Kona's tail -- CUT SHORT

[Bonnie and Kona]

Several weeks ago I noticed Kona had a sore on his tail. It got to be the size of an almond with a black dot in the center. I took him to the vet. A new vet I had never seen before put him on a course of antibiotics. When the 10 day course finished the wound looked the same.

My regular vet saw him this time and told me Kona had a tumor and since it didn't respond to the antibiotics he would remove it. That was a week ago yesterday. He put him on another course of antibiotics. On Friday I took him in to have his bandage changed. It was awful. The vet tech kept calling him a baby and was hurting him when he removed the bandage. The tech told me he would have to go without a bandage now. I was concerned that would not work by the look of the wound. When the regular vet came in he immediately re-bandaged Kona's tail and told me to come back in a week to have the bandage changed. Last night I did not like the look of the bandage because it appeared to be leaking fluid. I took him back to the vet to have it looked at and his wound was a oozing pus. 

Today the vet told me Kona may have to have his tail amputated. They will decide tomorrow. I am to have his bandage changed daily now. He is wearing a cone for the first time since the surgery. This whole experience leaves me feeling very sad. 

I want his tail amputated as soon as possible if it is going to be a problem. I should have guessed that tails are really hard to heal after F's poor Luca had to have his "shortening" done. I feel like I've let my big boy down. 

UPDATE--Thursday afternoon

The surgeon agreed with the vet we saw yesterday: Kona's tail needs to be amputated. It is badly infected and with so little skin to cover the wound healing is unlikely. I am so relieved. I was worried they would try to heal it for weeks and end up amputating it later anyway. I just want it to get better quickly. While he is under he will also get his teeth cleaned. So tomorrow morning he has the surgery and then comes home in the afternoon. Yet another round of antibiotics begin tonight. 

Thank you for all of the kind words, the jokes and the righteous indignation. I loved all of your support and am so grateful for DK and the wonderful people populating this blog. 

POST SURGERY UPDATE Friday afternoon

I just picked Kona up from the vet. They said it went fine. He is drooling like mad and seems agitated by the anesthesia... kind of panting and pacing when he isn't plopped flat on the ground. I feel so badly for him. 

I'm trying not to be furious. Yesterday I told the vet that I wanted Kona's teeth cleaned since they were putting him under anyway. The vet looked at his teeth and said that would be a very good idea. His teeth were not cleaned. I am not subjecting him to more anesthesia for a teeth cleaning. I am trying not to be angry since there is nothing that can be done about it. I just feel so upset. Maybe it's because I feel so badly for him right now that the teeth cleaning mistake is just giving me someplace to direct my emotions. 

Kona's tail appears to be about 5 inches long... pretty short, but it will be cute I'm sure.

Thanks again to all of you for your well wishes and prayers. DK is the best!

UPDATE one week after surgery

Kona's tail is not healing. The vet has changed his bandage every few days. She said that parts of it aren't even scabbing yet. He is now on his fourth round of antibiotics. He seems to feel fine but the wound is not healing. When they changed the bandage I discovered his tail is much shorter than it appears to be since they have put lots of "padding" for protection on the end. I asked her if it is okay if my DH runs him and she said, "Let's stop the runs until he improves." She doesn't think that it is a problem but she wants him to just rest. I am not sure how Owen will respond to that instruction. Hoping to report better news soon. Thank you everyone for your kindness toward us. 

UPDATE two weeks after surgery

Kona's vet remains concerned about one spot on the incision not healing but otherwise it is scabbed over. I honestly cannot see the difference she is talking about. I don't have to take him in until Wednesday. She said that they think they will not remove the stitches and just leave them in until the scabs fall off. I'm supposed to be watching for any redness that might develop. 

Kona is being such a good boy not bothering his tail. And Owen has been amazing us! He is gentle and observes a little distance with Kona instead of jumping all over him the way he normally does. 

Thank you for all of your kind words to encourage me. 

[Lynda Kamrath]

He will look like a poodle who has been docked.  That doesn't sound so bad, but the poor guy and what he has been through!  Actually, be glad you did not get his teeth cleaned while he was under anesthesia.  Groucho Too had a growth on his bottom and they removed it and, like you, I said to clean his teeth while he was under the anesthesia.  Well, they did but ended up giving him three types of anesthesia before the whole thing was over.  I picked him up that afternoon and he was also drooling.  He was wearing a "crown of shame" to keep him from trying to lick his bottom but he was licking his feet like crazy and his face and feet started to smell.  I took him to another vet (my favorite one) and he had to be shaved down on his face, tail, and feet.  I told her he was smelling like he was dying and she said no, he smells like he is already dead.  The medications and treatment for that was more than the surgery (and teeth cleaning).  I hate anesthesia also so when Groucho needed some other surgery (another cyst) I told the vet no anesthesia, just a local.  She did a laser surgery on him and he came right home after the surgery and no problems at all.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Should kick in in around 15-30 minutes.

[Bonnie and Kona]

THANK YOU GUYS SO MUCH! I need people to share my righteous indignation that my boy is so upset! ARRGH! 

I'm trying to be calm but I feel as upset as Kona as he paces non-stop. Well, he must have stopped for me to take that photo of him lying down. But honestly the poor guy is just not himself pacing from inside to outside, kitchen to family room. Wait I gave him the Tramadol 10 minutes ago and he is now lying down. Is that possible? I sure hope so. I think I should take one. just kidding. I think I am beyond a glass of wine though.

[Cheryl and Finnegan]

Bonnie, I'm with you.  

[F, Calla & Luca]

Good I would too.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Bonnie, I am with you....give him the pill. I always hate that feeling anesthesia gives you, so I feel for Kona. I hope he sleeps tonight and you get some sleep. Hugs to all of you!

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Good. Give him the pain pill.  WTD?  Heck, take a morphine drip to him.  That first day is rough. I wish for you quick healing as I know you have so much going on in your life.

Kona, rest well, buddy

[Bonnie and Kona]

Okay. I cannot wait any longer. I'm giving him the Tramadol. :(

[Lonnie & Libby Lu]

Bonnie, how sad Kona looks laying there on the floor with is "owie"!  I feel so bad for him and I'm sorry the vet did "not" do his job with the teeth cleaning.  How can a vet "forget" to do what "he" said needed to be done.  I'm sorry I am venting, but really?  I'm sure Kona's tail will be adorable and he will be as good as new in just a few days. Hang in there Barbara, everything will be fine!  Hugs and prayers for a easy night and quick healing.  

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

Shoot no pain pill until 7!!  Ugh.  I was trying to move it up to 5:30.  Glad that Owen is being such a good boy. :)