Q: Why does AVMA policy oppose cosmetic tail docking?Ī: The essential question is not “How harmful is the procedure?”, but rather “Is there sufficient justification for performing it?” Performing a surgical procedure for cosmetic purposes (i.e., for the sake of appearance) implies the procedure is not medically indicated. Painful procedures conducted in the neonatal period when the nervous system is vulnerable can result in negative long-term changes which affect how pain is processed and perceived later in life. 25 The intensity or duration of the pain under ideal or typical circumstances is difficult to quantify. There is some early, but inconclusive, data that raises questions as to whether docking impairs communication with other dogs 23 or may increase the risk of developing incontinence. However there is no strong evidence that naturally bobbed or surgically docked dogs are physically or psychologically disadvantaged. 22Ī: It is natural for most dogs to have tails based upon their descent from a tailed species. In countries such as the United Kingdom where tail docking is legally prohibited (with a few exemptions) the breed standards of traditionally docked breeds have been amended. 18,21 Therefore tail docking of non-working dogs, even if their breed was originally developed for working purposes, is considered a cosmetic procedure unless evidence exists to the contrary. Survey data indicate that preventive tail docking of pet dogs is unnecessary. Q: Why is tail docking currently carried out on non-working dogs?Ī: Tail docking of some breeds may be based on a belief that their non-working members experience risks similar to working dogs more commonly, however, it is to conform to a distinctive breed appearance or standard. For example among the very similar Pointer, German Longhaired Pointer and German Shorthaired Pointer, only the German Shorthaired Pointer is traditionally docked. Differences between breeds that are docked and those that are not are often minor. 19 Diesel et al 18 reported that working dogs (predominantly gundogs) were not at significantly greater risk of tail injury than non-working dogs, but dogs that were kenneled were at increased risk. An uncontrolled study of German Shorthaired Pointers in Sweden suggested there might be a high level of tail injury subsequent to a ban on docking. 18 It has been suggested that certain breeds of dogs, or dogs used for specific purposes, have a greater incidence of tail injury. In the largest study to date on tail injuries in dogs the incidence was 0.23% and it was calculated that approximately 500 dogs need to be docked to prevent one tail injury. These justifications for docking working dogs’ tails lack substantial scientific support. Long-haired dogs may become more soiled if they have a hanging tail.Hunting dogs, such as pointers, may damage their tail tip in underbrush.A guard dog could be seized by the tail to thwart its attack.American Veterinary Medical Foundation (AVMF).American Journal of Veterinary Research (AJVR).Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association (JAVMA).AVMA Center for Veterinary Education Accreditation. AVMA Congressional Advocacy Network (CAN).Donate to American Veterinary Medical Foundation (AVMF).
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