VETS REPORT

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color="#000000"> <center>TAIL DOCKING ISSUE</center></font></td></tr> <tr><td><table border="0" cellpadding="0"><tr><td> <BR> <font face="verdana" color="#000000"> SHOULD TAIL DOCKING BE BANNED?<BR><BR> <input type="radio" name="rd" value="1">Yes<br> <input type="radio" name="rd" value="2">No<br> <input type="radio" name="rd" value="3">Don't Know<br> </font><br></td></tr></table></td></tr><tr><td align="center"> <input type="submit" value="Vote!" name="Submit"> <font face="verdana"><small> <a href="http://www.alxpoll.com/cgi-bin/poll.cgi?user=410984&q=view"><br>Current Results</a> </TD></TR><TR><td align="center"><font face="verdana"><small> <A HREF="http://www.alxpoll.com/aa2/?aa2txt">Free Web Polls</A> </small></font> </td></tr></table></form>   </B></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> </td> <td valign="top" height=370 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000" background="2bf705f3.jpg"> <div> <I><B><IMG SRC="3605a560.gif" border=0 width="90" height="86" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></I></div> <div> <I><B>VETS REPORT </B></I></div> <div> <B>Cosmetic Tail Docking Of Dogs Tails.</B></div> <div> <B>by Robert K Wansborough</B></div> <div> <B>Picasso Crescent, Old Toongabbie,</B></div> <div> <B>New South Wales 2146 </B></div> <bR> <div> <B>This article was published in the Australian Veterinary Journal Vol 74, No. 1, July 1996.  It has been reproduced by kind permission of the Editor of the above publication.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Tail docking is an old custom, which is entrenched in certain dog breeds.  This article aims to provide scientific information relevant to the cosmetic tail docking of dogs.  There have been no scientific studies or double blind trials conducted to compare the effects of tail docking in one sample of dogs with a similar sample of undocked dogs.   Similarly there have been no studies that measure the initial pain and the ongoing pathological pain inflicted on docked dogs.  Due to the phenomena of deafferentation (suppression of afferent, to go to the tail, nerve impulses) and phantom limb pain, </B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#3300FF" FACE="Arial" ><B>SCIENTIFIC REGULATORY BODIES WOULD NOT PERMIT SUCH INHUMANE RESEARCH.  </B></FONT><B>Even without this information form specific scientific research, our current knowledge is sufficient to show the canine tail is an anatomically and physiologically important organ which should not be docked simply because tradition dictates it.  Cosmetic tail docking cannot be justified medically or scientifically and recent advances in our knowledge about pain indicate that it should be regarded as an </B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#3300FF" FACE="Arial" ><B>INHUMANE ACT</B></FONT>.</div> <div>  </div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>Summary</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>The anatomy of the canine tail and  its relationship to the physiological functions of the tail are described and the effect of tail docking on these is discussed.  Current knowledge on the physiology and anatomy of pain is described for the neonatal (newborn) puppy.  Recent advances in knowledge about the pain and the changes in approach to pain management refute the premise that </B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#3300FF" FACE="Arial" ><B>'Puppies do not feel pain therefore tail docking is not Inhumane',</B></FONT> <B>and also the premise that</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#3300FF" FACE="Arial" ><B> 'the pain and effects of tail docking are insignificant.'  </B></FONT><B>Six criteria putting forward reasons for the</B> <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#3300FF" FACE="Arial" ><B>'necessity</B></FONT>' <B>to dock dogs are presented.  This article shows that these reasons advanced for tail docking do not satisfy the criteria and</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#3300FF" FACE="Arial" > <B>so docking dog's tails cannot be justified</B></FONT>.</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>Criteria To Test The Necessity To Remove Or Modify Any Part Of A Dog.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>The following questions have been proposed by Morton (1992) to test the necessity to modify or remove any part of a dog.</B></div> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f0ff003300.gif" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Is there evidence that leaving the dog intact predisposes them to harmful consequences?</B></div> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f0ff003300.gif" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Is there evidence that the interference is in the best interest of the dog and will be beneficial to the dog?</B></div> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f0ff003300.gif" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Would the harmful consequences or the benefit occur in a significant proportion of dogs and therefore justify the procedure on all dogs of a particular breed?</B></div> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f0ff003300.gif" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Does the proposed interference cause greater harm to the dog than the damage one is trying to prevent?</B></div> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f0ff003300.gif" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"> Is there another way with no or lesser adverse effects, that would achieve the same end?</B></div> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f0ff003300.gif" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Does the increase in </B><B>'value' </B><B>as a result of the interference justify the harm done to the dog?</B></div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>Anatomical Considerations</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>An understanding of the importance of the tail  and the conditions to which docking can predispose dogs to is gained by reviewing the anatomy and physiology (structure and function) of the tail and the pelvic region.  The canine tail usually consists of between 6 and 23 highly mobile vertebrae largely enclosed by a very versatile musculature making the various segments, especially the tip, capable of finely graded movements. Part of the musculature is formed from muscles associated with the rectum, the anus, and the pelvic diaphragm.  The tail is served by 4 - 7, paired coccygeal (back end of dogs spine) nerves.  On leaving the spinal cannel the branches of these nerves anastomose (join) to form the left and right dorsal and ventral coccygeal trunks which lie on their respective surfaces of the transverse processes of the vertebrae. </B></div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div>  </div> <div> <TABLE BORDER="5" CELLPADDING="5" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="517" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=CENTER HEIGHT= 263 ><NOBR><div> <B><IMG SRC="0eafa010.jpg" border=0 width="250" height="257" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=CENTER><NOBR><div> <B><IMG SRC="0ec04ff0.jpg" border=0 width="260" height="255" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 20 ><NOBR><div> <B>Structure of a basic vertebrae</B></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> <B>Articulation between vertebrae</B></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <bR> <div> <B>The following paragraphs describe in Veterinary terminology the anatomy of the tail further.  This can be difficult to digest in one go, but in layman's terms the author is describing the movement of the tail.  It can be appreciated that the tail is not just 'stuck on' and that the muscles that move it up and down and side to side have deep origins within the rectal area of the dog.  The tail muscles are continuous with the pelvic and rectal muscles.  We can already see that cutting through these muscles must be detrimental to rectal and vaginal function.</B></div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <A HREF="id32.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="_"><U><I><B><IMG SRC="3031e1c0.gif" border=0 width="30" height="28" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></I></U></A><A HREF="id32.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="_"><U><I><B>References</B></I></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><B>The dorsal muscles of the tail are direct continuations of the epiaxial musculature of the trunk.  The dorsal sacrococcygeal muscles are extensors, whilst the sacrococcygeus ventralis lateralis and medialis muscles act as flexors or depressors of the tail.  These muscles have many tendons that insert from the 5th  or 6th coccygeal vertebrae then onto the next vertebrae and so on to the end of the tail.  The coccygeus, levator ani, and the intertranversarius caudac muscles are lateral flexors of the tail.  The rectococcygeus muscle is composed of external fibers from each side of the rectum with the left and right portions fusing at the level of the 3rd coccygeal vertebrae then inserting on the 5th and 6th coccygeal vertebrae.  This attachment on the tail serves to support, anchor and stabilise the anal cannel and the rectum, preventing them from being pulled cranially (forwards) by a peristaltic wave.  By its contraction, the rectococcygeus muscle can move the anal cannel and rectum caudally (backwards) thus evacuating faecal materia</B>l</FONT> <B>(</B><B>Miller 1969</B><B>)</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >.</FONT></div> <bR> <div> <B>The pelvic diaphragm  is the vertical closure of the pelvic cavity formed by the coccygeal muscles.  The coccygeal muscle originates on the ischiatic spine, extends to the lateral surface of the tail and inserts on the 2nd to 5th coccygeal vertebrae.  The levator ani muscle (m coccygeus medialis) originates on the ilium pubis and pelvic symphysis, radiates upwards surrounding the genitalia and the rectum and ends on the 4th to 7th coccygeal vertebrae.  Besides helping to contain the contents of the pelvic cavity the levator ani muscle moves the tail cranially (forwards) and laterally (side to side), presses the tail against the anus and the external genitalia, compresses the rectum and causes the sharp angulation between 6th and 7th coccygeal vertebrae which is characteristic for defecation.  Only in carnivores does the levator muscle reach the vertebrae of the tail, thus the detrimental effect of tail docking on the role of this muscle will be more significant in the dog compared with other domestic species.</B></div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>Physiological Aspects</B></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>Locomotion</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>The tail is important as a means of counterbalance when the dog is carrying out complicated movements such as leaping, walking along narrow structures, or climbing.  Tail muscles are also important in stabilising the vertebral column and supporting the action of the extensor muscles of the back as well as those of the croup and buttocks.</B></div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>Defecation</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Normally the rectum, anus, and anal canal are devoid of faecal material with the walls in apposition (are adjacent so that they can come into contact).  During defecation the dog assumes a squatting position with elevation of the tail and subsequent relaxation of the coccygeus, the levator ani, and the rectococcygeus muscles.  This allows the migrating contractions in the colon to push the faeces distally into the rectum with defecation ensuing.  The movement of the tail during the act of defecation has a direct influence in evacuation the rectum and anal canal of the last part of the faecal bolus.  The coccygeus and levator ani muscles cross the rectum laterally  tending to compress the tube, while the rectococcygeus shortens the tube.  After defecation the muscles return to their normal position with concomitant obliteration of the empty lumen (  ) if the tail is removed from an immature puppy the muscles of the tail and pelvis may fail to develop to their full potential.  Removal of the tail in the mature dog may lead to atrophy and degeneration of these muscles, in addition, if these muscles lose their distal attachments there may be a lessening of the support and anchorage of the rectum and anus.</B>  <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#3300FF" FACE="Arial" ><B>An absence of adequate function of these muscles may result in rectal dilatation, rectal sacculation (  )  and faecal incontinence.</B></FONT></div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>Pelvic Diaphragm Integrity </B><FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <bR> <div> <B>Perineal hernia (a rupture in the muscle wall through which abdominal of pelvic organs can pass) involves a breaching of the caudal wall of the pelvic cavity with herniation of the rectum, the abdominal contents or the pelvic contents through an opening bordered by the anal sphincter medially ( ), the coccygeal muscle laterally and the internal obturator ventrolaterally (  ),  Any process resulting in fascial weakening, muscle atrophy, or muscle degeneration may predispose to this weakness in the pelvic diaphragm.  Often Perineal hernias occur secondary to medical conditions which cause tenesmus (straining) with resultant weakening of the pelvic diaphragm.</B>  <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#3300FF" FACE="Arial" ><B>Burrows and Ellison (1989) </B></FONT><B>recorded a predisposition to Perineal hernia in those brachycephalic breeds (  ), which traditionally have their tails docked, and suggested that inherent conformational deficiencies may contribute to the disease in these breeds.</B>   <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#3300FF" FACE="Arial" ><B>Canfield (1986)</B></FONT> <B>compared long-tailed and docked Corgis and found that the levator ani and the coccygeus muscles did not develop fully in the docked dogs.  A relationship with Perineal hernia potentially exists, but she considered that further research was required before a categorical statement could be made.</B></div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>Acquired Urinary Incontinence</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#3300FF" FACE="Arial" ><B>   </B></FONT></div> <bR> <div> <B>Urinary incontinence in bitches caused by urethral sphincter mechanism incompetence (SMI), is a multi factorial condition.  A recent study</B> <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#3300FF" FACE="Arial" ><B>Holt and Thrusfield (1993) </B></FONT><B>noted the increased risk of SMI developing in large breeds but it also conclude that bitches belonging to small breeds had a reduced risk and medium breeds had no increased risk.  Breeds identified in this study as having significantly increased risk of developing SMI were the</B> <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#3300FF" FACE="Arial" ><B>Old English Sheepdog, Rottweiler, Doberman Pinscher, Weimaraner and Irish Setter.</B></FONT> <B> A reduced risk was demonstrated in the Labrador retriever, and although the result was not statistically significant, a low risk was observed in the German Shepherd.  This agreed with the observations of</B> <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#3300FF" FACE="Arial" ><B>Arnold et Al (1989).</B></FONT></div> <bR> <div> <B>Holt and Thrusfield (1993) </B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><B>noted 2 consistent association between SMI and tail docking which they interpreted as an indication that docked breeds of whatever size are more likely to develop incontinence than undocked dogs of the same breed.  It is well recognised in women that the risk of developing genuine stress incontinence (GSI) is related to pelvic floor muscle damage during labour.  In the bitch the equivalent 'pelvic floor' muscles are the levator ani and coccygeus muscles both of which attach to the tail base, and it is possible that these muscles are atrophied and/or damaged in docked breeds reducing urethral resistance.  A similar relationship may exist between tail docking and submissive urinary incontinence in puppies.</B></FONT></div> <bR> <div> <B>Holt and Thrusfield (1993) </B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><B>conclude that their results provide some evidence to support the arguments against tail docking and that it would be interesting to determine if the predisposition to urinary incontinence in currently docked breeds, such as the Old English Sheepdog and Doberman Pinscher, would be reduced if they cease to be docked.</B></FONT></div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>Communication and Canine Behaviour</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>The position of the tail and the way it is moved can signal pleasure fear friendliness dominance, playfulness, defensiveness, inquisitiveness, aggression, nervousness and submissiveness.  Thus tail docking can affect the interaction of dogs with other animals and man.  Some behaviourists believe the absence of a tail may predispose a dog to show unwarranted aggression to other dogs and man, or that they may be the victim of attacks by other dogs due to their failure to communicate</B> <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#3300FF" FACE="Arial" ><B>(R J Holmes Personal Communication)</B></FONT>  <B>Dogs are playing an increasingly significant role as pets and companion animals.  Their role in the reduction of emotion and stress related disease in western society is well recognised, as is their important role in companion animal therapy with children, the handicapped and the elderly.</B>  <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#3300FF" FACE="Arial" ><B>Therefore good, clear communication with 'man's best friend' is of paramount importance and anything that may impair this communication should be avoided.  Tail docking is one such thing.</B></FONT></div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>Pain</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Recent advances in our knowledge of pain physiology and anatomy are relevant to the discussion of cosmetic tail docking.  Pain is a feeling, a complex summation of nociecptive input, emotion and state of arousal.  Physiological pain is normal, has short duration and can be protective, but pathological pain is abnormal, is often persistent and can be debilitating and counterproductive.  Pathological pain is the sensation perceived from the inflammation that accompanies tissue injury or the sensation perceived directly to the nervous system.  Clinically, pathological pain is characterised by one or more of the following:-</B></div> <div> <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#3300FF" FACE="Arial" ><B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f0ff003300.gif" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">The presence of spontaneous pain</B></FONT> - <B>pain that occurs in the absence of a demonstrable stimulus.</B></div> <div> <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#3300FF" FACE="Arial" ><B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f0ff003300.gif" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Widening of the painful area</B></FONT> - <B>'flare reaction'.</B></div> <div> <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#3300FF" FACE="Arial" ><B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f0ff003300.gif" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Hyperalgesia</B></FONT> - <B>where the response to a painful stimulus is exaggerated.</B></div> <div> <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#3300FF" FACE="Arial" ><B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f0ff003300.gif" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Allodynia</B></FONT> - <B>where a normally innocuous stimulus is painful.</B></div> <div> <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#3300FF" FACE="Arial" ><B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f0ff003300.gif" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Referred pain</B></FONT> - <B>where the pain form injured tissues spreads to intact tissues.</B></div> <div> <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#3300FF" FACE="Arial" ><B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f0ff003300.gif" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Sympathetic Dystrophy</B></FONT> - <B>a pathological interaction between the sensory and the sympathetic nervous systems.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Unlike physiological pain, pathological pain has no threshold.  The nervous system is a plastic, modifiable system with a propensity for adaptation and maladaptation and peripheral and central sensitisation are the mechanisms underlying the generation of pathological pain</B> <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#3300FF" FACE="Arial" ><B>(Dart 1994)</B></FONT></div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>Peripheral Sensitisation</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Nociceptors</B> <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#3300FF" FACE="Arial" ><B>(pain receptors) </B></FONT><B>are activated directly by mechanical and thermal stimuli and also by endogenous substances released from inflamed, traumatised and Ischaemic tissues</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#3300FF" FACE="Arial" > <B>(</B><B>has little or no blood supply).  </B></FONT><B>Serotonin, products of the arachidonic cascade, histamine, kinins and acetylcholine are all algogenic</B> <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#3300FF" FACE="Arial" ><B>(direct pain producing).  </B></FONT><B>Prostaglandins and nor-adrenalin may not be directly painful, but sensitise the nociceptors  and potentiate the effect of other algogenic substances.  Substance P is secreted from  the excited or sensitised nociceptors and induces vasodilation, increased vascular permeability, mast cell degranularion and production of unstored inflammatory substances..The formation of this 'sensitising soup' leads to sensitisation of adjacent nociceptors and so the vicious cycle of 'peripheral sensitisation' is set in motion.   Sensitised nociceptors can become spontaneously active causing depolarisation of 'dorsal' horn neurons, and thus peripheral sensitisation is one of the phenomena involved in the development of pathological pain.</B></div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>Central</B> <B>Sensitisation</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>At the spinal cord level the balance between the afferent stimuli reaching the dorsal horn and the degree of activity of inhibitory interneurons will determine the strength and frequency of the stimuli registering in the brain.  A cascade of intracellular events is initiated and as a result identical but repeated stimuli can evoke a larger and larger response because the potentials are summated.  The dorsal horn neurons become hyperexcitable this reaction is termed 'dorsal horn wind up'.  The hyperexcitability of the dorsal horn neurons increases the activity in preganglionic sympathetic neurons and as a result postganglionic sympathetic efferents release noradrenalin which sensitises primary efferent terminals.  These in turn initiated central sensitisation, which further increases sympathetic outflow and this increases efferent input.  So another vicious cycle is set in motion.  Pathological pain can be seen to be the result of peripheral and central sensitisation.</B></div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>Incorrect Myths About Pain</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Several myths about pain have been propagated for years and form the basis on which cosmetic tail docking has been justified and allowed to be perpetuated.</B></div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>Myth I - Animals Don't Feel Pain Like Humans</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>This is illogical.  Anatomically and physiologically mammals </B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#3300FF" FACE="Arial" ><B>(and possibly all vertebrates)</B></FONT> <B>have the same neural transmitters, receptors, pathways and higher brain centers.  Whilst it is true that animals may show different signs of pain, we cannot deny that they feel pain in the same way humans do</B> <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#3300FF" FACE="Arial" ><B>(Ileeman 1995)</B></FONT>.<B>  Because of the physiological similarity between mammals, it is valid to use animals, including dogs, as models for human medical research.  The converse applies in that man can be used as a model for advancing veterinary knowledge.  Similarity between the human and canine nervous systems means that we can assume that anything causing pain in man will cause a painful sensation of similar intensity in the dog.  The pain threshold has been determined to be approximately equal in humans and animals</B> <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#3300FF" FACE="Arial" ><B>(Ileeman 1995).</B></FONT></div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>Myth II - Lack of Myelination is an Index of Immaturity in the Neonatal (newborn pups) Nervous System and Therefore Neonates (pups in 1st week of life) are Not Capable of Pain Perception.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>We know this is no longer correct, in fact the contrary occurs.  Anatomical studies have shown that the density of cutaneous nociecptive nerve endings in the late foetus and newborn animal may equal or exceed that of adult skin</B> <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#3300FF" FACE="Arial" ><B>(Anand and Cart 1989)</B></FONT>.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Nociceptive impulses are conducted via unmyelinated and thinly myelinated fibers.  The slower conduction velocity in neonatal nerves resulting from incomplete myelination if offset by the shorter interneuronal and neuromuscular distances that the impulse has to travel.  It has been shown, using quantitative neuroanatomicla methods, that nerve tracts associated with nociception in the spinal cord and brain stem are completely myelinated up to the thalamus during gestation</B> <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#3300FF" FACE="Arial" ><B>(Anand and Cart 1989)</B></FONT></div> <bR> <div> <B>Further development of the pain pathways occurs during puppyhood when there is a high degree of 'brain plasticity'.  The development of descending inhibitory pain pathways in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord and the sensory brain stem nuclei also occurs during this period, therefore painful and other experiences during this period may determine the final architecture of the adult pain system.</B></div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>The Pain of Tail Docking</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Tail docking involves the removal of all or part of the tail using cutting or crushing instruments.  Muscles, tendons, 4 to 7 pairs of nerves and sometimes bone or cartilage are severed.  The initial pain from the direct injury to the nervous system would be intense and at a level that would not be permitted to be inflicted on humans.  The subsequent tissue injury and inflammation, especially if the tail is left to heal as an open would will produce the algogenic substances</B> <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#3300FF" FACE="Arial" ><B>(Pain killing)</B></FONT>, <B>the 'sensitising soup' and the 'dorsal horn wind up' required for peripheral and central sensitisation and the development of ongoing pathological pain.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Puppies are usually subjected to this pain and trauma at 2 to 5 days of age when the level of pain would be much greater than an adult would experience because the efferent stimuli reaching the dorsal horn from a greater density of sensitised cutaneous nociceptors will exceed that of the adult and the strength and frequency of painful stimuli reaching the brain will be greater because inhibitory pain pathways will not be developed.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>The whimpering and the 'escape response' </B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#3300FF" FACE="Arial" ><B>(continual movements)</B></FONT> <B>exhibited by most puppies following tail docking, are evidence that they are feeling substantial pain.  Animals tend to be more stoic than humans due to an inherent preservation instinct.  Because some puppies do not show signs of intense suffering it does not mean that the pain inflicted on them has not registered in their central nervous system.  Cosmetic tail docking is most often performed without any anesthesia or analgesia and only manual restraint is used</B>.</div> <bR> <div> <B>General anesthesia, if used, produces unconsciousness and muscle relaxation but does not affect the sensory nerves and will not necessarily prevent 'dorsal horn wind up'  or the development of pathological pain.  Movement of the patient may be controlled, but sensory stimuli will still register in the higher centers of the central nervous system.  On recovery from anesthesia peripheral and central sensitisation, the mechanisms underlying the generation of pathological pain will still be present.  General anaethiseia in very young animals entails a high degree of risk.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Local anesthesia, because of the practical difficulties of injecting into such a small area and the potential for systemic toxicosis, also has a high risk.  The maximum dose of lignocanien in the dog is 5 mg/kg making use of the 2% (20 mg/ml) solution unrealistic in the average puppy up to a week of age.  Use of local anaesthetics to which adrenaline has been added could increase the risk of cardiovascular and CNS problems occurring, although some proponents of tail docking recommend the use to these solutions to prolong analgesic and to help control hemorrhage</B> <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#3300FF" FACE="Arial" ><B>( R A Zammit in a submission prepared for he New South Wales Canine Council).</B></FONT></div> <bR> <div> <B>Understanding the phenomena of peripheral and central sensitisation and their role in the generation of pathological pain, has changed the approach to pain management.  The emphasis is now on preventing pain and treating pain before it occurs.  About 90% of human amputees suffer pathological pain in the form of phantom limb pain.  Docked dogs similarly may suffer phantom pain but, if their inherent stoicism masks the symptoms, this may be misdiagnosed or go undiagnosed.  The currently recommended anaesthetic procedure for a human undergoing surgery where major peripheral nerves are to be severed, would involve epidural anaesthesia for 48hrs before surgery and 24hrs after surgery.  Local anaesthesia around the surgical site at the time of surgery and for 24hrs after surgery.</B></div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>Other Potential Sequelae From Tail Docking</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Other sequelae that may result from tail docking are :-</B></div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f0ff003300.gif" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Haemorrhage or Ischaemia (excessive bleeding/little blood supply)</B></div> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f0ff003300.gif" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Infection, Gangrene, Toxaemia/Septicemia (Toxins in blood and Blood poisoning)</B></div> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f0ff003300.gif" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Meningitis</B></div> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f0ff003300.gif" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Hypoglycaemia or Hyperglycaemia (Low blood sugars/ high blood sugars)</B></div> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f0ff003300.gif" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Amputation neuroma formation(formation of a tumor or growth largely made up of nerve cells of nerve fibers).</B></div> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f0ff003300.gif" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Caudal adhesions with Neurodermatitis (A dermatistis of the scar tissue resulting from the trauma of docking the tail:Neurodermatitis usually caused by self trauma.)</B></div> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f0ff003300.gif" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Deafferentation, causing loss of sensory perception from the tail (Nerves don't work).</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Many of these can potentially produce a state of shock which may prove fatal to the neonatal puppy.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Some Reasons For Tail Docking Prior to the 19th Century</B></div> <div> <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#3300FF" FACE="Arial" ><B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f0ff003300.gif" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">To Produce Bobtail Puppies</B></FONT> - <B>Lamarcks theory of acquired characteristics was still widely believed and people thought the new born puppies would look like their parents.</B></div> <div> <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#3300FF" FACE="Arial" ><B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f0ff003300.gif" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">To Prevent Rabies</B></FONT> - <B>It was thought that docked dogs were less likely to develop Rabies.</B></div> <div> <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#3300FF" FACE="Arial" ><B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f0ff003300.gif" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">To Avoid Tax</B></FONT> - <B>Docked dogs did not attract tax.</B></div> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f0ff003300.gif" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">To Strengthen the back and increase speed.</B></div> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f0ff003300.gif" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">To Prevent being bitten when Ratting or Fighting.</B></div> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f0ff003300.gif" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">To make better 'Sport' or Bear Baiting and dog Fighting</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>These reasons from which the custom of tail docking evolved are no longer valid.</B></div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>Reasons Given to Justify Tail Docking Today</B></div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b70118ff003300.gif" HEIGHT="19" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Prevention of injury in hunting and working dogs.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Most dogs in the breeds that are generally docked are kept as pets and companion animals and are never used for hunting or working.  The most popular breeds used in the field or paddock are</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#3300FF" FACE="Arial" > <B>Labradors, Kelpies, Border Collies and Cattle Dogs,</B></FONT> <B>none of which are required to have their tails docked.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f0ff003300.gif" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Prevention of injury in short coated dogs especially those with exuberant and ebullient temperaments.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>This is inconsistent because not all breeds in this category are required to be docked, for example the </B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#3300FF" FACE="Arial" ><B>Dalmatian and the Labrador.  </B></FONT><B>The boxer is often cited as a dog requiring docking for this reason, but some professional dog trainers note a difference in the behaviour of this and other traditionally docked breeds when they are left undocked and 'urge and encourage all breeders to forget about what has happened in the past and now change to keep their dogs' "Tails On" </B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#3300FF" FACE="Arial" ><B>(Tucker 1994).</B></FONT></div> <bR> <div> <B>A survey in Edinburgh by</B> <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#3300FF" FACE="Arial" ><B>Darke et al (1995) </B></FONT><B>over a 7 year period showed that there was insufficient evidence of statistical significance, to suggest that there is a positive association between tail injuries and an undocked tail and that tail docking could not be recommended as a measure to prevent tail injuries in any dog population similar to the predominantly urban population surveyed.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Of the first 1000 consultations at the North West Animal Emergency Clinic in  Sydney none involved tail injury cases.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Between December 1991 and September 1992 there were 2350 consultations only 3 of which involved tail injuries.  All 3 cases were related to tail docking, the first case involved 12 three day old Rottweiler pups which were still hemorrhaging  6 hours after being docked and required suturing.  The other 2 cases involved single pups 1 of which was bleeding and the other had become infected</B> <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#3300FF" FACE="Arial" ><B>(From records of the North West Animal Emergency Center, Baulkharn Hills, NSW).</B></FONT></div> <bR> <div> <B>Not all tail injuries require amputation, so tail docking may be routinely performed on 100% of puppies of certain breeds as a measure to prevent injuries that would only require a bandage, some antiseptic or simply natural healing.</B></div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b70118ff003300.gif" HEIGHT="19" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Hygiene.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Dogs such as the Old English Sheepdog, Poodle and silky terrier would foul themselves and the average pet owner would not have the time, patience or skill to carry out proper coat care.  </B></div> <bR> <div> <B>This is inconsistent because of the breeds with the same potential problem</B> <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#3300FF" FACE="Arial" ><B>(</B><B>for example the Bearded Collie, Pekingese, Maltese terrier and Afghan)</B></FONT> <B>are not required to be docked.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Regular clipping of long-haired areas and 'feathers' is far less invasive and painful than tail docking and has far fewer adverse effects.  Poor breed selection, lack of education in dog husbandry or irresponsible pet ownership should not be justification for tail docking.</B></div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>Tradition or Custom? </B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Submitting dogs to a procedure known to be painful and which may have harmful consequences, just to satisfy a centuries old custom, cannot be justified in a human society.</B></div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>Conclusion</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Cosmetic tail docking cannot be justified on scientific or medical grounds.  Unless pecuniary or traditional reasons are to take priority over the welfare o the animal, then the criteria to justify removal of a dogs tail are not satisfied.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>The tail is not merely an inconsequential appendage.  It is an anatomically and physiologically sign significant structure which has many biological functions that should not be underestimated.  Tail docking can predispose the dog to detrimental consequences including intense, initial pain and continuing pain related, neurological problems.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Tail amputation should only be performed on those dogs whose tail or associated structures have been injured or where there is occult pathology of this appendage.  If tail amputation is indicated as therapeutic measure, appropriate anaesthetic and surgical techniques should be employed.  The neonate is anatomically and physiologically able to and in fact does feel pain.  Therefore Veterinarians who wish to be seen as caring professionals and as the guardians of animal welfare must stop cosmetic tail docking and actively oppose anyone else continuing the painful practice.</B></div> <bR> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>