Happy Tail Syndrome in Dogs

When dogs are happy, they tend to show their happiness with a wagging tail. Some dogs, usually larger dogs with long tails and short fur, wag their tails a little too hard, and if the tail is too near a hard surface while they are wagging, the force of the wag can actually cause the thin skin at the tip of their tails to split open. This is called happy tail syndrome, and because of the placement of the wound and the natural tendency of the dog to continue wagging its tail, it can be difficult to treat.

Dogs that wag their tails too vigorously against hard objects may cause the tail to split open and bleed, and this problem might become chronic.

In some situations, the end of the tail bleeds just a small amount, but in other cases, the tail can bleed rather profusely, and the source of the bleeding is often fairly obvious. Other symptoms or behaviors you might see include:

• Bald spots on tail
• Biting at tail
• Raw patches on tail

Types 

Although almost any dog can develop this, dogs that have long, whip-like tails and a powerful wag are at a much higher risk for developing happy tail syndrome. This is particularly true if the dog has shorter hair and relatively thin skin. Dog breeds that are prone to developing this disorder can include:

• American Bulldog
• Belgian Malinois
  
• Boxer
• Dalmatian
  
• Doberman
• German Shepherd
• Greyhound
  
• Great Dane
  
• Labrador Retrievers
  
• Pit Bull Terrier
• Pointers

This is not commonly seen in smaller dogs or dogs with naturally bobbed tails and thicker or longer fur seems to provide some protection from this kind of damage.

This disorder occurs because the dog is wagging its tail with enough force to cause hematomas, cuts, or injuries to the skin to occur when the tail makes contact with a hard surface. It is less common in smaller dogs as they are typically unable to wag their tail with enough force to damage it, although dogs with thicker fur and thicker tails are afforded some protection due to the musculature of the tail and the padding caused by the fur.

Your veterinarian will most likely check the patient’s overall health and well-being by performing a general physical examination. This will include checking the dog’s respiration, heart rate, and temperature. They will clean and examine the wound on the tail thoroughly to determine how critical the damage is and to see if there are any external signs of infection such as a foul odor or discharge.

If an infection is suspected then standard blood tests, such as a complete blood count and biochemical profile, might help reveal to if an increased white blood cell count is present, indicating that an infection is present. The wound may also be swabbed, and a culture might be done to determine what sort of infection is present. In situations where severe damage has occurred, the veterinarian may choose to image the area using x-ray and possibly ultrasound technology in order to check for damaged ligaments or tendons or broken vertebrae.

Treatment will depend on the severity of the wound as well as the frequency of reoccurence of the syndrome. In even the mildest of happy tail cases, the tail will need to be wrapped to keep it from getting damaged again, and in moderate situations, a suture or two may be required. The wrapping of the tip of a dog’s tail is a task that is easier said than done due to the shape and motion of the appendage, but your veterinarian can help walk you through the steps.

Many dogs require an Elizabethan collar to keep them from chewing on or removing the bandage, and in some cases, your veterinarian may recommend a special appliance designed to keep the dog’s tail relatively still with as little discomfort as possible. When either a bacterial or a viral infection has been discovered, the examining doctor will prescribe the appropriate antibacterial or antifungal medication. In very rare cases the dog may have actually broken some of the vertebrae in the tail, and a cast may be needed to ensure it heals properly.

Happy tail syndrome can take several weeks to heal, and during this time it is important to ensure that the bandages stay clean and dry. If the bandage on the tail becomes wet at all, it needs to be removed and reapplied immediately, and even when it remains clean and dry, it should be removed, checked for infection, and rewrapped every two to three days to prevent new infections from developing. Some dogs injure their tails repeatedly, leaving them at risk for dangerous infections. In situations that have become chronic, amputation of all or part of the tail may be suggested.