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.

[Amy, Cubbie & Ollie]

Poor Luca.  I kinda liked that first picture though.  I looks like he had a green rocketship on his tail. 

[Sue & Lily Grace]

F, I am so sorry for both you and Luca. Poor boy. You have told me something I did not know and one more thing to worry about. Lily Grace is my first dog that does not have a docked tail and I have stepped on it more times than I want to admit. Hugs for you and lots of good wishes for Luca to heal quickly.

[Suzanne & Jack]

I had a friend with a Great Dane that broke the tip of her tail from wagging it so hard against the wall.  Poor Luca, hope he's feeling better soon.

[Deanna & Desi & Cori]

Poor Luca.  Hopefully, he heals quickly so neither of you has to go through the wrapping procedure too often!!!!

[F, Calla & Luca]

Just did it again. Will it last? He is so good while I'm doing it.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I like to think that they know when we are trying to help them. Luca is a smart boy. :)

[Camilla and Darwin]

OMD, a broken tail??? Poor Luca. Wishing him a speedy recovery!

[F, Calla & Luca]

Thanks all. I thought it was something to be aware of : (

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

Wow, this is unbelievable!  So sorry! Poor guy and look how brave he is! Yes, your wrap is definitely an improvement-what were they thinking?  I vote for the groomer too. I'm sure he would have run to mom if it had happened at home and  you would have heard some screaming!  I'm glad to see he is still interested in his ball-a very good sign!  Our prayers for a complete and speedy healing.

[Carol and Banjo]

Awww Luca....I'm sorry to hear about your broken tail, but happy to know you're being so well cared for.    I'm very "tail ignorant"....what is the tail made of?  Cartilage?      I hope Luca heals quickly and fully.     F.,  I can only imagine how difficult it must have been to try and tend to his bandages....kudos to you!

[Jill, Woody & Maxi]

Poor guy! So sorry to hear about this..wishing him a very speedy recovery!  I am pretty sure the bones in the tail are similar to our own coccyx bones (our "tailbone")..very tiny bones..vertebrae, bones of the spine!

[F, Calla & Luca]

Right.