.
This is one of the hardest things for my heart to deal with...my little one, your little one, being in pain or discomfort just because they are happy. Whenever Pixel gets excited to see me, especially when I come home from being gone, and sometimes during meal time or play, her tail will give her a fit and she will even scream like I have hurt or hit her, then she either runs away or desperately tries to get out of my arms. I used to think something else was going on. The fact is, during these excited times, when she should just be able to enjoy my homecoming, she is being stung by the nerves in her tail. Pixel can't even show how happy she is to see her Mom without her tail stinging and hurting.
The above list is just a few of the signs and behaviors of a docked tail dog. Docked tail pain is a very real and very serious issue that should be addressed as soon as possible for any dog who exhibits signs and/or behaviors that their tail nub is bothering them. Quite often, things are overlooked, missed, or misdiagnosed, and the dog suffers silently and without understanding. Make sure your vet validates the issues your dog is having and that they really analyze the tail nub to see what is wrong.
Don't despair though, because there is hope. You can still have a happy dog, you just need to help them deal with docked tail pain. In my next post, I will share ways to help dogs with docked tail issues.
Please follow us on Facebook and Twitter to keep up with the latest updates.
Thank you for sharing this valued information..I had no idea and it explains a lot about my little Charlie..
ReplyDeleteHi Denise!
DeleteYou are very welcome. I would love to know how your Charlie is doing this summer. I have a blog post coming VERY soon that highlights ways to help docked tail dogs get through those acutely troubling painful times.
If you're on Facebook, please come by and post a photo or two at www.facebook.com/NoTailLeftBehind
Jenny & Pixel
My dog has been having some of the symptoms you describe. He cries like he's being stabbed or something! He's 7 yrs old and never had this before. It began on Monday. Today is Thursday. I took him to the vet yesterday and she couldn't find anything... she expressed his anal glands; they weren't full or impacted or anything. She gave me some pain meds ( )which I gave him yesterday. He won't go up the stairs except for on the leash with me... he acts like he's afraid it will hurt. He eats, pees, poops no problem. He's not playing anymoe. He lays around like he's waiting for the pain to stab him again. I look and look with a flashlight and don't see an injury or anything stuck to him anywhere.
ReplyDeleteMaybe his eyesight is failing???
DeleteMaybe his eyesight is failing???
DeleteNow I need to find out how do you treat the docked tail pain... The meds she gave me for him is Vetprofen 75mg @ a half of a caplet once a day for pain. She said if he doesn't improve next she'd do xrays...
ReplyDeleteJust read this about tails. My lhasaspo started biting his tail 9 week ago till it bled and the vet had to remove so much of it as hus tail was dead at the end he has still been going mad to get his tail he has had a lamp shade collar on since he has had antibiotics as had a infection it is all healed now but he still goes mad o took his collar of tonght and he has attacked it again and has bit me and made his tail bleed the vet do said last week that it his all in his head but I am now worried after reading this what can I do thanks
ReplyDeleteAs a matter of first importance,consider why you need it done.On the off chance that your dog is not a working or hunting dog,is it important or is it your vanity?Generally the senseless line of thinking made is,it's my dog,my property and I will do what I need with it.It should,my dog,it's my property,I couldn't care less what others think or do.I would never do anything to hurt,mangle or damage my pet.He or she adores me genuinely, and I would never risk their trust and respect.My dog is perfect,only the way they are.
ReplyDelete❤️❤❤️❤
www.waggybaggy.com
My 1year old Rottweiler,Lexy,has been acting weird with her docked tail nub..spinning in a slow circle while rubbing her nub on anything she can to take that pain away...the carpet,grass,walkways..it is strange to see her doing it. I didn't know what was the problem until I googled it..came to this site..and it has answered alot of questions for me. I put a small amount of antibiotic ointment underneath Her nub,where it is raw from the rubbing..and it seems to have helped,because She finally laid down&fell asleep ..She has left it alone. .but As soon as She wakes up She right back into the spinning&rubbing her tail on the carpet to alleviate her uncomfortableness. Lexy don't do it all the time,but at this point She will need to see the vet. I feel bad for Her...but hopefully,she'll be helped soon enough..
ReplyDeleteSame with my 12 wk old Rottie. She cries and looks behind her. I put antibiotic ointment on it she goes to sleep. Now I have to get her to the vet asap.
DeleteMy 1year old Rottweiler,Lexy,has been acting weird with her docked tail nub..spinning in a slow circle while rubbing her nub on anything she can to take that pain away...the carpet,grass,walkways..it is strange to see her doing it. I didn't know what was the problem until I googled it..came to this site..and it has answered alot of questions for me. I put a small amount of antibiotic ointment underneath Her nub,where it is raw from the rubbing..and it seems to have helped,because She finally laid down&fell asleep ..She has left it alone. .but As soon as She wakes up She right back into the spinning&rubbing her tail on the carpet to alleviate her uncomfortableness. Lexy don't do it all the time,but at this point She will need to see the vet. I feel bad for Her...but hopefully,she'll be helped soon enough..
ReplyDeleteThe benefits of having a trained dog are endless. A few months ago I started to train mine with some videos I found online. They teach you step by step! Aggression, anxiety, biting, barking and disasters in the house have disappeared. My dog behaves excellent. And I have taught many tricks! Here is the address: theonlinedogtrainers. com
ReplyDeleteYour post is very helpful, thank you. It is funny how we may not understand dogs sometimes. We provide them a safe, warm place, large meals, a company and care, yet, if given the chance, they may wander who-knows-where and make us chase and look for them. See more here http://dogsaholic.com/training/keep-your-dog-from-running-away.html
ReplyDeleteHi everyone honestly i am so worried i bought a baby yorkie at 3 weeks old because the mom passed away and the previous owner cut her tail now she dosent wnt to eat wht should i do im scared
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your post. I can't find anywhere or anyone talking about this. My 7 month Rott has had issues since the day I got her at 9 weeks!
ReplyDeleteIt's my great honor to be on your blog,I benefit a lot from reading your blog..funny dog
ReplyDeleteMy 9 month old rotti has his tail docked and it looks like it hasn't healed right. The hair isn't growing in on part of it and he gets scabs. I didn't realize they felt so much but it explains a lot. I feel so bad now. I wish he had his tail. It should be illegal in the United States too!!
ReplyDeleteGreat article and do you have any tips i can do to help my dog with tail pain please. Vet suggested drugs but not keen to ho down that track. Thsnks Jo
ReplyDeleteOk so we have an almost 4 year old lab wimeriner mix that had happy tail so bad we had to take it off. It's been over a week and she is depressed and doesn't know what to do. She is way more clingy than normal and yelps for no reason at all....dont know what to do????
ReplyDeleteHow long did it take your pup to recover? I am dealing with happy tail and it sure isn't happy. We are on our second amputation, it is healing this time. The stitches and staples are out. Im having a hard time from keeping my pup from licking & chewing on it. ECollars won't work, his body & tail are too long, he can still reach. I've had to muzzle him which kills me. Does your pup continue to think she has a tail? have the nerves subsided? Does she have any ptsd and reoccurring pain?
DeleteI have a boxer. His tail was docked as well and its very short in my opinion. He has had so many problems with it. He has backed into things to many times to count and it hurts him so bad. I have had him to my vet a few times but vet did not see a problem. I hate docked tails! I see no point in this at all! I am going to get another opinion and hope there may be something i can do to help ease his pain! I love my dogs so much and knowing he suffers everyday mbreaks my heart!
ReplyDeleteMost dogs that are fairly anxious will get physical walk benefit (on or off lead) and some mental benefit from dog park visits but are un likely to progress much in their social skills if not practiced regularly each week.dog walking
ReplyDeleteThanks for the nice blog. It was very useful for me. gifts to Pakistan .
ReplyDeleteI adopted a 5 y/o olde english bulldog with a docked tail. 2 reasons I suspect phantom limb pain - he gets excited during walks and then suddenly chirps and snaps at his tail like he just got stung by a bee AND he gets super aggressive with other dogs when they go near his tail. Your article seems to confirm my suspicion I will be off to the vet to discuss asap. Thank you
ReplyDeleteThey’re also cast as heels, allegedly crafted due to the McMahon family’s belief that the far right cost Linda the election. A tag feud between these two seems a natural fit, with Darren Young cast as the good guy. what is the best vacuum for pet hair
ReplyDeleteFaultless and amazing online journal!
ReplyDeleteLow Sodium Canned Dog Food
The bad behavior of my dog forced me to investigate how I could train him. I found this system online and it has given me excellent results, https://tinyurl.com/dogbestbehavior ! He no longer bites my furniture, or my shoes, no longer urinates in the room, and no longer barks like crazy!
ReplyDeleteYou completed certain reliable points there. I did a search on the subject and found nearly all persons will agree with your blog. himalayan dog chew
ReplyDeleteIf you only go through one idea a week, within a few weeks or a couple of months you will have a significantly powerful real estate purchasing process.real estate exam prep
ReplyDeleteHome > Everyday Health > Pain Relief. Click to zoom. Tap to zoom. 1; 2; 3; 4; 5; 6; 7. × ... BAND-AID® Adhesive Bandages Variety Pack, 120 Count ... Back Pain Kit includes Large Good2Go™ Microwave moist heat and XL ICE IT! .. i loved this
ReplyDeleteToday, he is totally portable and agony free, on account of Arthri-Zen Relief¨. With three clinical preliminaries supporting the item's adequacy, he absolutely won't be the just a single. website
ReplyDeleteThis is a great inspiring article.I am pretty much pleased with your good work.You put really very helpful information. Keep it up. Keep blogging. Looking to reading your next post.
ReplyDeleteCarolineis11
A great content material as well as great layout. Your website deserves all of the positive feedback it’s been getting. I will be back soon for further quality contents. www.k9nerds.com/why-do-dogs-dig-in-their-beds
ReplyDeletehttp://www.donnasword.com/2010/07/four-dog-night.html?showComment=1561647618798#c6145976811783491566
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThis is such a great resource that you are providing and you give it away for free. I love seeing blog that understand the value of providing a quality resource for free. high anxiety dog crate
ReplyDeleteIt is a fantastic post – immense clear and easy to understand. I am also holding out for the sharks too that made me laugh. find article here
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing the info, keep up the good work going.... I really enjoyed exploring your site. good resource... training collar
ReplyDeleteIt's my fresh pleasure I came across to your lovely website while I was scrolling my mouse on the googe SERP. I was eager to learn about pain remedy and tail saver ideas online for our German Shepherd Bella and I am excited getting in this right place. This is really very helpful for me. It's a great experience too. I have already taken tours in several sites like happy tail prevention .But I am trying to learn more about it. BTW I would like to say cordial thanks to you surely.
ReplyDeleteYou make so many great points here that I read your article a couple of times. Your views are in accordance with my own for the most part. This is great content for your readers. The dog law is changing
ReplyDeleteSuch a good Blog. ecommerce packages
ReplyDeleteMy dog had her tail docked before I picked her up and did not know that the breeders routinely dock tails of their Cockapoos. I was doing some muscle testing on her and the muscle testing indicated hypericum homeopathic remedy, which is used for healing nerves and nerve pain. So if anyone has a dog with nerve damage from docking of tail I would definitely recommend trying hypericum as it can heal the nerve damage and not just cover up the pain.
ReplyDeleteI think that thanks for the valuabe information and insights you have so provided here. hamster cage ideas
ReplyDeleteThank you for posting this. I will be talking to my vet in a few weeks about this. I see so many parallels between what you talk about and my 13ml month old mountain feist. I never would have chosen to have him docked and I really wish they would make it illegal in the states.
ReplyDeleteI am considering getting a maltipoo at 11 weeks, her tail is docked unfortunatlely. She literally "sits" on her bum like she's protecting her tail area...plus it is way too short... I think I will pass as I believe she will have issues as she gets older. I'm so glad I found this site! THANK YOU!
ReplyDeleteAre you ready to start making money in real estate investing, but not sure where to begin? Afraid to make a HUGE Mistake?? Stuck with the Paralysis of Analysis??? You are not alone! Almost all real estate investors had to spend countless hours at the beginning of their investing careers researching the various strategies trying to figure out where they should begin. off plan properties dubai
ReplyDeleteWe have sell some products of different custom boxes.it is very useful and very low price please visits this site thanks and please share this post with your friends. best cat deterrent sprays
ReplyDeleteYou make so many great points here that I read your article a couple of times. Your views are in accordance with my own for the most part. This is great content for your readers. paws are good
ReplyDelete