The Tale of Luca’s Tail

[F, Calla & Luca]

On Wednesday evening, while just lying on the bed with me Luca yelped once, and sat up looking frightened. He slept through the night but he seemed somewhat restless and clingy. He kept lying practically on top of me. By Thursday I could see he was walking in an abnormal manner with his tail low and almost tucked under him. I checked him over and when I ran my hand down his tail he jumped when I got near the last third. I hoped it was a sprain. He was pretty subdued and not himself. He did urinate and defecate. But then he did not eat his dinner, having skipped breakfast which is not unusual for him. I got him to eat some chicken breast and some kibble by 1 AM. I was now worried his tail was seriously injured, perhaps broken.

So first thing Friday we went to the vet. She told me people often think tails are broken but they rarely are. And she wondered if he had “cold tail”. But although the doodles went to the groomer Wednesday it was only for their nails. As the vet clipped away the hair on his tail, we could see the skin was raw and it looked awful. She thought Luca may have been chewing on his tail but he has never done this. Then she got a little farther up and we could see the break. OMD.  So the tail was cleaned up and some silvadene cream was applied and he was bandaged. We got anti-inflammatory and antibiotics pills too. And that alone seemed to give him some relief because by the evening, when my son who is one of Luca’s favorite people arrived, he was back to normal, having already eaten a huge bowl of kibble.

The mystery is how this happened. It certainly didn’t happen when I was there since Luca carries on if anything happens, even if it’s just that his ball is stuck where he can’t get it. That leaves the groomer’s, which is a zoo.  I left the dogs for less than an hour. Could his tail gotten caught in a door or something? Could a dog have grabbed him and he struggled to get free? There were a couple of big dogs there. I called the groomer and she said nothing happened. But the doodles won’t be going back. Could it have happened when he was in the yard? I heard nothing and he showed no signs when I let him in any time.

I waited to post until today since there was a possibility that if things looked bad that Luca would have to have the end of his tail removed. But today I redid his bandages. When I went to remove them it was very difficult  : ) I had put packing tape over them to keep him and the weather out. Luca had only tried halfheartedly to remove them himself. I was anxious not to hurt him but not a whimper was heard. It’s hard to lie on a dog and remove bandages, and put new bandages on. The tail is still very red but does not look necrotic or infected. The area of the break is not really swollen anymore. So Luca will be bandaged a while and he will look like a rat tailed boy for some time. It could have been worse. At least now Luca is holding his tail high. I prefer my wrap that blends with the rest of him.

[Lynda Kamrath]

Poor baby.  I have heard of that happening, but it is a little unusual.  Maybe he got his tail smashed in the door of the cage at the groomers.  Of course they would not admit that.  Luckily you discovered it before he got into more trouble.  Looks like he is happy so it must not be bothering him too much.  Take care!

[F, Calla & Luca]

There are no cages at the groomer's so I was thinking a door or even possibly one of the large dogs. The groomer is a really good person but it's too chaotic there.

[Jennifer and Jack]

OMGosh.. Poor baby... Just as I am getting ready to bring Jack to be groomed tomorrow.. I am always so worried about everything with him...

I don't think you will know for sure but if I was a betting women, I would say something happen at the groomers.. How scary for you to have to even consider having part of his tail removed, Thank God all is well and he has you for his mom.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Thanks.

[F, Calla & Luca]

I had been doing it myself until I took Calla in this summer. Then I took them both. One time I had a mobile groomer come to groom Calla. It took her 2 hours to bathe her, cost me about $80 dollars. The gal came to give me a progress report and I told her to forget the rest, Calla had been through enough. So back to the drawing board.

[Christine & Shelby]

Poor Luca... I'm glad you got him checked out and that it looks like he'll heal nicely. I agree... your wrap job looks much better. Sending lots of love for a quick recovery :)

[F, Calla & Luca]

Thanks.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

OMD....this poor guy.  How long does something like this usually take to fully heal....do you think it's painful if he moves his tail?

[F, Calla & Luca]

The vet said three weeks but I think to fully heal could take 6 weeks like most human fractures. The good news is that it's not weight bearing. Luca seems to be in no pain now. He's playing and eating. I think the bandage keeps the area supported and stablized. 

[Pam & Trixie]

Poor Luca,  I am glad to hear it seems to be healing up ok.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

OMD, poor Luca! I'm so glad he didn't have to have part of the tail amputated! And what a scare for you!

I think the decision not to return to that groomer is a wise one.

I hope his tail mends quickly and he is soon feeling fine. Hugs to you both!

[Oliver & Elizabeth]

Oh no, best wishes for a speedy recovery!

A few years ago this happened to my parent's cat and her recovery was very quick! The incident with the cat occurred because the cat was trying to run out the front door as my dad was closing it and the door shut on the very end of her tail (he said that she didn't even meow when the accident actually occurred). I would assume something similar probably happened with his tail getting caught in a door at the groomers and they didn't realize it due to the chaos.