The American Beagler Forum

Posted: **Sun Oct 09, 2011 1:24 pm**

Got a pup from my buddy it has a bend in his tail.not bad but a little. Can this be fixed? should it be done while he is little? I was goin to wait till he starts jus to be sure its worth it or not. He is bred very good and otherwise is very healthy . Thanks in advance for your opinion.

Posted: **Mon Oct 10, 2011 5:30 pm**

How far from his body does the bend start, or is the whole tail crooked from his body outward?

Posted: **Mon Oct 10, 2011 7:41 pm**

nearly the middle. And is kinda like if u slightly bend your index finger, with your wrist end being toward the head. If I am making any sense. Would b better if I get a pic. Will get it on here tomarow.

Posted: **Thu Oct 13, 2011 5:12 pm**

There is no way that I am aware of to fix this or correct it. It is most likely hemivertebra.

If it causes the pup to injure his tail in the field when he is older, a vet may have to surgically dock the pup's tail.

It could affect his score on the bench, if you show him.

Hemivertra is considered a genetic problem.

Here is a quote from another site:

"Hemivertebrae is a defect present at birth and genetically based, although the genetic structure appears to be a complex (multiple genes involved) interaction. Commonly referred to as "butterfly" vertebrae, hemivertebrae has its highest incidence in brachycephalic (short muzzled), screw-tailed dog breeds. In fact the screw-tail is actually an example of a hemivertebrae formation. This malformation may be pleasing when located in the tail but can have serious repercussions when located elsewhere in the spine.

Hemivertebrae are the result of the left and right halves of a vertebrae failing to fully fuse during fetal development. The resulting vertebrae resembles a butterfly when viewed from above. Each half of the hemivertebral body often grow unequally, creating a wedge-shaped (viewed vertically) body. The presence of a wedge vertebrae can cause a dorsal curvature (kyphosis) or a lateral curvature (scoliosis). Deformations in the backbone can compress the spinal cord and/or its blood supply, with serious ramifications.

Symptoms indicative of hemivertebrae will be dependent upon the number of malformed discs and the locations of these discs. The best way to be assured of proper spinal formation is through x-ray evaluation by a veterinarian familiar with "proper" spinal formation for your breed."

Posted: **Thu Oct 13, 2011 9:47 pm**

Thanks for the info. I couldnt get pic on here. Goon to vet on sunday so will know for sure .

Posted: **Thu Nov 24, 2011 11:59 am**

If you don't like it Band it. It will fall off in no time. But if it doesn't bother the dog you could leave it alone.

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