Anatomical and ethical perspective of tail docking in dogs
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33448/rsd-v13i6.46023Keywords:
Anatomy; Amputation surgical; Canine; Tail; Surgery.Abstract
Canine caudal vertebrae make up the dog's tail, varying in number and size among breeds, and are fundamental for balance, communication, and emotional expression. Tail docking is a surgical procedure that amputates these vertebrae. However, when performed for aesthetic or cultural reasons, this practice has generated intense debates and significant controversies, raising questions about the justification for its continuation. Based on this, this work aims to describe the anatomy of canine vertebrae and tail docking, highlighting the potential harm that such mutilation can cause to these animals, supported by a literature review. Research indicates that the tail is essential not only for canine communication, allowing dogs to express a range of emotions and intentions, but also plays a crucial role in balance, especially during running and performing agile movements. Therefore, tail removal can significantly interfere with dogs' behavior and ability to express body language, in addition to potentially causing pain, discomfort during the postoperative period, and leading to serious complications such as infections and the development of amputation neuroma, a painful condition that occurs at the amputation stump. Currently, many countries have adopted laws and regulations that restrict or prohibit tail docking in dogs, except when necessary for medical reasons. The growing awareness of animal welfare has led to a change in attitude towards this practice, with more owners opting to keep their dogs' tails natural.
References
Almeida, I. D. (2021). Metodologia do trabalho científico. Ed. UFPE.
Bennett, P. C., & Perini, E. (2003). Tail docking in dogs: A review of the issues. Australian Veterinary Journal, Brunswick, 81(4), 208-218. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1751-0813.2003.tb11473.x
Bezuidenhout, A. J., Veins, I.N., Evans, H. E. & Lahunta, A., (2013) Miller's Anatomy of the Dog (4th ed.) 503-524. Elsevier Saunders.
Bradshaw, J. (2012) Cão Senso. Record.
Budras, K. D., McCarthy, P., Fricke W., & Richter R. (2007) Anatomy of the Dog. (5a ed). Hannover: Schlütersche.
Conselho Federal De Medicina Veterinária – CFMV (2008). Resolução nº 877, de 15 de fevereiro de 2008. Dispõe sobre os procedimentos cirúrgicos em animais de produção e em animais silvestres; e cirurgias mutilantes em pequenos animais e dá outras providências. Brasília, DF: Diário Oficial da União, 2008.
Dyce, K. M., Sack, W. O. & Wensing, C. J. G. (2019) Tratado de anatomia veterinária. (5a ed), Elsevier, 872.
Ettinger, S. J., Feldman, E., & Côté, E. (2023) Tratado de medicina interna veterinária – Doenças do cão e do gato. (8a ed), Guanabara Koogan, 11135.
Evans, H. E. & Lahunta, M. A. (2013) Anatomy of the Dog. (4a ed). Elsevier Saunders.
Fogle, B. (2009) The Encyclopedia of the Dog. DK Publishing,
Fossum, T. W. (2021) Cirurgia de pequenos animais. (5a ed.), Elsevier, 1584p.
French, N. P., Wall, R., & Morgan, K. L. (1994) Lambtail docking: a controlled field study of the effects of tail amputation on healt hand productivity. Veterinary Record, (134), 463-467. https://doi.org/10.1136/vr.134.18.463
Gross, T. L., & Carr, S. H. (1990) Amputation neuroma of docked tails in dogs. Veterinary Pathology, Thousand Oaks, 27(1), 61-62.
Hedlund, C. S. (2007) Surgery of the integumentary system. In: FOSSUM, T. W. (Ed.). Small Animal Surgery. (3a ed). (pp. 246-250) Mosby Elsevier.
Jericó, M. M., Andrade Neto, J. P. & Kogika, M. M. (2023) Tratado de medicina interna de cães e gatos. (2a ed). Guanabara Koogan, 11131p.
Jorge, M. A., Santos, I. F. C., Oliveira, J. V., Mendonça, M. L., Sartori, M., Moretti, M., Júnior, A. Z., & Zadra, V. F. (2023). Benign pilomatricoma in a Shih-Tzu dog. Acta Scientiae Veterinariae, 51. https://doi.org/10.22456/1679-9216.126521
Konig, H.E., & Liebich, H.G. (2021) Anatomia dos animais domésticos: texto e atlas colorido. (7a ed.), Grupo A.
Mattos, P. C. (2015). Tipos de revisão de literatura. Unesp, 1-9. Disponível em: https://www.fca.unesp.br/Home/Biblioteca/tipos-de-evisao-de-literatura.pdf
Mellor, D. J. (2018) Tail docking of canine puppies: Reassessment of the tail's role in communication, the acute pain caused by docking and interpretation of behavioural responses. Animals, (Basel), 8(6), 82. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani8060082
Morton, D. (1992) Docking of dogs: practical and ethical aspects.Veterinary Record, 131, 301-306. https://doi.org/10 .1136/vr.131.14.301.
Oliveira, A. L. A. (2022) Cirurgia em pequenos animais. Manole.
Pavletic, M. M. (2018) Atlas of Small Animal Wound Management and Reconstructive Surgery. (3a ed). Wiley-Blackwell.
Pereira A. S. et al. (2018). Metodologia da pesquisa científica. UFSM.
Prodanov, C. C. & Freitas, E. C. (2013). Metodologia do trabalho científico: Métodos e Técnicas da Pesquisa e do Trabalho Acadêmico. (2a ed.), Ed. Feevale.
Rother, E. T. (2007). Revisão sistemática x revisão narrativa. Acta paulista de enfermagem, 20(2). https://doi.org/10.1590/S0103-21002007000200001.
Royal College Of Veterinary Surgeons - RCVS (2000): The Guide to Professional Conduct. Disponível em: https://www.rcvs.org.uk/setting-standards/advice-and-guidance/code-of-professional-conduct-for-veterinary-surgeons/?&&type=rfst&set=true#cookie-widget
Sampaio, K. O., Cavalcanti, G. A. S. A., Oliveira, M. C. C. P., Coelho, M. C. O. C., Filho, R. S. S., & Sá, M. A. R. (2023). Retalho padrão axial ilíaco circunflexo profundo empregado após exérese de carcinoma em cão. Medicina Veterinária, 17(2). https://doi.org/10.26605/medvet-v17n2-5289
Shores, A., Brisson, B. A, Hoboken, J. W. & Sons (2017). Current Techniques in Canine and Feline Neurosurgery. John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Sillince, J. (2003). Tails wewin! AVA posts significant victorieson docking issue. Australian Veterinary Journal, 81, 446. https://ddd.uab.cat/pub/trerecpro/2012/103213/Treball_Deontologia_amb_annexos.pdf
Singh, B. (2019). Tratado de Anatomia Veterinária. Grupo GEN.
Steagall, P. V. M., Luna, S. P. L., Taylor, P. M., Humm, K., & Ferreira, T. H. (2009). Neurological, respiratory, behavioural and endocrine effects of tail docking in newbord dogs submitted to epidural anestesia. ARS veterinária, 25(2), 58-62. https://www.arsveterinaria.org.br/index.php/ars/article/viewFile/273/187
Wansbrough, R. K. (1996). Cosmetic tail docking of dogs. Australian Veterinary Journal, Brunswick, 74, (1), 59-63. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1751-0813.1996.tb13737.x
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2024 Gabriele Barros Mothé; Vera Lúcia Teixeira Ferraz; Ana Luiza Souza Dias; Gabriella da Silva Duarte; Julia Barbosa de Brito; Raphael Espínola David do Nascimento; Reika Sato Procopiak; Yasmin Xavier Lameira; Renata Vieira Cerqueira Lima; Aguinaldo Francisco Mendes Junior
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:
1) Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
2) Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.
3) Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work.
