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.

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

Sending healing thoughts Luca. Lave that bandage alone so you can have a nice straight tail again soon.

[F, Calla & Luca]

We may end up with a slight kink, okay by me : )

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

OMG Poor Guy! I'm sorry to hear this about Luca. I really hope this heals quickly and he is all better soon. Give him a kiss from me!

[Maryann,Roo and Tigger]

OMD is right - love your wrap!  Happened at the groomer's.  If it was chaotic and he did not go on and on about she may not have even remembered.  So glad to hear that all will be well.  Dogs are so funny aren't they?

[F, Calla & Luca]

Thanks everyone for your concern and good wishes.

[Pat and Traveler]

Oh, no!  Poor Luca!  What a strange thing to have happened.  I wouldn't be going back to that groomer either--sounds like that's the only place it could have happened, and he must have howled and cried.  So glad he's feeling so much better. 

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

I was telling John about the tale of Luca's tail and he immediately said he thought it got slammed in a door. Makes sense, but if the groomer isn't talking, I guess you will never know for sure. I am so glad he is on the mend and the tail is improving.

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

I would guess the door F. If another dog grabbed his tail surely a tussle would have ensued. It bothers me when someone doesn't know what happened while he was in their charge. Same thing with Daisy being bitten at daycare in the middle of her back, no one saw or heard anything, and no one knew there was an injury. My question to them and your groomers place is WHY NOT?

I am sorry for poor Luca (and you) but I have to say you did a good job making him a Pointer tail! :0) He does look like he is doing perfectly fine.

[Nancie & Gracie Doodle]

Oh poor Luca.  Don't you wish they could talk and tell you what really happened?  So, the tail was actually broken??  But there was also visible skin injury?  Poor baby...I am sure he will be as good as new in a few weeks.  The wrap from the vet looks like he has a missile coming out his tail!!!  lol  Hugs to Luca :)

[Linda, Webber and Seda]

I am so sorry to hear about Lucas's beautiful tail being broken. It is a great thing that it is healing without problems and that loosing part of the tail is off the table. I'm so glad he let you know he was in pain so you could help him. It could have been a bad injury otherwise. Quick healing, Luca.

[Christine & Camus]

I had no idea the tail bones could break so easily.  Like Adina, I closed the car door on Camus' tail, luckily he was okay, but boy did he cry.  I felt so bad.  I hope Luca heals quickly.

[Bonnie and Kona]

OMD! Poor Luca! I am so glad that you took him in and got to the bottom of his discomfort. It sounds just awful. Thank goodness you are seeing improvement. Give the sweet boy extra loves from us.