Question Regarding Cyst removal on tail? - Page 1

Libby had a cyst on her tail which burst a week ago.  When I took her to the vet they recommended removing it because she had already started to bite it.  (She just had a cyst removed from her hip in November that turned out non cancerous).  I decided to have it removed.  When I picked her up they told me that there was not alot of skin left so they were not sure if it would heal - possibly will need to amputate part of the tail.  Today my sister in law who checks on the dogs told me that Libby got ouf of the Cone collar and had chewed the end of her tail to the bone.   She took her back to the vet for me and they told me she chewed the end of her tail to the bone trying to get the wrap off.  They recommended ampuating today, but since I work 2 hours away from home I wanted to stop and think before I decide what to do.  He told me if they would take approx 5 inches off - which would be right above where the incision is for the cyst removal.  I asked what was to stop her from trying to get to her tail and bite it again after amputating part.  He told me tail wounds were difficult and it is very possible that she would be back in to have it amputated to the point that it would be the length of a rottie or boxes.

My question is, has anyone else gone thru this?  I ordered a no bite collar to use as well.  Would sedating her while I am at work help??  I don't want to put her thru surgery again unless I have to and if I have to amputate, I want to do what is best for her so she does not have to. 

If you have an experience with this, would you please share.  I just want to do what is best for Libby.

How old is Libby?  That she would chew her tail down to the bone concerns me, because that sounds like it was more than just trying to get the bandage off, and makes me wonder if she could be having referred spinal or hip pain that's stimulating the nerves of the tail and causing her to chew the tail to seek relief... If that's what's behind her damaging her tail to that extent, she'll keep trying to relieve the sensation by chewing whatever's left of her tail after amputation unless the root of the problem is resolved. 

Tail wounds are hard to get healed, in part because it's hard to protect the tail from banging against things and reopening the wound or sutured area... And with you working two hours away from home, that leaves a lot of time for her to bother the tail again, even if you were to have the amputation done.  Would it be possible to drop her off at the vet's in the morning and have them observe her for a few days until the present damage has had some time to heal a bit better?  Some vets will do 'day boarding' for pets that need observation while the owner is at work, and that might be the best route to go for Libby, whether she needs the amputation or not, to give the damaged tail it's best shot at healing. 

Hexe had a cyst on her tail when she was a yearling, and after keeping it bandaged for a day, we removed the dressings and made a padded protective 'cast' for the area that worked out well and didn't bother or annoy her. Used a piece of that styrofoam insulation tubing used to slip over water pipes to keep them from freezing.  Measured out how long we wanted the cast to be, marked on the tubing where the incision site would be located and then cut out a hole large enough to keep the foam tube from putting any pressure on the wound or it's edges.  The back side of the tubing is pre-slit so you can slip it over pipes, which also allowed us to spread the cast open and place it around the tail. Poked holes on either side of the slit to permit a shoelace to be threaded through it, so it could be secured once it was on the tail. Using VetWrap, wrapped the tail--loosely but firmly--starting a few inches above the wound, ending a few inches below it, but being careful to avoid actually covering the wound with the VetWrap; this keeps the tubing from slipping once it's on the tail. 

Hope things improve for Libby and she recovers from this soon.

Not uncommon for females to chew a wound to the bone. It itches and they are cleanly and they just keep at it., licking unknowlngly on and on till flesh comes off., after they tear off the bandages..Dogs do not like bandages or foreign things on their bodies.

Some vets make  their own cone out of a large bucket , hole in middle , with lots of cushion and duck tape. Have to keep eye on it so not to slit the throat..If hole is only barely large enough to get on, dog will not get off.

Funny site to see a dog trying to drink with a bucket on her head..bumping into things until they get the hang of it.

Her nickname becomes " Buckethead"

lmd