Tail injury advice needed

[Judy Gordon]

Hours ago I researched Tail Injury Discussions and posted our situation on that discussion page. I don't post often and couldn't figure out how to repost it here, (using 140 characters or less) but we need advice. We are dealing with an injury our Miah sustained when a groomer using a Dremmel to grind her nails accidentally cut the tip of her tail. That was a week ago and several stitches. The wound is not healing as hoped. Our vet now suggests that if it doesn't heal she will need to amputate. If there is anyway to avoid more surgery, we would prefer it. Please see my post under the discussion Tail Injuries and share your thoughts. Many thanks!

[F, Calla & Luca]

That is good news. I hope Miah continues to heal on her own.

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

That's great news! I hope her tail continues to heal and returns to normal! Thanks for sharing your story. It's a good reminder of how fragile the doodle tails can be. I've tried to stay more aware of Tara's tail around doors, etc since learning on DK how easily they can be damaged. Keep up the good work!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I wonder if this has anything to do with why poodles' tails are docked.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Interesting thought although I doubt they are more fragile than others. The bones are very small and tails tend to get caught in things. But poodles to tend to get cysts and that was Kona's problem, which led to infection and amputation.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

The bones in the distal half of JD's tail are much smaller than those of his lab friends. They taper dramatically in size, whereas those in a Lab's tail seem to be more uniform all the way down. Not sure about Goldens. 

[F, Calla & Luca]

Luca's distal tail bones were tiny. Calla's whole tail is much thicker, as are all her bones. She can get away with saying, "I have big bones " : )

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

Just looking from the outside Labrador Retriever tails seem much sturdier (thicker) to me than a doodle tail. I don't know if the bones are any larger on the inside though. Poodle tails seem thinner but again it is just my observation and I haven't been around many Standards.  . 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Most poodles tails are docked anyway, so you wouldn't be able to see the bones on the distal half, but I'm pretty sure they taper like JD's.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Rex's tail was not docked but I think he had sturdier bones than Luca but he was a standard. I also think, no proof, that a supposedly benign tumor of his tail was where his cancer started : (

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

I did just look the history of why poodles have docked tails.

http://arpeggiopoodles.tripod.com/taildocking.html

I find this interesting too. Spud has a tail that I would call a feather tail.  The tiniest of bone. In many photos you can actually see just how small and fragile his tail is.  Starlit on the other hand had a very heavy, thick, dense tail.

[Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo]

Thanks J! Great and interesting info. I think Enzo's tail leans toward her Golden side. Even at 6 months her tail appears thicker.

[F, Calla & Luca]

I think it depends partly on whether the dogs bone structure resembles more poodle or lab/golden ancestry and the size of poodle ancestors.