Tail Damage

[Merlin]

Hi Clam,

Would you mind updating us on how you're getting on with your Vizla's tail please?

I'm having similar trouble with my Flat Coat at the moment, vet's attempted one "repair" last week - glue & gauze to help protect it but it was bleeding again this morning.
Been back to the vet this morning and he's ordered some "tail guards", think maybe it's the Dog Ends mentioned in above link as I took some info in with me last week.

Just wondered if they had been any good..

Getting a bit worried as docking was mentioned this morning, not too sure I'd happy about that !!


Has anyone else had problems with retriever's tails?
A few success reports would be very much appreciated..

[Springfield Pointers]

Even my EP's will have tail damage. This pup has a very active tail and hunting him in cover usually gets messy. I have started binding it now.

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[madrags]

One of the pickers up on a shoot that I beat on has a lab that damages its tail. Using my method, he straps the tail every time that dog works.

[Merlin]

One of the pickers up on a shoot that I beat on has a lab that damages its tail. Using my method, he straps the tail every time that dog works.

Hi Madrags,
I have looked at your strapping method, which looks excellent, but is it something you would be able to leave on long enough for the tail to heal?

Also, as he hasn't damaged it in a particular situation - when out working etc, he's done it in the house during his everyday life, he wags so enthusiastically when we come down in the morning, or even when we just talk to him sometimes , and wallops it against all the furniture, we would have to have him strapped up all the time.

At the moment we're concentrating on getting it healed, and really trying to manage his wagging, something we'll have to be really careful about in the future, I suppose.

It just seems such a shame to be having to be firm with him when he's greeting us with such a show of excitement !!

[WGD]

Strap it up and cage rest him for a couple of weeks, he will hate it but it will be better in the long term.

[Stacia]

As soon as you greet him tell him to sit immediately, then with luck the wagging tail won't hit furniture. You can then go to him and show your pleasure at meeting him, but under more tail control

Jelinga

[Springfield Pointers]

As soon as you greet him tell him to sit immediately, then with luck the wagging tail won't hit furniture. You can then go to him and show your pleasure at meeting him, but under more tail control

Jelinga

By the sounds of things, the dog will get carpet burns...

[madrags]

If I was going to leave it on to heal, I would put gauze underneath. My method lasts well, but I wouldn't want to leave it on for more than a few hours.

[Merlin]

Well, he went back in on Friday and the vet was very pleased with progress so far.
The tail was split on the end/side, this has healed very nicely, there's just a little bit right on the end that still needs to heal, so he got glued and gauzed again...
Just worried that the damage will have weakened the tail tip and it will keep happening..

Merlin seems to be getting the idea that he has to be a bit calmer though and we're all being careful of how / when we fuss him.
It's worse when he lies down coz he wags his tail against the floor, , so we have to make him stand up but he just keep collapsing onto his back for a tickle !!

Does anyone know if once damaged it causes a weak spot?

Mark

[vicky payne]

For a long time it does. Scar tissue doesn't act like normal tissue.