article on tail injuries

[Lori, Quincy & Frankie]

This is what I found to be an informative article about tail injuries-unfortunately a recent topic around here.  

 Surprisingly Common Cat and Dog Tail Injuries: http://www.vetstreet.com/dr-marty-becker/4-injuries-that-can-take-t...

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Lori, this might also be a good discussion to post in the Health & Medical group. 

[Jennifer and Jack]

Thank you for posting !!!! My little,guy broke his tail a little over a week ago.....it is so sad! He was doing better but now seems like it's hurting again!

[Bonnie and Kona]

Oh no!

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

This is interesting.  Thanks for posting. Breaking the tail from whapping it against a wall?  My tailed dogs do this to get my attention and, luckily for me, have never broken their tails.

[Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo]

Wow...never realized it was so common!

[Judy Gordon]

Hello Doodle lovers. We took our beautiful Miah to the vet for her annual shots and check up. The vet now has a groomer with years of experience. So we asked the groomer to clip her nails and give her the sani-cut. While chatting with one of the assistants, we heard Miah scream bloody murder. Thinking that maybe the groomer cut her nail too short, we didn't panic until they asked us to come back to the grooming area. Our regular vet was out that day so by the time we saw our girl the substitute vet had already bandaged her tail and given her an antibiotic shot. She told us that while the groomer was using the Dremmel on her back paws, she jumped and her tail got caught and cut the tip of her tail. We took Miah home and kept her as quiet as possible until the wound started to bleed. The regular vet called the next day asking to see her and immediately performed emergency surgery to close the wound. She said to give her Tramadol and an antiobiotic for a week and bring her back. So yesterday when the vet removed the bandages, it looked pretty dark. Miah immediately began licking at it furtively. The vet said that it either itched or hurt and she wasn't sure if it was healing which meant the possibility of amputating more of her tail. By now I'm freaking out. So we are watching and waiting to see if it heals and if not the vet plans to amputate. I am horrified and angry that an "experienced groomer" who has never seen our dog did not take the necessary precautions to avoid injuring our girl. I realize accidents happen, but Miah is the one who is suffering needlessly. She has slept in my lap for most of the evening and we finally got her to eat something. While looking at some other posts I see that tail injuries are not uncommon, but is there anything that can be applied to speed healing? Is amputation the only solution? I'm certain that Miah will be fine with a bobbed tail, but we don't want to put her through an unnecessary surgery unless it's absolutely necessary. I couldn't get to sleep so I thought I'd ask if anyone had suggestions, advice, magic potions:). We just asked to have her nails clipped and this is where we are. Thanks for reading my rant. Your comments and suggestions are appreciated.

[Bonnie and Kona]

I am so very sorry to hear about Miah. This story sounds just impossible!

I will tell you that Kona, 6, had a fatty tumor in the middle of his tail. The vet removed the tumor but it would not heal. He had to have it amputated. I was more concerned that something be done that would aid his healing than that he keep his long tail. As the vet was gently explaining that the safest option would be to amputate, I quickly agreed. It did take quite a long time to heal.

I understand that tails are hard to heal. I hope you have a good result and that Miah recovers quickly.

[Judy Gordon]

Thank you for your reply. I agree that Miah's health and well being are priority. She is the llove of my life and I will do anything to keep her safe. She would be the beautiful gentle loving spirit that she is with or without a tail and it kills me to see her in pain. I just didn't know if others might have had a different outcome other than amputation. Surgery is so final. And frightening. If there is a way to avoid putting her through that again, I'd be willing to try it. She didn't do this to herself and she didn't deserve it. I'm just angry and didn't want to make a decision without checking around.
Will keep you posted. Thanks again and happy holidays to you and Kona.

[Bonnie and Kona]

I cannot imagine how upset you must be! The whole story is just horrific. I hope you get some positive responses. I live in Hawaii so I'm one of the few members that is up now. sorry. 

[Bonnie and Kona]

I think you should post your question in a discussion on the main page. The only people that will see this note will be those who have responded to the article that Lori posted in October. 

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

I am so sorry for Miah that this happened. I would be so angry and upset, too. I hope her tail heals quickly.  I also would not be paying for one thing that happened because of this groomer.

[Janie, Jackson and Jilly]

I'm just reading your post and I'm so very sorry for Miah and for you. There are just no words for what happened to Miah. I hope she heals quickly. Hugs to you.