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A dog’s tail may seem to be a simple organ, but it actually has several important functions in the daily life of an animal. Dogs use their tails for interaction and communication with people andother animals. A wagging tail is indicative of dog’s happiness whereas tucked tail between the legs denotes fear and submission. Moreover, the tail of dog helps in balancing the body during running, turning quickly, or jumping. Tails have a steering function that helps dogs, especially herding and hunting breeds, in staying steady and performing coordinated movements. Additionally, dogs use their tails to shoo away flies and other insects from their backside and cover up their nose for staying warm during cold weather.
Despite a tail being importance for dogs, tail docking is a globally performed cosmetic procedure that is often publicized as harmless to pets. It is mainly practiced for ridiculous aesthetic purposes, breed traditions and baseless concepts of injury prevention. It involves amputation of the whole or some part of the tail and is termed as caudectomy. Regardless of all the explanations, tail docking is a form of mutilation that can have serious physical and emotional consequences for pets especially if performed without full understanding of the tail anatomy. We aim to educate pet owners about the importance of allowing dogs to keep their tails.
Docking Procedure
Tail docking is performed either surgically or mechanically. Surgical removal involves the use of scalpel and scissors whereas tight rubber band is used in the mechanical method for causing ischemia and tissue death. This procedure is commonly performed during the first 3 to 7 days of life without taking special measures for pain reduction and inducing proper anesthesia. Main structures that are cut or mutilated during this procedure are skin, sub-cutaneous tissue, muscles, tendons, ligaments, arteries, veins, nerves and the coccygeal vertebrae. Sometimes, this procedure can even damage the dura mater. Hence, performing tail docking without proper understanding of the tail anatomy can have serious outcomes.
Tail Anatomy
Tail is an elongated appendage that is the continuation of spine. It is formed of a flexible chain of small bones that extends from 6 to 23 coccygeal vertebrae depending on species and breed. These vertebrae are surrounded by muscles and are interconnected by ligaments in addition to intervertebral cushion discs. Although typical spinal cord ends in the lumbar region, the tail has nerve roots and the cauda equina which are responsible for tail movement, perineal sensation, sensory input from tail and pelvic regions, and control of urination and defecation. These nerve structures are covered with a tough, fibrous membrane known as dura mater. Brain and spinal cord are surrounded and protected by three layers of meninges, and the outermost layer is the dura mater. It is made up of an abundance of extracellular collagen and fibroblasts. It serves as a barrier protecting the internal environment of the brain and spinal cord. It regulates the generation, survival and proliferation of neural progenitors in addition to the regulation of axon behaviour at peripheral-central nervous systems interface. If there is improper docking, the dura mater can also be damaged. This can result in seriously impaired nerve supply, exposure of cerebrospinal fluid and irreversible neurological complications. Additionally, there are skeletal muscles, arteries, veins and lymphatic vessels which, if damaged, can lead to chronic pain, inflammation and possibly infections.
Cutting Without Knowing
When someone cuts the tail blindly without knowing the proper anatomy, he may cut several additional structures. These additional structures that may be involved are:
- Muscles: Tail has several muscles which are responsible for facilitating movement and coordination. These include flexors, extensors and other muscles that are responsible for curling, wagging, lifting of tail, stabilization of vertebrae and connecting the pelvis and hips.
- Nerves: Dorsal and ventral roots of cauda equina are there for sensory and motor functions. These nerves may get cut during improper docking.
- Dura Mater: If docking is performed carelessly and too high, underlying spinal cord tissues and the dura mater may be affected.
- Bones: Tail docking involves cutting the living coccygeal vertebrae leaving behind rough and mis-aligned remaining bone.
A dog’s tail is not merely a decorative structure of the dog’s body but is far more than that. It is a very important physiological and anatomical structure that is linked with complex functions in dogs. It has essential roles in the communication, thermoregulation, body balance and even neurological functions of the body. Tail docking, especially when performed without having a thorough understanding of the intricate anatomy of the tail, is not just a cosmetic alteration but is a form of mutilation that can have serious and irreversible consequences for the dogs. Tail docking damages the muscles, nerves, blood vessels and the dura mater resulting in chronic pain, impaired mobility, loss of sensation and even long-term neurological issues. Hence, the pet owners and the veterinarians should focus on the modern research emphasizing the importance of the tail leaving behind the outdated traditions. Furthermore, such practices are also against the ethical principles of responsible veterinary care.
