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Tail Amputees?


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I am horrified to say that I somehow caught my greys tail in the screen door on our way back in from a walk. His tail degloved (!!!) and had to be partially amputated today. I feel like the absolute worst grey mom. Does anyone else have a tail amputee? How did they adapt to the shorter-tailed life? His tail is an important rudder for zoomies will he zoomie again?

Edited by PNWGrey
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He'll be fine! I'm sorry that happened, but you aren't the worst dog mom, stuff happens. Andy came to me as a senior and due to "happy tail" he had been without his tail for all of his life. He still wagged the stump :) I miss that boy.

 

Take a deep breath, all will be well.

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:paw Upon reflection, our lives are often referenced in parts defined by the all-too-short lives of our dogs.

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I've known of dogs born with only a partial tail. One of them was a superb lure-courser.

Don't let your boy play the sympathy card on you. Keep him muzzled--maybe with a poop guard--so he can't get to his tail to lick or chew. If a bandage disappears suddenly, take him to a vet for x-rays to make sure he hasn't swallowed it. (I know of a case where that happened--and it didn't end well because no one suspected she'd eaten the bandage.)

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Accidents happen. They only fun that was lost was chasing around after the white tip. Put soft towels over things like radiators in the hallway.

Keep the dressings clean and changes as often as recommended. Remember Manuka Honey (20+ or better) if infection sets it.

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Thank you all so much for the reassurance! Twenty-four hours into recovery and he is doing pretty well so far. Hes pretty jazzed about the special treats he gets with his antibiotics and painkillers, as well as the extra tidbits Ive been hiding in his meals to assuage my own guilt.

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Had a Weimeraner growing up, she had a super stubby tail. Never even missed it! Your boy will be just fine.

Current Crew: Gino-Gene-Eugene! (Eastnor Rebel: Makeshift x Celtic Dream); Fuzzy the Goo-Goo Girl (BGR Fuzzy Navel: Boc's Blast Off x Superior Peace); Roman the Giant Galoot! (Imark Roman: Crossfire Clyde x Shana Wookie); Kitties Archie and Dixie

Forever Missed: K9 Sasha (2001-2015); Johnny (John Reese--Gable Dodge x O'Jays) (2011-19); the kitties Terry and Bibbi; and all the others I've had the privilege to know

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Disco had most of his tail amputated and did perfectly fine. There is nothing to worry about.

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We recently had a similar experience and tried to save the end of the tail. Never again! It ultimately needed to be amputated and we could not be happier with the new length. It's so much more convenient and so much easier not to step on or get caught in doors, etc. Good luck.

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Same thing happened to me a couple years ago and it didn't hurt a thing. Rudder still worked great! And we both enjoyed the extra lovins' and treats and it healed fast :beatheart Their little tail is just so fragile! Those secondary doors are seriously dangerous to greyhounds-especially houndies with long tails.

Edited by racindog
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I never had one de-gloved, or amputated, but I did break a dog's tail, with a car door. It healed, but it was crooked ever after. Looked ridiculous, and I hated it every time anyone asked about it - but it was a source of good fun for those loved ones that liked to dig me about it. "Oh - the crooked tail, yeah - Shel broke his tail." (all in good fun, because they knew I felt so guilty about it and the dog was FINE).

 

My human DD has a ridge in her pinky finger nail because I dropped a can of corn on her when she crawled under me when I dropped it. Stuff happens. She does take great joy in telling her manicurist when they mention it (she's now 21) that "oh yes - my mom dropped a can of corn on me when I was a baby". Brat :hehe She knows I feel guilty about it. Dogs aren't kids, but in some cases, we need to forgive ourselves for accidents in the same way. The upside is - dogs won't make a point to tell others how it happened to goad you about it and think it's funny.

 

Trust me - in the infinite list of crap that can happen - this is not uncommon, and not a big deal. Your dog is totally FINE. Assuage yourself (yes, you) with giving extra treats, and move on. The dog already has.

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