Luca's Tail

[F, Calla & Luca]

I am sorry to have more sad news for DK but at least Luca is OK now. As I wrote several weeks ago Luca’s tail was broken. Although I don’t know it for a fact, I think it happened at the groomer’s although she denied anything happened. The vet saw him and when she shaved part of his tail there were also areas where the skin was wounded. At any rate he was bandaged, had antibiotics and this went on. Luca managed to pull off the bandages on several occasions and the end of his tail hung sadly. But I did not like the way things looked and one open area of his skin did not heal. He seemed fine except for an occasional yelp when he moved certain ways or something.

I went to the vet last Friday and she too was concerned. We agreed he should have x-rays under anesthesia and then a decision on what to do would be made. On Monday we found out he actually had three fractured vertebrae in his tail and two fractures were displaced. The end of his tail was still viable but the wound was not healing. I had to decide whether to continue what we were doing but we had done that for over 3 weeks and there was no reason to believe we would be more successful. The vet said tail splints are not good options for dogs and the only other choice would have been to have plates inserted in his vertebrae and she did not recommend this. So with difficulty, I decided to let the vet go ahead with the amputation of the end of Luca’s beautiful tail. She removed seven vertebrae but some were tiny.  He has been a trooper and I think he is more comfortable than he has been.

He went in for a dressing change today. I saw the x-rays for myself and I realize that there really was no way this would have ever healed without major surgical intervention if then. I am sorry I did not insist on x-rays sooner. Once his hair grows back I think he will look fine. Tomorrow is Luca's birthday and we will celebrate that he will soon be well.

UPDATE 3/21/13

After about 10 days Luca had his sutures removed today. I took off his bandages Monday. He is getting some fuzz on the shaved part of  his tail. He had two areas where I think he had a reaction to the strips of tape they use under the vet wrap but they have scabbed over. He is now back to normal dog things without bandages and tail "raincoats" in bad weather. He finished his antibiotics today. The first go round I gave him yogurt but I don't think it mad a a bit of difference. This last 10 days I did not give him anything and his poop was somewhat soft for him but no problem. Luca and I thank everyone for their support and good wishes : )

[Kristin and Sophie]

Ahhhh, poor Luca.  I hope he feels much better soon.  I have never heard of such an injury and am sorry that Luca had to go through this experience.  Happy Almost Birthday dear Luca.

[Lori, Quincy & Frankie]

Good news for Luca!  Hope his belated birthday present is a tail that wags happy!

[Cheryl and Finnegan]

So glad to hear that things are progressing well and that Luca is healing! It must be a relief to be done with the raincoats. Hugs To Luca.

[Cathy, Fozzie & Shaggy]

Glad to hear he's on the mend!

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

So happy to hear the good word on Luca. It will be a short time and this Tale of the Tail will be but a distant memory. YAY!

[Donna K & Quincy]

So happy to hear that Luca is on the mend and that the tail saga is behind him. :>) 

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

Luca, so happy the healing is going well and you are not feeling any effects from the medicine. You have a great mommy to help nurse you back to normal.

[BG and Gavin]

You are a trooper Luca.  Continued good healing.

[Linda, Webber and Seda]

Good job, Luca.  Glad all is well with your new look :-)

[F, Calla & Luca]

Thanks all.

[Linda, Charlie Brown and Beau]

I've been away from DK for a while, but just saw your update post on Luca's tail.  I am sorry that happened. If in fact it happened at the groomer, I wish she would have admitted it not only for your sake but also for her's.  I wonder how someone lives with that!. Yikes!  Luca is such a handsome dood - tail or no tail.

[Traci -Bexter & Maggie]

Poor Luca!  GET ALL THE WAY BETTER SOON!  It sounds like he is on the mend.