Why does a dog tuck its tail between its legs: fear or illness?

Causes of trembling in dogs

Hypoglycemia

Hypoglycemia occurs when there is a sharp drop in blood sugar levels, accompanied by low body temperature and general weakness. Failure to provide timely assistance can result in convulsions, loss of consciousness, and death. The animal needs to be given something sweet or given an injection of glucose.

Spinal injury

If the spine is injured, the dog begins to hunch over, shake, tuck its tail, whine, and paralysis is possible. A painful sensation in the back can also lead to restless behavior; the dog will often sit down, trying to relieve the spasm; “running” in a lying position indicates a pinched nerve or the beginning of paralysis.

Other reasons

Trembling in the body and a tucked tail may indicate pain caused by a mechanical shock, thermal exposure, or disease of the internal organs. Trembling and tail tucking are also observed in animals with headaches or toothaches. Suspicion of a disease obliges the owner to take the pet to a veterinary clinic for examination, diagnosis and prescription of the required treatment.

Take the Attention Test! Find 10 differences! (click right here!)

Find the answer Are you bothered by some problem or question? Enter “Breed” or “Name of the problem” into the form, press Enter and you will find out everything about the issue that interests you.

Trembling in animals occurs due to various reasons. Provoking factors can be harmless or dangerous to health. The degree of danger is assessed based on the totality of all symptoms that appear.

Psychological reasons for a dog with its tail between its legs

In most cases, a healthy, calm animal in a relaxed state will not tuck its tail between its legs. This position is unnatural and signals psychological tension, stress or fear of a person or something. Let's list the situations when you can see that a dog begins to tuck its tail and whine:

The animal has encountered a larger individual, senses danger upon meeting it, and tries to reduce the spread of its scent. The dog experiences stress in large crowds of people, with an abundance of unfamiliar smells and noises. New surroundings and loud sounds frighten the animal. In addition to the tail, you can notice the dog’s frightened look and flattened ears.

Improper upbringing also leaves a significant imprint on the animal’s psyche. If an animal has been beaten, scolded, or raised incorrectly since puppyhood, then pressing the tail has already become an involuntary reflex. In any unusual situation that makes the animal nervous, it hides its tail.

The animal lived in isolation, for example on a chain from an early age. In this case, the dog simply does not know how to communicate with other relatives or strangers. And when meeting strangers, the dog either becomes extremely aggressive or clamps its tail.

Quite often, the dog also sits down when it realizes that it behaved badly. For example, the animal was left unattended in the house for some time, and during this time the dog ruined things or shit or chewed something. In general, he did what his owners forbid him to do in ordinary life. Even when the dog sleeps on the owner’s sofa or bed, which is prohibited, he can press the organ. He himself understands that he acted badly and betrays himself with his behavior.

There is another version of this behavior. The beast intuitively tries to hide the important reproductive organs, as well as the abdominal area. If we consider that such signs appear precisely at the moment of fear, aggression, when the dog expects a blow or attack from a relative, then this version looks quite plausible.

What symptoms along with trembling should you contact a veterinarian for help?

Trembling (tremor) is a rapid, uncontrolled contraction of the muscles of the limbs or the entire body. The symptom is a consequence of the dog’s painful or emotional state. The cause of trembling may be natural, for example from cold.

Trembling is caused by:

failure of electrolyte balance in the body;
intoxication;
neurological disease;
allergy;
hormonal imbalance;
hypoglycemia;
infection by parasites or viral infection;
stress;
injury;
a sharp decrease in calcium in puppy dogs;
overheat.

With an electrolyte imbalance in the body, the ratio of potassium and magnesium levels is disrupted; malnutrition and impaired functioning of the thyroid gland and kidneys can provoke a malfunction. Characteristic symptoms are trembling, low blood pressure, pale mucous membranes, irregular pulse, elevated temperature - the dog tucks its tail and shakes as if frozen, convulsions are possible.

Intoxication is caused by spoiled or unsuitable food for dogs, ingested chemicals, insect bites, and snake bites. Tremors, difficulty breathing, high blood pressure, low or high temperature, copious saliva, and foam from the mouth appear. Diarrhea and vomiting with blood may occur. Coordination is impaired, mucous membranes change color - they turn blue or red.

Epilepsy provokes severe convulsions, the dog sticks out its tongue. Typical symptoms include restlessness, vomiting, difficulty breathing, trembling of the whole body, and fainting. The provocateurs of the disease are head injuries, exposure to an electric discharge, severe intoxication, and a hereditary predisposition to the disease is possible.

Trembling may occur together with typical allergic symptoms (inflammation of the skin, itching, discharge from the eyes, ears, nostrils, frequent bowel movements, etc.).

A lack of thyroid hormones (hypothyroidism) is manifested by trembling, weakness, rapid heart rate, rapid weight gain, skin diseases, excessive shedding, diarrhea or constipation.

Hypoglycemia causes diabetes; a decrease in glucose levels provokes trembling, weakness, loss of appetite, excessive salivation; in severe cases, convulsions, fainting, and paralysis are possible.

Trembling, along with other symptoms, is caused by infectious and viral diseases. The painful condition is often manifested by fever, stool disturbances, vomiting, and cough. Bladder infections and kidney disease cause frequent (sometimes unsuccessful) urges to go to the toilet, incontinence, and discoloration of urine. When infected with worms, frequent trembling appears, body weight decreases, digestion is disrupted, the stomach increases in volume, and the animal’s mouth smells unpleasant.

Trembling is characteristic of a nervous disorder, when experiencing stress, the dog begins to tremble, this is possible when the usual environment changes, the dog may be restless or apathetic, begins to whine, howl, refuse to eat or demonstrate an unhealthy appetite.

Trauma can lead to neurological pathologies, shock accompanied by trembling, increased breathing, cold extremities, and pale gums are possible.

Trembling in pregnant or whelping bitches is caused by eclampsia - a significant decrease in calcium, leading to a malfunction of nerve cells. The appearance of vomiting, high fever, and breathing problems indicate the need for urgent contact with a veterinarian. Until the mother's health is restored, the puppies are transferred to artificial feeding.

Overheating in dogs occurs in the summer; prolonged exposure to the sun risks heatstroke. A similar effect is possible in dogs left for a long time in closed cars when it is hot outside. In addition to trembling, dogs experience breathing problems and weakness.

Associated symptoms indicating a painful condition:

high or low body temperature;
diarrhea;
vomit;
changed color of urine;
allergic reactions;
change in color of mucous membranes;
breathing problems;
change in behavior (aggression, apathy);
weakness, drowsiness, poor appetite, thirst;
lack of coordination;
loss of consciousness.

Any of the listed signs obliges the owner to pay close attention to the health of the pet and promptly contact a veterinarian.

Behavioral reasons and external factors

All dogs are prone to behavioral deviations, but for strange behavior to occur, reasons are needed.

In a global sense there are three of them:

Improper upbringing or low level of socialization.
Severe stress experienced by the dog in the past.
Mental disorders - such a diagnosis is very difficult to make.

A dog's tail between its legs can indicate a number of signals:

– ears are flattened, the animal is trying to get away.
Panic fear
- the dog shrinks, hides its head, runs erratically, whines.
Passive-defensive reaction
- the four-legged animal looks scared, but is ready to defend itself.

If we consider all of the above factors together, we can conclude that fearfulness is an abnormal trait for a dog

. An animal that is constantly afraid and worried is stressed. Stress leads to depression or more noticeable behavioral problems: the dog runs away during walks, does not obey, craps in the house, chews things, hides, bites when scared, etc.

Fear is a powerful survival mechanism, without which entire species would die out. He stops, he prevents dangerous actions. Fear can have two sources: internal and external. An external threat is an omission of the owner, since it is the person who is responsible for the safety of the pet.

Inner fear is a deeper state that can be normal or imposed. In the second case, we are talking about a mental disorder or obsessive-compulsive disorder. It looks something like this:

A dog always behaves the same way in a threatening situation.
After experiencing stress, the animal remains depressed.
Calm comes after a certain ritual of action, for example, the pet chases its tail for a long time or eats inedible things.

What procedures does the veterinarian prescribe?

Appropriate treatment is prescribed by a veterinarian after the cause of the trembling is determined; sometimes it is necessary to undergo an examination and obtain test results.

In case of electrolyte imbalance, intravenous administration of a water-salt solution is required. To avoid further problems, you need to examine the thyroid gland, kidneys, and carry out proper treatment of the identified diseases.

In case of food poisoning, first aid can be provided to your pet at home; the dog is induced to vomit, given an absorbent, and provided with plenty of fluids. If the cause of intoxication is not clear, the dog should be shown to a veterinarian. Gastric lavage, intravenous drips, and the use of antispasmodics, antiemetics, homeopathic and cardiac medications may be required.

For animals suffering from epileptic seizures, the veterinarian prescribes antiepileptic drugs and anticonvulsants.

To eliminate allergy symptoms, antihistamines are prescribed; in some cases, antibiotics and the use of hormonal and antifungal drugs are required.

In case of hypothyroidism, the deficiency of hormones is compensated for with hormonal drugs, the dosage of which is calculated only by a doctor.

In case of hypoglycemia, glucose injections are given; advanced disease requires thorough treatment; failure to provide timely assistance threatens hypoglycemic coma and death of the animal.

Depending on the virus or infection, different drugs are prescribed; these can be antibiotics and vitamins, mucolytic cough suppressants, immunostimulants, antiviral injections and other medications. In the fight against worms, deworming tablets or suspensions are used.

Dogs are prescribed sedatives to eliminate anxiety caused by changes in residence, exhibitions and other situations.

Depending on the severity of the injury, different treatment methods are used; painkillers can be used for pain syndromes.

If calcium levels are insufficient in pregnant or pregnant dogs, calcium chloride injections or calcium gluconate supplements are prescribed.

For all diseases, only a veterinarian can provide proper treatment.

External factors and reasons why dogs tuck their tail and sit

Depending on your pet's behavior, you may also be able to identify some oddities. This also includes a tucked tail. The reasons for such oddities are considered to be:

severe and frequent stress experienced by the animal;
.mental disorders;
improper raising of a pet.

Situation: the dog tucks its tail and runs. The reason for this may be:

fear (if a dog is afraid of something, it also tucks its tail and hunches over);
panic - while the animal is still lethargic, does not eat, whines and tries to hide its head;
self-defense reaction - the pet looks scared, but he is ready to defend himself.

Fortunately, this phenomenon is considered temporary, so the owner will probably be able to notice changes in the pet’s behavior. If the dog trembles and tucks its tail for more than 1.5-2 days, you should definitely show it to the doctors.

According to veterinarians, fear and stress are considered the main reason why a dog does not eat and tucks its tail. These conditions are powerful mechanisms responsible for the survival of individuals. Therefore, with their development, the animal’s behavior will change significantly. Usually in such cases the pet:

doesn't eat;
the pet is lethargic;
does not run away during a walk;
he is afraid of everything and does not obey;
goes to the toilet right in the apartment;
chews things;
bites people.

Although this phenomenon is temporary, your pet still needs to be protected from it. Then she will stop being afraid and begin to behave normally again.

The dog tucks its tail - does something hurt? Sometimes this phenomenon can be observed in an animal due to its temperament. It is known that it is different for each dog - this is why some pets are constantly active, while others love peace.

Today there are 4 types of temperament in animals. Every owner should definitely get to know him in order to learn to better understand the animal and not harm its well-being.

Types of temperament:

Choleric. Such individuals are quite active - they quickly get excited, but also calm down easily. Cholerics are usually the most susceptible to stress, so if such a dog has its tail between its legs and does not play, there is no need to look for the cause of this behavior.
Melancholic. They fall into an excited state if a combination of certain factors occurs. It is worth noting that melancholic people have their tail between their legs - a common occurrence.
Sanguine. In such dogs, self-control is combined with excitability. Most mongrels are sanguine by temperament, as they have to fight for life.
Phlegmatic person. Often angry and experiencing strong fears - even a weak stimulus can cause fear and anger in the animal. Phlegmatic people are often stressed.

Knowing the reason for this phenomenon (what hurts her or what she is worried about), it will be possible to quickly normalize the pet’s condition. If this condition occurs as a result of an illness, the pet must undergo treatment.

In this article, we will look at why a dog tucks its tail, what the consequences may be, and what owners should do. First, you need to figure out what exactly a dog's tail is for. This organ of the animal is used to maintain balance, and is also a kind of “sensor” of the state of the dog’s nervous system. In addition, at the base of the tail there is a gland that creates and emits the specific smell of the animal.

By this smell, individuals become acquainted with each other; when a dog is happy, it actively wags its tail; it does not hide its smell, but, on the contrary, wants to be recognized. But when a dog is scared, it pinches its tail between its paws, thereby reducing the spread of its scent. As it becomes clear from the purpose of this organ, these can be psychological or physical health problems.

Why does a dog tremble after vaccination?

Any vaccinations have side effects. The post-vaccination reaction is expressed by the dog's slight trembling, refusal to eat, general weakness, diarrhea or vomiting, elevated body temperature, and the appearance of painful swelling at the injection site. The occurrence and intensity of the consequences after vaccination depend on the characteristics of the animal’s body.

To avoid or minimize the side effects of vaccination, the dog needs to be prepared for the procedure - choose a qualified veterinary clinic, deworm it 1-2 weeks before the visit, and also make sure that the pet is not suffering from any disease symptoms.

Usually, all complications after vaccinations go away on their own without intervention. Alarming signs that require the services of a veterinarian include severe convulsions, allergic reactions, prolonged refusal to eat, diarrhea or vomiting for more than 3 days, body temperature exceeding 39°C, and other symptoms that do not go away or worsen.

After the vaccine, quarantine is required, during which the pet cannot be taken outside, bathed, and contact with other animals is prohibited.

It is important to monitor your pet’s condition after vaccinations and be prepared for possible complications.

Trembling you can ignore

Often trembling in animals occurs for natural, non-critical reasons.

Harmless factors that cause trembling include:

cold;
sexual rut;
emotional sensitivity;
fear;
dream;
age.

Freezing, the dog tucks its tail, begins to tremble, and breathes intermittently. An animal can freeze not only during a walk, but also at home, after water treatments.

Sexual activity promotes unusual behavior. Seeing individuals of the opposite sex, dogs begin to shake, whine, become overexcited, attract attention in every possible way, and try to run away. Only spayed or neutered males and females are not susceptible to this. Trembling caused by a hormonal surge during the period of attraction to a partner is safe for the pet; the condition is normalized when hormones naturally stabilize.

Dogs often shake from an excess of feelings - excitement, joy. The dog usually demonstrates this behavior when the owner returns or when visiting familiar guests. In older dogs, excess emotions can cause jaw trembling.

Trembling and rapid breathing are possible with fear; the dog may be afraid of a large animal, a crowded place, a sharp sound - a clap of thunder, a volley of fireworks, sirens of special equipment, etc.

Sometimes tremors appear during sleep, but the tremor disappears while awake.

Old dogs develop tremors in their limbs. Senile trembling of the hind and apron legs has little effect on the movement of dogs and does not require treatment in the absence of other disturbing symptoms.

Congenital disorders

Most purebred dogs are prone to a number of hereditary diseases . Outbred animals are considered healthier because their gene pool is controlled by natural selection. Some breeds of four-legged animals are characterized by congenital disorders of the bone structure , while in others, ailments manifest themselves in childhood, adolescence or old age.

If the puppy tucks his tail because he cannot carry it any other way, the problem is in the spine and, most likely, it is congenital. The reasons are always the same, they can be divided into three types: gene mutation, thoughtless breeding, individual characteristics.

In the first place is thoughtless breeding, since the selection of sires for procreation is carried out according to a wide range of criteria. It just so happens that many people do not consider it necessary to think about what genetic abnormalities may appear in puppies. In the simplest cases, puppies will not have any abnormalities that affect their quality of life.

A kinked tail is a deformity of the spine due to the fusion of two or more vertebrae. The dog's tail must be flexible, since between the vertebrae there are nerve endings, and in them lies a canal with the spinal cord. If the spinal nerves are pinched during fusion of the vertebrae, the tail partially loses mobility. Perhaps the development of increased muscle tone, that is, they are always in a tense or compressed state.

Important! In some animals, a crooked tail causes more noticeable problems. For example, the dog hunches when walking or cannot sit down completely.

Do not buy an animal without a pedigree and be careful when choosing a puppy! Contact only officially registered breeders. Litters from breeding animals are inspected for defects before sale. If the puppy has deviations, appropriate notes are made about this in the documents.

How to eliminate chills in your dog yourself

Sometimes it is difficult to determine the cause of chills in a dog; you need to try to analyze the pet’s well-being, remember the events of the past days that could have affected the pet’s condition. A high temperature indicates possible infectious diseases or diseases of the internal organs.

If hypothermia is suspected, the dog should be warmed with a blanket or heating pad. To prevent the dog from freezing during walks in winter, he needs to wear special clothes. After home water treatments, the dog's fur should be thoroughly dried using a towel or hair dryer.

First aid for a hypoglycemic attack in an animal is to raise the glucose level, for this you can use honey (if there is no allergy), lubricate the gums with it or place it under the tongue every 6 hours until the trembling subsides or until veterinary intervention.

In case of poisoning, the dog requires gastric lavage, taking an absorbent, and drinking plenty of fluids. Allergy symptoms are suppressed with antihistamines. A frightened dog can be calmed down by a walk, a calm voice, the creation of familiar conditions, and eliminating the cause of anxiety.

Complex cases require a mandatory examination of the pet by a veterinarian. Only timely correct treatment will lead to a favorable outcome.

Reasons why a dog tucks its tail

For a four-legged friend, the tail, contrary to the erroneous opinion of many owners, is not only an aesthetic decoration and a subject of play for puppies. The organ is necessary for the animal to maintain body balance and helps maintain direction when moving. With its help, the pet makes turns, moves along a complex trajectory, and overcomes obstacles. For hunting and working dog breeds, the tail is important as a kind of rudder when swimming.

An important role is played by the terminal part of the spine in communication with relatives. With the help of one or another position of the tail, an animal can demonstrate its superiority, a leading position, or, conversely, show its submission or fear.

According to veterinary specialists and dog breeders with extensive experience, there are several reasons why a dog’s tail hurts:

The risk group includes hunting breeds of dogs, service dogs, large pets and elderly pets.

Which breeds are most likely to naturally tremble?

Individuals characterized by increased nervous excitability, manifested by natural trembling, include the Chihuahua, Yorkshire Terrier, Toy Terrier, Pomeranian Spitz, Dachshund, and Lavretka. Small dogs do not cope well with emotional stress; this provokes muscle tension, expressed by trembling of the limbs, head, and tail. The dog begins to shake in anticipation of a treat, at the sight of the owner or familiar guests, when going outside. The physiological tremor characteristic of these breeds does not threaten the health of the pet.

Representatives of small breeds are more susceptible to hypothermia, they react to cold with trembling, blood flow accelerates, and muscle contraction prevents thorough freezing. Such dogs need to wear special dog overalls during the cold season. Chihuahuas get cold even indoors; these dogs require plenty of warm clothing accessories.

Symptoms of the problem

Knowledge of clinical signs will help recognize the disease. If a dog has pain under its tail, the owner may observe the following symptoms:

The animal tries to take care of the sore spot - it does not wiggle it, does not show activity.
The base of the organ may be swollen. Swelling is observed both during injury and during the inflammatory process in the surrounding tissues.
Soreness is one of the main symptoms of the pathology. The caudal vertebrae contain a huge number of nerve endings, and any mechanical infringement or development of inflammation is accompanied by pain. The dog reacts negatively to attempts to pet it in the problem area and sometimes behaves aggressively.
If there are ulcers and erosions, the owner will find tousled and wet hair at the base of the tail. Some individuals even experience hair loss at the site of inflammation.
Unnatural position of the organ. The dog often tucks its tail under its belly and avoids physical activity.

Painful sensations lead to a decrease in the pet’s appetite and sleep disturbances. The dog may appear depressed and lethargic.

[custom_ads_shortcode1]