Injuried Tail - HELP

My Africa injuried her tail about a month ago...she's been to the vet twice, bandaged with antibotic cream...but it's just not healing.

I'm so worried that they will cut her tail a little and we've done everything we could to prevent that...please does anyone have any ideas or suggestions to help us. She's 8 1/2 years old, wonderful dog, friend and like my child...we've done everything to help her and so worried. : :cry: :cry:

New on here so want to say 'hello' to everyone!

Carla

 

hie and welcome, oh your poor pup, that has to be painful, I would b concerned becasue of her age abou surgery, I would post this on the other dogs forum there is a lot more activity and someone should be able to help woth htis

good luck

honeybear

 

Thank you honeybear so much....I will look at the others and do that.

I really would hate the surgery, believe me...so looking for any alternative....we took off bandage...looks terrible, but we put lighter bandage and wrapping in the hopes more air will get at it...if she doesn't take it off...this way by the end of the week we will see if it starts to heal that way...keeping fingers crossed.

Thanks for your reply.

Carla

 

I don't know how bad it is, but have you tried leaving the bandage off to let her clean it? Perhaps with crate confinement and her own cleaning, it would start to heal up??? Just a thought because sometimes vets want to bandage up everything - whether it's needed or not. I wish you the best of luck.

 

Once a tail is injuried, it is really hard to heal. One of my dogs had some type of irritation on his tail where he would keep biting at it all the time, as if it was itchy. Anyway, after going to the vet numerous times to no avail, we had it docked. Didn't faze him abit. He came home as if nothing happened and never knew his tail was gone. It really is no biggy. Some people make such a big deal over things....

 

Thanks so much Amanda...at the moment we have it lightly covered so she won't pick at it as it still was bleeding...we are still monitoring her, I really don't want to bring her to the vet as I know what's next. Appreciate your response.

Checked your web site...congratulations and good luck...wish more people like you were around to treat these animals with love...the pit is so misunderstood...mine is so sweet...neighbors who were afraid of her and even walk across the street, now hand feed and pet her...she's so well behaved.

Thanks again.

Carla

 

In the injury at the tip of her tail, or somewhere along the middle of it? One of ours split the tip of her tail a few months ago, beating it around on the walls when people came in. Everytime it'd start to heal, she'd hit it against something and it would open again. We tried wrapping it (vet wrap, regular med. tape, nothing worked), and like your dog, she pulled it off. Finally, I broke down and used duct tape to secure the wrap on her tail, and sprayed bitter apple (chewing deterrant spray) lightly over the wrap. I left the wrap open on the end at the tip of her tail, and just wound a small strip of tape loosely around the wrap at the "top" end of it. That way air could still get in the one end, but her tail was padded against her htting it up against stuff. I took the tape and wrap off daily (soaked the whole tail in warm water then added a bit of baby oil to the fur around the tape so it'd come off easier), cleaned her tail off, and added antibiotic ointment. I did this for about a week, until her tail started looking more normal, then left the wrap off and just made sure to keep her from banging it against the walls and furniture until it was completely healed. I let her lick it, but she never bothered chewing at it, if she'd done that, I'd have stopped her.

Can't guarantee that it'd help for your girl, but might be worth a try, given the options. Just make sure to change the wrap at least daily if you do, so if she develops an infection, it doesn't go unnoticed.

 

Injured Tail

Just wanted to give everyone an update...and a major THANK YOU!!! to all for your support and love.

Well after all that was said and done...we noticed Africa's tail was starting to swell a little, so off to the vet for another examine...and a set date for amputation...well originally it was 4 in. but dr had to remove 6...naturally I was upset, but the realization of its importance set in and your comforting messages helped.

Shes doing just fine, stitches were removed Saturday and it looks like its healing just fine...I do miss her lovely tail...but having her healthy and well is most important...I know and realize that.

So thanks once again dear people for your love in helping me get through this.

Carla

 

Glad to hear she is doing well. Not having her tail can have it's advantages for you - no more whacking things off tables and no more bruising your legs.

 

Injured Tail

Wacking of legs...so true...always had black and blues...I guess that is one way to think happy thoughts about all this lol....