Why is my dog's tail hurting and what should I do about it?

This could indicate a fracture of her tail or dislocation as the tail has joints just like the rest of the body. It could also indicate an anal gland issue or even a problem with the lumbosacral joint. Do not give your dog in a human medication as it could be toxic to dogs. I recommend having your dog seen by her veterinarian or an emergency veterinarian as she may need x-rays to diagnose the problem as well as dog safe medication for pain. keep her quiet and restrict her activity until she can be seen by veterinarian and do not try to manipulate the site at all.

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Bear. He could have sustained an injury to his tail and it may be painful. If he has had recent trouble defecating, this can also cause the dog to hold his tail differently. Finally, he may have a problem with his anal glands that is causing him pain. If this posture persists, he should see his veterinarian. In the meantime, do not give any over-the-counter pain medications as these can be painful to dogs. I hope this information helps!

She could have a tail sprain causing discomfort or skin irritation in that area. An anal gland infection would be another possibility. If she is that painful I would recommend seeing your veterinarian for an exam to determine what’s causing the pain.

If this has only been going on for a day or two, 'swimmer's tail' or 'limber tail' is a possibility. This is a swelling of the muscles at the base of the tail that can result in significant pain, and it can seem like the dog is unable to move it's tail. An injury would be less likely with no history of trauma. Spinal/lumbar pain is also possible. Anal gland inflammation could also cause some discomfort although it would be unusual to cause such extreme pain. Unfortunately I think a physical examination by a veterinarian would be necessary to diagnose the problem.

Poor Sunni! She sounds painful! She really needs to see a vet to get the appropriate nsaid pain medication for her size. She may have a sprained tail if it is sore and swollen just at the base of the tail, maybe 2-5 inches from the anus. This is common in large-breed dogs who have a big day of running or swimming (common in hunting labs) and then can't wag or lift their tail the next day. It is usually self-limiting, but extremely painful. Sunni needs some Rimadyl, Deramaxx, Metacam, or other dog-specific anti-inflammatory pain medication as this will make her feel much better much more quickly than time alone. Other pain medications like aspirin can have bad side-effects like stomach ulcers or GI bleeding, and would not recommend these. Maybe your vet has some donated medication or other options if you can scrape together the exam fee and explain your situation. Best of luck!

It is possible that she has a fracture, which is causing pain and difficulty moving her tail and sitting. An x-ray at the vet can confirm or rule out this injury. A tail and a shoe in the wrong places at the wrong times could certainly have caused it.

It could be Honey hurt her tail or her spine around her hips causing this pain. Do not touch her tail, and do not give her any human pain medications. Many are toxic to dogs, and can be fatal if given. Have her seen by a vet in the morning. The vet can diagnose what is causing her pain and can treat it. I hope this helps!