Happy tail syndrome may sound appealing, but this syndrome is no walk in the dog park. It’s painful for dogs, messy for owners, and a challenge for veterinarians to treat.
Happy tail syndrome occurs when a dog repeatedly whacks his tail against hard objects (walls, doors, furniture) until the end of the tail becomes an open wound. Large dogs with thick, powerful tails and short hair are the most susceptible. It’s common in Labs, Pit bulls, and hunting breeds. If you have a boxer, a pug, or any breed with a curved tail, then you can breathe a sigh of relief.
In addition to breed, happy tail syndrome also has “everything to do with personality,” says Carrie Uehlein Doctor of Veterinary Medicine at The Veterinary Hospital of Davidson in Davidson, North Carolina. Dogs with happy tail syndrome, says Dr. Uehlein, are “bright, energetic, and super excited to see people. They will not stop wagging their tails no matter how much it may hurt them.”
via Whisker Therapy