Canine Communication

It is said that a large percentage of our communication is non-verbal. One must watch for posture, facial expression, and arm positioning when speaking with another individual to try and obtain the entire message. Words are just a part of the whole picture. In my line of work, the non-verbal portion of the communication is enormous; spoken words do not cross the lips of any of my patients. Thus, I am left to read body language - position of the ears or tail, eye contact or lack thereof, is the front or the back end of the patient facing my direction, what sounds are coming to my ears? And the list goes on.

This became hugely apparent to me today as I observed the canine member of our family race about the backyard this afternoon, ball in mouth and obviously enjoying the movement. Something was missing from the joy in his face. His tail - which normally is carried high and wagging - was dropping limply behind, a far cry from the usual happy tail position. The condition is known as "swimmer's tail" or "rudder tail," occurring in dogs who have been out for a long swim recently. In our case, along the canal bank which chasing sticks, rocks, and bubbles. He doesn't seem overtly painful, but his tail is quite obviously not functioning normally.

Nothing in his face has changed. His tongue still flops out of his mouth while running, his eyes are full of expression, but his whole demeanor appears depressed from his lack of tail wag. Now, some dogs have no tails - bull dogs, boxers, Dobermans. Their communication is in no way decreased or conveys sadness as it does in my dog. But, when you're used to seeing the whole dog "light up" and be happy, to be missing this essential component is quite dramatic.

We gave him some pain meds and are not worried. In a few days' time, the tail will be back to full function. And with it will come the signs that he is, in fact, probably the happiest member of the family at all times.