Crusty Tail Skin

[alschwahn]

Obviously I have too much time on my hands being quarantined. Aspens tail has always been a wonder of the world in our family because the thing is so strong it’ll knock a grown man over or bruise you. Well we were on the couch and I was checking out his tail and I noticed that the end of it is incredibly crusty and pointed. The tip of his tail no longer feels like regular skin and instead feels like a dog toenail. It’s shaped like the tip of a pencil. It doesn’t seem right because the rest of his tail seems like perfectly healthy and pink skin.

Would it be bad for me to trim the hairs away on the end of his tail to get a better look? And, if I can trim the hairs, what can I do to moisturize the skin?

It doesn’t seem to bother him but then again it is the very absolute tip of his tail so I’m not sure how much attention he pays to it...

 

[Cath]

I wouldn't touch it myself. I would just watch it and next time you go to the vet ask them to have a look at it.

 

[kateincornwall]

I agree with @Cath , would it be possible for you to take a photo to e mail your Vet ,for advice ?

 

[chrisc831]

I actually think this is normal. the very end of Fergus’s tail is like a hard point. My Golden Retriever had the same pointy end. Both had normal hair and looked just normal. Maybe a few of us could feel the very end of our pupsters tail. ( I did previously think it’s not right, but I know there is no reason for Fergus’s tail not to be average/normal.). Just to reiterate the tail looks normal.

 

[Emily_Babbelhund]

The tip of Carbon's tail is like this. Freaked me out at first - I'm not used to dogs with tails, let alone ones that feel like someone forgot to finish the end bit properly. Sometimes it's crusty, sometimes it's just really hard and pointy. I think the 'crusty factor' depends on how dry the air is and what time of year it is. Like anything dry-skin related, salmon oil seems to help.

 

[kateincornwall]

I wonder how many of us have now disturbed the dog to feel its tail ? Reubens tail end is quite hard and pointy x

 

[Emily_Babbelhund]

O wonder how many of us have now disturbed the dog to feel its tail ? Reubens tail end is quite hard and pointy x

I know, now I want to go find Carbon and feel his tail. I've just finished dinner upstairs and I bet he's tucked into bed. Poor guy won't know what to think when I barge in and start feeling up his tail!

 

[SwampDonkey]

It's were the bone ends

 

[alschwahn]

Phew okay thanks for always calming my fears guys I have some health anxiety so that extends to Aspen and I’m always asking myself “Is this normal?!”