Save the tail. Work on the hydration first.

If he is kept in a crate and is a hard tail wager when excited he will bust the crap out of it if he is the least bit dehydrated. If he is kept in a crate and is excited when you get home you have to move him to the top of the list when you get there or he will beat the shit out of his tail wagging with excitement.

I have seen it with a lot of mills where the walls are high enough for the tails to wail on while running.

Whatever you feed him add water. Make or buy some sort of broth (chicken or beef). Pour it is his bowl and let him drink it.

I would not cut his tail unless it was an absolute medical necessity.

EWO