Shanti's Tail Problem

[ShantisMom]

We were just at the vets a couple days ago. Her tail looked like it had an abrasion of sort. We got some cream to put on it. Today it is much worse. I went to put the cream on and she whipped around and bit me. That is not like her!!! So I know it hurts! Yesterday she screamed and freaked out while laying down. I can only guess it was a tail thing. I have another call into the vet. Sickly her number is memorized.

 

Anyone have any thoughts on it or suggestions? Here are a couple pictures.

 

 

 

She won't leave wrap on it. My poor girl, her belly is a wreck too right now.

[Guest MnMDogs]

Oh wow, that looks so painful. Mork has stud tail, and it would occasionally get raw enough that I needed to put ointment on it. But it never looked that bad. Is it possible to muzzle her to at least get the cream on it? Can she undo vet wrap?

[Guest argolola]

Poor little sweetheart. I have no suggestions, but I feel so bad for you both. More prayers are on the way.

[ShantisMom]

I muzzled, put cream on. She unwrapped it. It is oozy right now from her unwrapping it. I have a lampshade collar, but she can't get in and out with it on and she gives NO warning on potty time. Plus she is on prednisone which makes her have to go a lot.

[Guest BlackandBrindle]

Ouch! That looks like it hurts.

 

Is she leaving it alone? You might try a betadine wash (I put mine in a hair color applicator).

 

In the meantime I'd definitely muzzle her when you try to put the cream on.

 

What kind of cream did the vet give you?

[Guest MnMDogs]

Oh jeez. I'm sorry! I wish I had something else to add.

[Guest BlackandBrindle]

Do you have a poop cup for the muzzle? That might work in lieu of an e-collar.

[ShantisMom]

Silvadene cream. Not cutting it. I also put on EMT gel today. We had silvadene cream for my kid when he burned his hands. I did not know it was for other stuff.

[Guest paulamariez]

Poor Shanti! How the heck did that happen?? I have no advice, but I'll keep your poor, sweet and obviously in pain little girl in my prayers that it heals up quick for her! Tiger, Bueller and Domino are sending her some healing doggie kisses too.

[Guest VaGreymom]

I have no idea what that is, but it does look very painful and sore. Let us know what the vet says.

[ShantisMom]

We have no clue how or what she did. I noticed it the other day when I bathed her before the vets.

 

I don't have a poop guard, but maybe if I leave her muzzled? Will it drive her crazy? Better than the lampshade alternative.

[patricia]

OUCH~That looks so painful.

[cathys01]

Try the other type of neck collar...I've seen them made from bath towels - fold until the width of her neck, then wrap around the neck and tape (duct tape will work) in place. This would allow her to get in and out of the dog door, but unable to bend her neck enough to bite her tail. I'll see if I can find a pic on here somewhere...

 

[ShantisMom]

Good idea. I would love a picture!

[Guest houndlover]

Poor baby...it looks awful! When I have to try to keep one of the dogs away from an incision or something like that I use a muzzle and put tape over the outside of the muzzle so that they can't lick/chew the incision. I had tried the towel thing like cathys01 suggested but it kept slipping off. I'm sure that I probably didn't do it right though.

[4greyhounds]

Poor Baby. I am so sorry I have no suggestions, but I hope she feels better real soon.

[greyhndz]

Jenny, you can try a Bite-Not collar (if you can get one quickly - I've only seen them sold online). I used this successfully with Teo, but I understand that it may not work that well for tail or extremity injuries.

 

Bite Not

[Saffron]

Ouch! That looks really sore. Poor Shanti and poor you.

 

I'm not convinced the Bite-Not will work on a tail (although I usually swear by it for body wounds.) Evenh in a bite-not I think my pups could have reached the tail.

 

I'd second a muzzle with a poop guard for this particular injury.

 

Can you let us know what the vet says and how you get on?

 

 

 

 

 

[Batmom]

What are you wrapping with?

 

What I would do is:

 

- Make sure you have some blunt-nosed bandage scissors on hand. Don't do the wrap below unless you have some.

- Nonstick gauze pad with a blob of SSD over the wound. Anchor it with 1-2 little pieces white medical tape.

- Make an extra pad of a couple layers gauze or vetwrap. Put that on top the gauze pad. Anchor with 1-2 little pieces tape.

- Now vetwrap. Start 4-5" below the wound and keep going to 4-5" above it (or as far as you can get, but leave @ half an inch of "I could wrap this much further up).

- Now Elastikon. Start half an inch below your vetwrap and continue to half an inch above your vetwrap. You will need the bandage scissors and some patience to get it off.

- Muzzle with poop cup (or tape) on dog. Gotta keep her mouth off it.

- Change after 1 day. If it looks OK at that time, leave it on two days. Change again in two days. If it's still looking good, go 3 days. Then 5. As long as it looks good, don't mess with the wound -- just slap some more SSD on your new gauze pad and bandage it up.

 

Hugs and big luck to you.

 

 

ETA: To get your bandage off, work your finger under the Elastikon at one end. Keep your finger under there. Insert blunt nose of bandage scissors and cut along your finger. That way you're sure you're cutting only bandage (and maybe your finger OWEEEEE) and not the dog.

Edited July 9, 2008 by Batmom

[Guest Vinnie]

Oh what a week you are having! Poor Shanti - her tail definitely looks painful. I hope she did not bite you too hard??? How about the muzzle with some tape - there was a picture of stinkeye in C&F that the muzzle was taped to stop her from licking (I am so sorry, I am just drawing a blank on the pups name right now) - maybe that would help for now? Have you heard back from the vet yet? And how is Asti doing? I hope both your babies get better very quickly and that there was no serious damage done to you. Please keep us posted.

[ShantisMom]

What are you wrapping with?

 

What I would do is:

 

- Make sure you have some blunt-nosed bandage scissors on hand. Don't do the wrap below unless you have some.

- Nonstick gauze pad with a blob of SSD over the wound. Anchor it with 1-2 little pieces white medical tape.

- Make an extra pad of a couple layers gauze or vetwrap. Put that on top the gauze pad. Anchor with 1-2 little pieces tape.

- Now vetwrap. Start 4-5" below the wound and keep going to 4-5" above it (or as far as you can get, but leave @ half an inch of "I could wrap this much further up).

- Now Elastikon. Start half an inch below your vetwrap and continue to half an inch above your vetwrap. You will need the bandage scissors and some patience to get it off.

- Muzzle with poop cup (or tape) on dog. Gotta keep her mouth off it.

- Change after 1 day. If it looks OK at that time, leave it on two days. Change again in two days. If it's still looking good, go 3 days. Then 5. As long as it looks good, don't mess with the wound -- just slap some more SSD on your new gauze pad and bandage it up.

 

Hugs and big luck to you.

 

 

ETA: To get your bandage off, work your finger under the Elastikon at one end. Keep your finger under there. Insert blunt nose of bandage scissors and cut along your finger. That way you're sure you're cutting only bandage (and maybe your finger OWEEEEE) and not the dog.

 

What is SSD? Where do I get Elastikon? I have LOTS of vet wrap. Lots of first aid stuff from the fire station.

[ShantisMom]

Oh what a week you are having! Poor Shanti - her tail definitely looks painful. I hope she did not bite you too hard??? How about the muzzle with some tape - there was a picture of stinkeye in C&F that the muzzle was taped to stop her from licking (I am so sorry, I am just drawing a blank on the pups name right now) - maybe that would help for now? Have you heard back from the vet yet? And how is Asti doing? I hope both your babies get better very quickly and that there was no serious damage done to you. Please keep us posted.

 

Quite the week!!! No word from the vet yet. She is out today. Last time I brought her in anyway it cost $350. Since I did about double that again on Thursday, I will wait a few more hours. She will be in in the morning. I will make it till then. My friend Meghan offered to come help wrap or do medicine if need be. I have kept Shanti muzzled and it is no longer oozy and that nasty. Still bad. I will let you all know what the vet says.

 

Asti is fine now. Not much keeps a pup down! Still has stitches. She did get her swimming in today. She can jump 1/2 way across the pool!!!

 

Shanti did not bite me badly. I don't think she meant to hurt me or she would have. It was a snap bite that got the back of my arm. It is fine, I am just a bit stunned!

 

Thanks for all the good thoughts!

[RileysLegacy]

omg, not another thing! You guys have really been having a hard time I don't know if this is right, but isn't there some sort of gland on the tail? Could that have something to do with it? I hope you get it figured out and healing soon. We send our love and good thoughts!!

[ShantisMom]

Okay, SSD is the Silvadene cream I have. Duh! I looked at the box. Anyone know why it is helpful?

[Batmom]

Elastikon is the extra-sticky tan athletic-type tape.

 

Don't know why SSD helps but it sure seems to. Presumably inhibits bacteria and keeps a moist environment, which you need for healing something like that. Also keeps the gauze from sticking to the wound, which even nonstick will do.