Part of being a pet parent is keeping on top of our furry friends’ health, both minimizing the risk of them being ill or injured in the first place and ensuring they get the healthcare they need when they do need it.
Whether we’re planning a new walking route, weighing up different brands of food, their health always comes first.
Recently, a Dalmatian-Vizsla cross was excluded from competing at Crufts because of happy tail syndrome, a condition that many of us don’t know a whole lot about – in fact, you’d be forgiven for having not heard of it before at all.
However, happy tail syndrome isn’t an uncommon condition, so it’s a good idea to be aware of the basics. And that’s where Dr. Aimee Warner, resident vet at UK-based pet insurance provider Waggel comes in.
She explains, “Happy tail syndrome shows an irony for both dogs and their owners. The behavior that expresses a dog’s joy becomes a source of pain and potential long-term health complications.
“This is especially difficult because a dog’s instinct to wag its tail doesn’t stop because of pain, creating a cycle of injury and re-injury that can be distressing for both pet and owner.”
While a Dalmatian-Vizsla has made headlines because of the condition, among the dogs most susceptible to the condition are Labradors, greyhounds, and Great Danes, as well as others with long tails and energetic personalities.
Dr. Warner advises looking out for blood spatters on walls or furniture, raw or split skin on the tip of your dog’s tail, or a slight reluctance to wag. Early intervention can stop the condition from becoming chronic.
We can also help prevent injury by padding sharp corners at home and keeping an eye on excited dogs in confined spaces.
“Mild cases can be treated with protective sleeves and bandaging, albeit challenging,” adds Dr. Warner. “Severe or recurring cases may result in partial tail amputation as a measure to avoid chronic pain and infection.”
She finishes, “While the Crufts decision has brought attention to happy tail syndrome, it's important for all dog owners – not just those with show dogs – to be aware of this condition. We're happy to see our dogs wag their tails with excitement, but we certainly don't want that joy to lead to injury.
“Early detection and intervention are essential to prevent a minor tail injury from becoming a painful problem that could require surgery.”
Meanwhile, find out why do dogs have tails to begin with? And, for more insights on how your dog might use theirs, you might find this article useful: I learned these five dog body language cues and they changed my relationship with my dog.
