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 : )

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

Happy Birthday Luca!! Which birthday is it?

F, good call on the tail issue. Hope his healing is fast and complete this time.

[F, Calla & Luca]

He'll be five.

[Lonnie & Libby Lu]

Oh my goodness F, I am so sorry you and Luca have gone through so much.  I am glad the surgery will help Luca to mend and relieve the pain he has been in.  At least the worst is over and he will be like new soon and tomorrow you can clebrate another wonderful year with your Luca:)

[Sheila & Finnley]

I'm sorry to hear about poor Luca's tail.

I guess you do what you have to do in a case like that.

I'm glad it wasn't something worse. Now the worst part is over, and he can heal up,

and get back to doodle business and romping with Cala ! Hugs to all of you

[Joanna, Zoe & Bender]

Oh poor Luca!  So glad you did the xrays and found this so he is more comfortable now :)  

I'm sure his tail will be beautiful when all the fur grows back.  

[Linda, Webber and Seda]

Happy Birthday, Luca. I bet he doesn't miss the end of that tail at all. Good job taking care of your sweet boy. That could not have been easy. Doodle Kisses from Webber and Seda.

[Ginny Nightingale]

You made the right decision for sure--just keep those end hairs looong and no one will know! he will feel so much better now...

[Sharon & Monty]

Oh NO!  So sorry this is still a healing issue for your beautiful dog.  I would venture to guess this will make healing and feeling better come sooner rather than later.  Hugs to you and Luca.  

[Ginny Nightingale]

PS--I was just thinking about how such a bad injury could have happened without you knowing--it must have been at the groomers', don't you think? Maybe they slammed a crate door on it or something?? Someone must know something..grrr...

[F, Calla & Luca]

They don't use crates but perhaps a door? I'll never know and we'll never go back.

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

I did wonder if it was going to heal and am saddened to know that this happened but happy that he is now truly on the mend and I'm sure he will look just fine very soon. I still can't believe this happened without you being informed as it must have been a painful episode whatever happened. I'm thinking very bad thoughts about that Groomer.  Happy Birthday to Luca for tomorrow, let the celebrations begin : )

[Charlotte and Bo]

Happy Birthday Luca!!  He will being feeling like himself in no time and will be the same good looking doodle he always was.  You shouldn't feel bad about doing the best you could for your dog.