Buying a puppy with a broken tail: What health concerns should I know?

Broken tails do happen and dogs can live normal lives without their tail. I wouldn't worry about this as long as the tail is healthy now. Definitely have it checked out by your vet after you get it just to make everything is ok, but I wouldn't be worried about an amputated tail as long as it doesn't look infected, gangrenous (which is doesn't from the photos), and it can still use the stub. I hope this helps!

It would be incredibly difficult to do anything about broken bones in such a young puppy. It looks from the second picture that it did heal, but not in the proper alignment. We would need a new x-ray to determine what is going on now. Kenji is likely a perfectly adoptable puppy now, but depending on what the bones did while healing, he is at an increased risk of developing arthritis in that foot earlier than he would from simple old age. It's just something to watch every year at his annual checkup.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This would warrant a veterinary evaluation for further assessment and treatment. These types of traumatic lesions can result in a fracture of the tail which can be quite painful. Even when a fracture is not present, this tends to result in a lot of pain. They would be able to evaluate her and at the very least start medications for pain. Good luck and have a good night!

Thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach with your about Lily. The only way to tell if her tail is broken is to have her seen by a vet for x-rays. If it is broken, yes the vet can treat it. It will also be painful to her, and the vet can prescribe pain medication. Please do not give her any human pain medications as many are toxic to dogs and can be fatal if given. I'd take her into a vet now. I hope this helps!

Often tip of the tail injuries actually don't heal and we end up amputating the injured bit. If it's going to heal, it will take 4-8 weeks. Definitely stay in close conversation with your vet about what you're seeing at home and take Oscar in for a recheck as recommended (probably in every 1-2 weeks until it's healed or it's decided that it's not healing and needs surgery). I'll keep my fingers cross for you!

Poor Lucky! My biggest concern is how much pain he may be in and whether anything else was injured during the incident when his tail was broken. You can try to give him some canned pumpkin to help make it easier for him to have a bowel movement. For his size, I would give about 1 teaspoon twice a day. A broken tail really shouldn't affect how he urinates especially since he is a male. Unfortunately, there aren't any good over the counter meds to give to help with pain as most are toxic to dogs. You can read this article on aspirin and decide whether it is safe to give to him. I would definitely go on the low end of the dose if you decide to give it. Ultimately, if he isn't improving, I would strongly recommend to have your vet take a look at him to ensure nothing else is going on and to get him started on the proper pain meds to help him feel better. I hope this helps! https://www.petcoach.co/canigive/dog/aspirin/

Many dogs will naturally have a hemivertebrae, or partial vertebral bone in their tail. This can give the tail a kinked or broken appearance. If she let you touch it, wags it normally and does not appear painful than this may just be a natural variation. If there is swelling, or she seems painful, is holding the tail tucked or not moving it then she should be seen by a veterinarian to evaluate if there is a fracture or other injury. I hope this was helpful, thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach