Tail Laceration

[ahicks51]

Coco dove after a cat on a walk three nights ago; I don't know how he did it, but he managed to get a 2" laceration midway up his tail. It's almost parallel to the length of the tail, with a bit of a spiral. I think he got it caught on an old car's fender and ripped it open.

 

I've washed it out with dilute povidone solution and kept it clean; there's no sign of infection, and the EMT Gel seems to protect the wound. I'm just debating whether stitches would do any good- or *would* have done any good as it's been so long. It seems a tough spot to treat with anything; he can't get to it with his muzzle-and-tape combination, and it's well protected.

 

Any pointers as to anything else I can do?

[Batmom]

FWIW, when Batman sliced his, nobody tried to stitch it. Vet just cleaned it well, pushed the edges together, and wrapped it. Butterfly bandage or two might be of use in your case?

[CaliforniaGreys]

I remember Katie doing that a few years back and the vet used skin glue. Healed greatl

[macdaddy]

Hi Alan...sounds like you're doing everything right ..although the spray on "plastic skin" seems like a good idea...best wishes for your boy...Bill

[Guest ChasesMum]

far as I've been advised, tail lac's are like knuckle lac's in people - really hard to stitch and it doesnt really help.

 

 

 

 

[ahicks51]

Well, he's cranky about wearing a muzzle all the time, but the wound seems to be doing quite well. I just need him to leave it alone; he's a world-class injury exacerbater, and he's taken off all four bandages I put on there. So for now, I'm just leaving it open and muzzling him so he'll leave it alone.

 

[kjw]

I do the same anytime I can - the air allows more healing than wrapping it. They get used to the muzzle, and in a few days it will heal up enough to take the muzzle off.

[Guest vahoundlover]

Well, he's cranky about wearing a muzzle all the time, but the wound seems to be doing quite well. I just need him to leave it alone; he's a world-class injury exacerbater, and he's taken off all four bandages I put on there. So for now, I'm just leaving it open and muzzling him so he'll leave it alone.

 

That's what I would do too.

 

I have 2 who think it's a lovely game to outwit mom and bandages.

[Guest meakah]

Looking back....glue probably would have helped (depending on the size) but hey, it will heal eventually. Tails can be such a pain to heal so hang in there. Sounds like you are doing everything that you can.