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To begin with, stud tail in dogs also called supracaudal gland hyperplasia, or tail gland infection is not a very common condition.
Secondly, this condition is believed to be common in the unneutered male dog. However, intact males can also suffer it. It is not a serious condition if it is not infected. The bestpethomeremedies.com notes that “despite the name ‘’stud’ tail, referring to male dogs, female dogs may also occasionally prone to inflammation and infection of this gland.”
Unfortunately, it very common for stud tails to get infected and result in symptoms of varying severity. Wagwalking.com warns that “without treatment, the infection can spread into the deeper layers of the skin where it may result in septicemia.”
Supracaudal gland (violet gland) is a modified sebaceous gland which is located on the top of the tails right above the dog’s 9th caudal vertebrae. Hoarse hairs around this area show the presence of this gland.
For some of these canine critters, this gland can be more active than in others. This can occasionally result in innumerable problems.
Tail gland hyperplasia in dogs has symptoms that do vary depending on the age, breed and the levels of androgen hormones released. Therefore, here are the common symptoms you may notice:
- Irritation, redness and foul smell around the tail especially when an infection is involved
- Bald spot on dog tail that may be greasy
- Oily dark spots on tail
- Swollen tail base
- Matted hair at the base of the tail
Sometimes, there may be no inflammation, redness or even lousy smell unless in the case of supracaudal gland hyperplasia infections. The secondary infection, in this case, would emerge with some symptoms that may be mild or severe.
One of the following organism may cause these secondary infections.
Causes of the stud in dogs
Stud tail gland hyperplasia occurs when the androgen levels upsurge over a prolonged period.
Secondly, this condition can occur following the distress due to external agitators such as fleas. When the fleas such and feed on the blood, the area around the violet glands would swell and probably attract infection. This is what causes stud tails in neutered or spayed pooches.
There is little literature about the causes of supracaudal gland hyperplasia female dog. However, the following seems to be the common cause of this skin condition.
- canine fleas or the parasites that block the modified sebaceous glands
- Overactive androgen levels
As you have noticed, this condition has several causes. It can also even involve hygiene, diet, medications and other health conditions. Therefore It is recommended that when you notice the above symptoms, then see a vet treatment and advice. Don’t wait for the situation to worsen.
During the diagnosis, the veterinarian might need to understand the health history of your pet and diet. He/she may want to know if you have given him or her any medication.
Again, a physical evaluation is also another crucial aspect of the diagnosis. The examination will include a detailed assessment of the coat and the skin.
The vet may also perform a urinalysis, blood analysis, fecal assessment, cytological analysis, and complete blood counts. A biopsy may also be essential to check the presence of various infections on your canine friend’s skin.
Other tests may also include ultrasounds, x-rays, and CT scans. The primary importance of various analyses is to rule out other disorders.
Treatment of Stud Tails in Dogs
The cure for the stud dog will depend on the severity of the condition. If your pooch’s tail is not infected, then you may only need some topical ointments and antibacterial shampoos that are available over the counter.
However, if your puppy is diagnosed with an infection, the vet may recommend antibacterial injections among other advanced treatments.
There is a myriad of medicine that can be administered to get rid of the gland hyperplasia bacterial infections. Examples of such medications include doxycycline, tetracycline, cephalexin, amoxicillin, or ciprofloxacin.
Any of these medications can be given orally or through injection. The period of application of these medications will depend on the seriousness of the situation, i.e., they can be applied for a few days or weeks.
Another essential medication is corticosteroids. This should be given through injection and is very useful in treating any inflammation and itching that may surface due to infections.
Stud tail shampoos
Another essential treatment is the application of shampoos. There are several effective antibacterial shampoos available over the counter.
Other types of shampoos include ant seborrheic shampoo which contains benzoyl peroxide or chlorhexidine. The shampoos should be applied to the affected areas at least twice a day. Brands such as Davis Benzoyl Peroxide Medicated Dog & Cat Shampoo or Davis Degrease Pet Shampoo will give you the required results.
Conversely, you should be very careful regarding the shampoo you want to buy. Some of the shampoos that have flooded the market may plunge worsen the condition of your pet.
Surgical procedures are recommended especially in case of recurrent infections. However, this should only be done in severe cases.
As we have already mentioned, stud tails are not always a serious problem. However, it can be worsened if it involves secondary infections. Furthermore, delayed treatments or if left untreated, the secondary infections could be severe and deep into the skin.
Any good pet owner should take good care of the pet during the recovery stage. In some cases, the recovery may take longer, but still, proper care is mandatory. Recovery will be excellent if the right treatment is administered.
Lastly, some cases require urgent treatment, i.e., if the infection spreads to the blood. If this is not attended to urgently, the pooch may die.
Sometimes neutering pooches may also help to reduce supracaudal gland hyperplasia in intact males. Neutering would reduce the amount of hormone testosterone that seems to play an essential role in the development of this condition.
A mild case may be managed using some home remedies. However, stop the application of such treatments if you don’t see any improvement. After that, seek advice from your pet vet.