## Overview Asymmetric tail carriage or inability to move the tail normally can indicate unilateral nerve damage, sacral fracture, nerve-root compression, or localized muscle injury. Deviation to one side at rest or asymmetric swishing warrants neurologic evaluation. ## Causes Nerve damage, fracture, or muscle injury. ## Diagnosis Neurologic examination of tail tone and movement, plus imaging if trauma is suspected. ## Treatment Directed at the underlying cause. ## Recovery and Prognosis Depends on the lesion. Mild muscle injuries improve. Nerve damage may be permanent. ## Prevention Trauma avoidance.
tail deviates to one side at rest; asymmetric tail swishing; may indicate sacral fracture, nerve-root compression, or muscle damage
## Overview Asymmetric tail carriage or inability to move the tail normally can indicate unilateral nerve damage, sacral fracture, nerve-root compression, or localized muscle injury. Deviation to one side at rest or asymmetric swishing warrants neurologic evaluation. ## Causes Nerve damage, fracture, or muscle injury. ## Diagnosis Neurologic examination of tail tone and movement, plus imaging if trauma is suspected. ## Treatment Directed at the underlying cause. ## Recovery and Prognosis Depends on the lesion. Mild muscle injuries improve. Nerve damage may be permanent. ## Prevention Trauma avoidance.
tail deviates to one side at rest; asymmetric tail swishing; may indicate sacral fracture, nerve-root compression, or muscle damage