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Ask the Veterinarian/My Dog Wont Wag or Lift his Tail

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Expert: - 1/22/2010


Question
I have a 6 year old lab/retriever mix. He got out of the yard the other night and was gone until the next morning. He was laying out front and when i saw him i called to him and he wouldnt move. Then when he did come to me his tail looked limp and he wasnt wagging it. I wasnt yelling or mad at him, he is a very happy boy. Now its been another day and he is acting sad and wont lift his tail or wag it. I am thinking somebody injured him when he was out the other night.? He doesnt seem to be in pain but he seems uncomfortable. He is eating but not very much. He just isnt himself. If somebody did something to him what could they have done? What could have happend? I am worried and disturbed by it. What should i do? I dont want to rush him to the vet. if not neccessary, money is tight...But of course i will if need possible. What do you think could have happend? What should i do?
Thank you for your time.
Meghan

Answer
Most of the time when this happens the dog has been struck by something (like bumped by a car) or has injured his lower back. The muscles that wag the tail are around the sacrum (where the hips join the spine) so if the sacrum is injured, the dog won't want to move or wag his tail.

You can check his toenails to see if a car bumped him because they will be worn down and splintered looking- or you can see if he has road rash on the inside of his legs.

They can hurt their sacrum or lower back by running up hills, jumping off of furniture or other things, and from twisting while running after a cat or something.

If he were my dog I would have the vet look him over. You can make sure his tail isn't broken that way and get some safe anti-inflammitories for him.  

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Jana Connell RVT, CVT

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PLEASE READ BEFORE SUBMITTING TO ME: I am NOT a vet and do NOT diagnose diseases. That is only for a licensed Veterinarian to do. I will give you suggestions and steer you toward calling your vet for help. You can call the vet's office and talk to the technician there or the vet at times. Don't be afraid to call them! If you have a serious issue with your pet please post it to one of the veterinarians in here- I will tell you the same thing in my answer. IF your pet is injured or in an emergency situation, CALL YOUR VET- Do not wait and post in here. Just call the vet's office and get them in to see the vet right away. Critical treatment time is lost if you seek answers here when you should have your precious pet at the vets!! Don't sit at home waiting for an answer when your pet is critically ill or injured!! I can answer most questions about small animal and wildlife care as well as small animal nutrition. I can also answer questions about all phases of dental care for small animals. I DO NOT answer questions about birds (unless it is wildlife or songbirds) or HAMSTERS/GERBILS/CHINS/GUINEA PIGS/REPTILES/FROGS/RABBITS/PET BIRDS OF ANY KIND so please submit these questions to the appropriate sections. I, as well as other experts in here, do NOT do homework questions- that is for YOU to do! Please respect these rules for all of us. Thanks!

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I have over 35 years experience in the field of veterinary medicine. I specialized in small animals and did wildlife rehab for over 25 years, mostly raptors, squirrels and opossums. I am a Small Animal Nutritional Consultant with 6 certificates from Hills Pet Foods, CNM and Purina. I also specialized in Small Animal Dentistry which is a field I truly love.

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Licensed with California and Oregon, RVT and CVT. Certified Veterinary Dental Technician Have over 500 logged hours of Continuing Education Credits(that means I keep up to date!).

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