Tail wound - Page 1

Hi everyone, I need a bit a of experienced advise. My GSD puppy had his tail bitten by an unruly dog (and owner) in the park 3 weeks ago. It was a small wound and I just cleaned it up a bit initally. But he started to bite the area around and it became a 3 inch wound. Took him to the vets who dressed it up and put a buster collar, 2 hours later buster collar was broken and he had happily pulled off the dressing... another buster collar this one lasted 6 hours... then a flexi buster collar without need for a collar lasted all of 30 mins. I took him back to the vets who put a plastic tube on his tail and suggested I muzzle him. He found that if he gripped the tube with his front paws and pushed/pulled it would come off. Now I am at the hair pulling stage, coz even if he is watched all the time he just needs 10 seconds to turn around and nibble the wound. HELP! the wound is becoming a deeper ulcer.No granulation tissue is forming as he bites it till it becomes a raw bleeding wound. The muzzle was not that helpful as he tried ripping it off and is scratching his face.. however it is the only thing that is able to hold him off for a while. I have put socks on his paws and other than trussing him up like a chicken have no idea what else to do :-( Any constructive advice would be appreciated. Thanks PS: He also tended to chase his tail on a regular basis(7 months old GSD pup)

My AKC competition dog developed this habit in his later years... often having him adjusted by the chiropracter would help but he would find another spot... I would suggest 2 things besides maybe having him adjusted or seeing via xray or chiropractic evaluation if there might be another reason fre the chewing. Go to the hardware store or local walmart and find a plastic bucket that will fit over his head longer than his muzzle. You will have to take it off for him to eat probably.....cut out the bottom of the bucket and puncture holes in the edge thru which you will thread some sort of rope in numerous places. These ropes will then be tied to the dogs flat collar and trust me, it's not coming off and it's much much cheaper!! Second, get him some big meaty marrow type bones or big knuckle type bones.... these will keep him occupied for hours on end and then maybe he will forget about his tail. Sometimes you just need to break the cycle ..... You can always try spraying bitter apple, orange.. etc or hot pepper on the area as well.. yes, it may sting... Good luck

Something that has worked for me on all skin areas where my dogs fuss is Australian Tea Tree Oil. It is a disinfectant, dries out wet sores and the dogs do not want to lick it. You can get the oil at K-Mart in the pharmacy section.

cut and heal at the feed store, It is for horses and we have used in on the dogs for years, it has the tea tree oil in it and is in a handy spray and cheeper I think. Good advice on the new "Bucket collar" funny looking I bet, but no doubt it works....good on the bones too. I always have a couple with a dog that will chew like this, and make sure they are the good yummy kinds, so that he will want them more than that ichy tail. Heather

Yup, that bucket collar is a real fashion statement but the Ecollars are so expensive and so fragile!!! You can make them in different colors - oh my - I am still feverish form the flu yesterday!!

Actually, as I hit enter, I realized I had forgotten one of my most effective solutions... it is called Hydro Plus and is made by Phoenix Pharmeceuticals... it is a burroughs solution (drying agent) with cortisone and some other good stuff in it! It is the miracle cure for hot spots.... of course the dog has to stop licking in order for it to work.... I have had folks use it at a trial on the first day and come back to me the 2nd day asking all about it because of how quickly it works.. Can't find it in Georgia, but my previous boss in CT sends it to me when I need it!!

Thank you all so much. I have been using tea tree oil but he has acquired a taste for it. The hydro plus sounds interesting, I am based in UK would it be possible for me to be able to order it across? The bucket sounds good... how can I cut it such that it will not cut his neck? What instruments do you use to cut thru the plastic.. sorry I am not very able in the DIY. Thanks again really appreciate the time you have taken to offer your advice.

you can use a good sharp knife, if you don't have a jigsaw(?), and then you could wrap ductape around it so that he won't cut his neck I would guess...at least that is what I would do. Heather

A good sharp knife or a utility knife works well - most of those buckets are really cheap... might even be able to find in a dollar store..... do you have those? they are drastic discount type stores..... Maybe you could discuss with your vet about the HydroPlus and he/she might know of a product with similar ingredients.... Email me off list and I'll send you the ingredients... the email off list is to remind me! I tend to forget..

A bucket will work, used them myself to prevent a bitch from mutilating a rear pad. Also had a dog that lost half of his tail due to a dog bite, so you can't be too careful with things like that. Once he can no longer reach it, it will heal on its own. Just keep you eye on the tip to be sure it is still "alive".