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 : )

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

Sophie agrees with Fudge. It's not the size of the tail that matters, it's how you wag it!

[F, Calla & Luca]

Indeed it did: )

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

Happy Birthday Luca! Sorry to hear about your tail buddy,  but I bet you look just as handsome as ever and at least it won't get in the way as much when you are playing in the yard and wagging your tail in the house. We hope it heals really fast.

Love, Sophie and Winston :)

[Christine & Shelby]

Oh my.... I,'m sure that was a tough decision, but you did the best thing for Luca. So glad the surgery has provided him some relief from the pain. I'm sure in no time that tail (while shorter) will be all fluffy and doodley again..... Sending healing thoughts for a quick recovery for Luca!!!

[F, Calla & Luca]

Thank you everyone for your kind and encouraging responses. I am trying to deal with this in my own way which is to use some humor. Not everyone has a midi cropped tail and this may start a trend. Or tail extensions may become the new fashion accessory. All that matters is that I love Luca and that he is comfortable. Why he didn't even mind the shocking pink bandage they gave him. But today we got a nice royal blue : )

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Oh, poor Luca. I am so sorry, F. I am glad that there was a relatively simple and permanent cure.
Hey, Luca. Start the PARTY>>>>>

[Adina P]

I'm so sorry.  What an odd injury for little Luca.  I'm glad he'll be totally okay though.

[Dee & Chloe]

I am so sorry that you had to go through this and hope you are feeling well real soon.

Have a  very happy and special birthday!!!!

[Judy, Meg & Polly Wolly Doodle]

Hope Luca heals quickly.  Bet he will be rocking the new tail style in no time.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Happy 5th Birthday to you Luca!
My wish for you is no more pain and nubby wags- oh and lots of treats

[Sue & Lily Grace]

I am hoping that Luca is feeling better now. I am sure he will be on the mend now and you did exactly the right thing. We hope he has a wonderful birthday today and all good Doodle things will be his today. Happy Hapoy Birthday, Luca.

[David]

My puppy has a broken tail at the end - it was like that when we got him at 8 weeks old, we didn't notice it and our pup didn't seem in pain, quite the opposite, happy and bold. Don't they just set and then the dog carries on?  It doesn't bother my puppy (he's now 10 months old) one bit - it feels weird if you feel down to the end of his tail, I think it must have been caught in a crate door, or maybe he was born with it, the breeder never mentioned it to us, even if she knew it had it.