My Yorkie's tail hurts after jumping. Is it IVDD or anal glands?

Unfortunately groomers tend to think they know how to empry anal sacs andd offer that as a service. This is something only to do by a veterinarian who knows how to do this correctly. Groomers teend to squeeze the anal sacs from the outside and often cause bruising and possibly even cause damage. Please take CC to your veterinarian and have the anal sacs checked for bruising, impaction or injury and do tell the vet that she was at the groomers.

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.

It sounds like Misty's anal sacs may be impacted if they are swollen, and they will need to be expressed to prevent them from rupturing. If you've never expressed her anal sacs before, I would have her seen by the vet to have it done. When a dog's anal sacs are impacted, that is painful for the dog, and it could cause Misty to hold her tail differently. I don't think her tail is broken, but I can't say that for certain without seeing her in person. I would have Misty seen by a vet tomorrow, who can diagnose if her tail is broken, and can express her anal sacs if needed.

Lola certainly sounds uncomfortable! Discomfort with movement of the tail can have a variety of causes, including spinal/vertebral pain, anal gland problems (impacted, abscessed, or simply full), urinary tract infections, etc. From your description of yelping and panting, it does sound as though Lola is painful. She should see her vet for an exam. Your vet will be able to perform a rectal exam to check her anal glands, neurologic and orthopedic exam to check her back and tail function, and even a urinalysis to check for signs of infection.

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.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! While an anal sac issue is possible, other things like potentially a soft tissue injury to the tail, a fracture of one of the tail bones and even a condition called "lumber tail" appear more likely. I recommend that you have him evaluated by your veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. They should be able to localize his pain and proceed with diagnostics if needed as well as prescribing a medication for pain if it seems indicated. Good luck and have a good day!

Chronic pain in a three year old Yorkie should definitely be investigated more closely by your primary care vet. Back issues are quite common in small breed dogs, usually related to disk disease in the spinal column. This can be verified with an x-ray. Your vet will also be able to perform a thorough orthopedic exam to try and see if the pain is arising from elsewhere. Pain and be treated with various medications, including anti-inflammatories, opioids, and muscle relaxants. Sometimes, the best thing you can do for dogs in these cases is rest them. This means no more jumping, no more running, and no more rough housing for a couple of weeks to allow for any healing that might be needed. I realize this might be frustrating for both Lou and you, but it potentially might be for the best. Let me know if I was helpful and if there is anything else I can do for you.