Growth on docked tail? Is this normal?

[mandyja]

My dog Max has been biting at his tail, howling at me and then pointing at his tail. I have only had him for 1 month, and he is 3 years old.

It is not fleas or ticks, the vet has already checked for that and so have I.
I just looked with a flash light and see a growth at the tip of the tail. I am not sure if this is normal on a dog with a docked tail, or if this is possibly the reason his is always trying bite at his tail.

Do your dogs have this?

[megansmomma]

I'm not sure what to think about the howling and pointing at his tail. If it were me I would give the vet a call back and tell him that you can see a small growth at the end of his tail. Maybe it was not docked properly?

I'm in Chicago too.

[mandyja]

Does your dog have any growths on the tail? I guess I was just wondering if this was a normal growth from having it docked.

Cool! I live in the Jefferson Park area. It is freezing!

[megansmomma]

No mine do not have any type of growth on the end of their little nubs. They are smooth and rounded. I have heard that if a tail is not docked properly there could be problems. Let me see if there is someone who could maybe answer your question with a little more knowledge.

[Mardelin]

There is a possibility his tail was docked properly, leaving a bit of scar tissue.

The attacking is tail and all else you described could be an indication that his anal glands need attending, either full, infection or impacted.......this type of behavior is common when dogs are experiencing anal gland problems.

Either way a vet visit maybe in order.