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. 

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Bonnie, I am so sorry to hear about Kona. I hope his tail gets better, but know you will do what is best for him.

[Bonnie and Kona]

Thank you, F. That gives me some hope. I was afraid that if it took a long time to heal the wound it might take a long time to heal an amputation, too! We are moving in 6 weeks.

[F, Calla & Luca]

We tried for about 4 weeks to get his tail to heal. then he had x-rays and we decided to amputate. After that he healed quickly. I say less than 2 weeks really.

[Bonnie and Kona]

The wound is about halfway down his beautiful plume. I seriously would rather have his tail amputated than have him endure more with treatment if it won't heal. How long did it take Luca to heal?

[F, Calla & Luca]

Yes, that is one of the problems wit tails and it is very difficult to keep them bandaged. It would be a pity to lose any of his tail for that, though.

[Bonnie and Kona]

Yes they did a biopsy. The vet said it was a sebaceous cyst. Kona is "lumpalicious". I intend to keep that get tech far away from my sweet boy!

Linda, The vet told me tails are very hard to heal. The vet that did the surgery said there was hardly enough skin to close the wound.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Where on the tail is it?

[Linda, Webber and Seda]

I am so sorry to hear about Kona's tail problem.  Have you considered getting a second opinion before letting them amputate his tail?  I don't quite understand how an infection would end up needing removal of the tail.  

[Donna K & Quincy]

I am sorry this is happening to Kona, I hope he gets to keep his tail but if it means a quicker easier recovery I understand you wanting to get the amputation done. Quincy had a spot with a black dot in the center on his side but it was just a sebaceous cyst. Did your vet do a biopsy? 

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Oh no, Bonnie. I am so sorry to hear all of this.  I am very sorry.  I know F., is here to support you through this though.

Please, next time, ask that the vet tech NOT touch your dog. You are paying for the service and you may refuse anytime you want.

Kona, please get well soon