Tail wound - Page 2

Too cute DKiah. . . I figure Vashokumar has a Pound Store in his country. Good info about the bucket. Lots of really good advice on this site. Thanks Oli!!!

Check out google.com and type in "obsessive compulsive disorder dogs" and you will have pages of info if indeed it is OCD which is more common in GSD and Bull Terriers. Sounds like it could very well be OCD but hopefully it is not.

If we are talking about OCD, try Rescue Remedy. Bachblutten formula that may eleviate undue stress and create a feeling of calmness. In the UK they have this Bachblutten formula practically on every corner. We always purchased it in the UK because it is especially inexpensive as opposed to continental Europe. Great just before giving a speech before an audience. I know some people use it with dogs/horses. In this respect I have had not good experience before a trial. But maybe this add-on will help your dog for tail biting. Sunny

Thanks again folks for your advice. Sunny, DKiah, Blitzen and Het I am grateful to you for sharing your knowledge and experiences. I have been trying tea tree oil but my pup has acquired a taste for it. Also tried the Alum and bitter apple to no avail.. I feel sorry for the poor chap he must be in such agony to try and bite thru all that bitter stuff. I have him on pain killers and an antihistamine and a sedative at night but I think its at best just taking the edge off. I will try the bucket and see how we get on... probably need to get a few to practice on( although we do not have a dollar/pound store that I am aware of, plastic buckets are not expensive. Sunny you mentioned the rescue remedy from Bach flowers which we have. What is the Bachblutten and what are the ingredients... my Germans not that great but isn't blutten someting to do with blood or bleeding? Once again I do appreciate your advice and a big thanks to Oli for having a forumn where people like me can seek advice from the experienced folks across the world. Cheers

Get a BiteNot collar until it heals. I had a GS with a tail injury and nothing worked to stop him from opening the wound that is until I got the BiteNot collar. And believe me I tried it ALL, even having to sedate the dog during the day while I was at work. The BiteNot allowed the dog movement but he couldn't reach the rear area. It's a "C" collar so to speak-- it's so much better than the satellite looking collar that vets give. He never got it off, although he tried a few times. It has velcro around the neck area, then a strap around the velco collar and then snaps around the shoulder area. Awesome collar--can't say enough good about it. Do a search for BiteNot collars. I keep one as part of my first aid kit at home.

The BiteNot Collar seems like something worth having. Good advice. The Bachbluten or in English Bach Flower Remedies have been used in pets very successfully. They are flower essences. The Rescue Remedy is a ready made mixture of several of these essences. You can drop it right into your dogs mouth (make sure dog does not touch dropper). It sounds like your dog has more problems than just the tail. You are probably facing some ongoing problems down the road. I would put some rescue drops into your dogs water every day for now as well. Natural stores usually have the bach flower essences. or health food stores. They can also make a special mixture for your individual problem. There are books available on the subject that are geared just for dog owners. At least in Germany. Info in English: http://www.bachcentre.com/centre/remedies.htm I would usually recommend that you keep using the tea tree oil, but your dog could be the rare case that has an allergic reaction. Apply it to another location and see if your dog wants to chew that too. Then you are probably looking at additional aggrevation from an allergic reaction. If there is no reaction to the other area, try to stop the dog from chewing the tail via what has been suggested above or the muzzle (use a second collar to secure muzzle and keep it as tight as possible, acceptance will come eventually) and keep the tea tree oil up. It will dry the wound and speed up healing. Be very careful as time progresses. Make sure your dog will not get to the tail again as it heals, as you may see yourself starting all over again. Tail wounds heal slowly.