Dr. Conor Brady explains stud tail, a condition where glands one-third down a dog's tail become overactive from testosterone, causing blocked glands, swelling, and hair loss. Castration has been the traditional treatment because it removes the hormonal trigger.
What is stud tail? There is a small glandular region about a third of the way down a dog's tail, which is driven usually sort of the testes and the release of testosterone, etc. That glandular region, especially in older dogs, can become hyperactive. So they almost get blocked glands in that swelling a third of the way down the tail. They usually lose hair. In that area, so we refer to it as stud tail. Often can get infected, so it becomes a bit of an issue. The classic treatment conventionally for it was to castrate them. That stopped the hormonal drive that was causing the problem with the hyperplasia of the glands in that area of the
