A dog’s tail has a number of functions. It expresses how the dog is feeling and stabilises the dog’s body when they move. When a dog stops wagging their tail it can therefore mean a change in the dog’s emotional state or it may be a symptom of a musculoskeletal injury or veterinary condition.

What is the anatomy of a dog’s tail?

A dog’s tail is an extension of the vertebral column and comprises up to 20 coccygeal vertebrae – depending on whether the dog’s tail is docked. Normally, the dog has a good range of motion in their tail. Dogs’ tails can move up and down – held high or tucked between their legs. They can move laterally: side to side as when the tail is wagging and they can also rotate from its base at the pelvis.

The movement of a dog’s tail is performed by several muscles. The medial and lateral dorsal sacrocaudal muscles elevate or extend the tail; the medial and lateral ventral sacrocaudal muscles depress or flex the tail and the caudal intertransversarius, levator and coccygeal muscles move the tail from side to side.

The way a dog normally carries their tail is largely determined by their conformation. For example, Siberian Huskies and other northern breeds will carry their tail curled over their back, while a number of terrier breeds carry their tail upright (often referred to as a “gay” tail).

What is the cause when a dog stops wagging their tail?

Assuming the dog’s emotional state has not changed, then changes to the way the dog carries their tail or changes in the movement of their tail may indicate a musculoskeletal issue. It may also be a sign of other conditions which should be diagnosed by a veterinarian.

In cases of a musculoskeletal problem, a dog may alter their tail carriage to compensate for abnormalities in their gait. For example, a dog with hind leg problems may shift their weight onto their forelimbs and shoulders and tuck their tail as a way of weight shifting forward and minimising the load on their hindquarters. Older dogs with muscle atrophy in their hind limbs often carry their tail low and still to help compensate for the loss of power in their hind quarters.

A dog may resist moving their tail to one side so it appears their tail is wagging unevenly. This can be a sign of muscle tension in one of the dog’s hind legs. Likewise, muscle spasms or inflammation in the hindquarter muscles can restrict impulses to the nerves in the sacrocaudal muscles which will affect tail movement.

Changes in the way the dog’s tail wags can also be a symptom of adhesions in the fascia of the dog’s trunk and tail. When the connective tissue covering the gluteals and tail is not well lubricated, it can restrict tail movement.

How to treat a dog that is not wagging their tail?

Veterinary diagnosis

In the first instance, if you notice changes in your dog’s tail movement and there is no obvious changes in the dog’s overall emotional state or obvious cause of physical trauma (such as the dog’s tail being caught in a door), then it is worthwhile raising it with your vet for diagnosis.

Soft tissue assessment

Where the veterinary diagnosis indicates a musculoskeletal problem, then an assessment of the dog’s gait and soft tissue status including muscle tone, joint range of motion, and examination of the fascia will reveal the body areas requiring treatment. A physical therapist can put together a treatment plan to address the problem areas.

Diet and exercise

When the dog’s fascia is implicated in abnormalities in tail movement, then ensuring the dog is well hydrated and exercises regularly to increase circulation to the fascia may resolve the problem. Tightness in the fascia over the trunk and tail is often seen in obese dogs, so keeping a dog at a healthy weight helps in maintaining normal tail movement.

In cases where the dog is immobile or unable to get sufficient regular exercise (possibly due to weight problems), then a remedial massage can stimulate circulation to the fascia and remove adhesions which restrict tail movement.

Manual therapy

Manual therapy including remedial massage (myotherapy), passive range of motion exercises and stretching can release muscle tension, relive muscle spasms and help reduce inflammation. Tail rotation and stretching exercises are particularly beneficial in restoring normal tail movement.

Exercise therapy

In cases where the dog’s tail movement and carriage are compensating for gait abnormalities from an injury or chronic condition such as osteoarthritis or hip dysplasia, then targeted exercise therapy aimed at strengthening muscles and improving the dog’s balance and flexibility may address the underlying cause of the changes in the dog’s movement and help restore normal tail movement.

How does your dog carry their tail? Leave me a comment or follow Full Stride on Facebook .

Until next time, enjoy your dogs.

Sources:

Evans, H & de Lahunta, A, 2013, Miller’s Anatomy of the Dog (4th ed), Elsevier Saunders, Missouri.

Kainer, Robert A & McCracken, Thomas O 2003, Dog Anatomy: A Coloring Atlas, Telon New Media, Wyoming USA.

Millis, D.L, Levine, D & Taylor R.A (ed) 2004 Canine Rehabilitation and Physical Therapy, Elsevier Inc, Missouri USA.