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. 

[Bonnie and Kona]

Thank you , F.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Bonnie, don't worry if he's OK. I'd just cut out the Tramadol and see how that goes. 

[Bonnie and Kona]

I don't know. I was just following the vet's directions with Tramadol. Then this morning I looked up Fentanyl patch as that's what is written on a wrap on his leg. The receptionist told me to come on Tues to have that wrap removed. Darn it.

[F, Calla & Luca]

It seems like overkill to me.

[Cheryl and Finnegan]

Why would you give both Fentanyl and Tramadol?  Just curious.  I have no experience with either drug.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I have heard of dogs becoming agitated on Fentanyl. But it seems that has passed now and he is more comfortable. I'm glad he had a quiet night. 

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

One problem is that dogs don't know to take it easy.  If they feel no pain, then they run and play.  It can be harder for them to heal that way.  So, I hope DH forces him to take it easy, even though, that Fentanyl really makes him feel a lot better  :(  

[F, Calla & Luca]

Yes, fentanyl is a powerful drug and sometimes any drug can cause paradoxical reactions. Still those patches release medication over a long period so it may likely be the anesthetic caused the initial problem. Tapering the Tramadol is fine. But I really don't think he should need it anymore and it too is addictive. As I recall, the vet only gave me Tramadol because I asked. She though Luca would be fine on just Rimadyl and really he was fine in short order.

[Bonnie and Kona]

I will let DH know about the flying monkeys as soon as he gets out of the shower. Clearly my wrath is not affecting his choices. arrrgh! 

[Camilla and Darwin]

Thanks for the update, I would be upset about the dental cleaning also, but at least the most important part got done and he's out of it and doing okay. Give Kona a kiss for me!