Blog post Is your dog’s tail kinked or bent? It might be one of these two conditions, so it’s important to know what to do next to prevent injury.

Key takeaways:

• Limber tail syndrome, also known as broken wag or swimmer's tail, is often caused by overworked muscles and can look like a broken tail. Causes of limber tail include increased tail activity, swimming, crate transport, under-conditioning, overexertion, cold and wet weather, and potential genetic factors.

• A broken or dislocated tail may indicate that other injuries are present.

• There are several things you can do to prevent tail injuries

Did you know that your dog’s tail doesn’t wag just to indicate happiness? Pups communicate a lot of information from a simple tail wag, and they wag their tails for many reasons. That means paying attention to their tails can tell you a lot about your pet!

How well do you know your dog’s everyday behavior? Does their tail look normal? Does it move freely when wagging? If your pup’s tail isn’t wagging like normal, something may be wrong. This article will give you key things to look for in your dog’s tail, plus what to do in case of an injury.

Signs that there is something wrong with your dog’s tail

Your dog’s tail is an extension of their spine and can have between five and 23 different vertebrae, depending on the length. Your pup can injure their tail the same way you can break or sprain an arm or leg. The longer the tail, the greater the possibility of an injury.

Dogs are great at communicating what they are feeling; you just need to know what to look for:

• The first indication your dog’s tail might be injured is behavior.

• If your pup tries wagging but does so listlessly, there might be an injury. A dog's tail limp can also be a sign of fatigue or injury, especially after activities like swimming.

• Dogs tend to lick injuries, so constant tail licking is a sign there might be a problem.

• Tail-tucking is another indication something is wrong.

• A flaccid tail, where the tail appears limp and lacks normal movement, is a key indicator of limber tail syndrome.

• A dog in pain may also whimper or cry out.

Inspect the tail itself. Are there noticeable bumps, kinks, or bends? Is your dog’s tail held horizontally or drooping? Each are signs something is wrong, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they have a broken tail.

Limber tail syndrome

What is limber tail syndrome? Limber tail syndrome, a painful medical condition that makes the tail look like it is broken, has a number of euphemisms: limber tail, broken tail, dead tail, cold water tail, and more. Many pet parents see their dog’s lack of tail wagging and think it must be broken. That may be the case, but your dog may instead be suffering from acute caudal myopathy, or “limber tail syndrome,” also known as swimmer’s tail, a condition where the tail becomes flaccid or limp after strenuous activity or exposure to cold environments. Limber tail diagnosis typically involves a visit to the veterinarian, where a physical examination will be conducted to check for signs of injury, pain, and abnormalities in the tail.

What causes limber tail in dogs?

Large-breed working or hunting dogs, like retrievers, pointers, setters, and hounds, are most commonly affected by limber tail, but any dog can develop the condition. A muscle sprain or strain in the tail, triggered by overexertion or strenuous activity, typically causes the tail to become tail-fitting.

Limber tail syndrome, also known as swimmer's tail, often stems from overuse when playing or swimming, especially in cold water. Increased tail activity such as swimming, overexertion, and prolonged crate transport are common causes of limber tail. It is also called “cold-water tail,” because some dogs develop the ailment by swimming in cold water.

The condition is most common in working class or large dogs but can occur in any breed. Certain breeds, especially athletic and working breeds like retrievers, pointers, setters, and hounds, are more likely to develop limber tail due to activities such as swimming, hunting, and exposure to cold weather. In these cases, veterinarians recommend simple rest to allow your pup to recover. Resting the tail muscles is crucial for healing and recovery.

Other, more severe, cases of limber tail syndrome are caused by infections, cancer, anal gland trouble, bites or cuts leading to infection, and neurological trauma. Diagnosing limber tail often involves a visit to the veterinarian and a physical examination to look for signs of injury, pain, and abnormalities in the tail. Diagnostic tests like X-rays may be used to differentiate it from other conditions.

In these cases, surgery may be required. If your dog’s tail becomes limp after certain activities, it is important to seek veterinary advice. Dead tail is another name for limber tail syndrome, describing a painful condition that usually resolves relatively quickly on its own. Limp tail, often occurring after swimming or overusing their tail during play, is a common symptom of limber tail syndrome. Sporting dogs are particularly susceptible to developing limber tail syndrome, especially if they spend a great deal of time playing or working in water, particularly cold water.

Signs your dog’s tail might be broken or dislocated

Another possible scenario is that your dog’s tail might be dislocated or broken. A dislocation happens when the vertebrae separate. A break is the result of a fracture in the vertebrate. A tail break or dislocation can happen for many reasons, including falling on it, an accident, getting slammed in a door, or being pulled. It’s important to know that a tail injury could mean your dog is in tremendous pain.

The severity of your dog’s broken tail depends on where the break is. The injury will likely heal on its own if the fracture is at the tip, for example, but injuries get worse the closer they are to the base. A veterinarian may try to reset the tail while the break is fresh, but often the only thing they can do is help with pain management. Your dog must go to a vet, though. Otherwise, any kink or bend in the tail will likely be permanent. It is crucial to allow his or her tail to heal properly with adequate rest and proper care to prevent re-injury.

Preventing tail damage

There are several simple things you can do to prevent injury to your dog's tail. Most of the time, it comes down to simple awareness:

• If you have brought a new puppy into your home, for example, you'll have to be on high alert. Puppies are very curious and more likely to get into trouble.

• Check to see where your dog is before closing a door. Many dogs faithfully follow their pet parents throughout their home. Smaller breeds are often easier to miss as you move from room to room. Look before closing doors.

• Do you sit at a desk and work on a computer at home? Check to make sure your dog isn't in your path when you push your chair out to stand up from your desk.

• One of the most important things a good pet parent can do is monitor all interactions between their dog and small children. A very young child might be amused by your dog's wagging tail and playfully grab at it. Separate the two immediately if a child insists on grabbing and pulling your dog's tail.

• Keep an eye on your dog while walking. If you are walking in a wooded area with lots of nooks and crannies, be mindful of anything that catches your dog's attention. A frenzied chase of a squirrel over rocky or uneven terrain could result in an injury to your pup.

• Do you take your dog on hunting trips? Hunting dogs are often sent ahead by their pet parents as part of the process. Give your dog a thorough check for injuries after any solo adventures.

An increase in awareness means many home injuries can be prevented. If you notice your dog has a drooping tail, schedule a vet visit immediately. Familiarize yourself with your dog's normal behavior so you can identify when something has changed. These moments will serve as a warning your pup needs professional care.

How Scenthound can help

Scenthound offers services to keep your pup clean, healthy, and looking great. There's another benefit above just looking their best, regular routine care includes our S.C.E.N.T. Check™ report detailing our assessment of your dog's external health. You'll rest easy knowing there are professionals looking over your dog's tail (and whole body!) for any kinks, breaks, or other signs of trouble. We'll alert you to any issues we find so you can get your dog any help needed.

Find your Scenthound location to get started today!