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amputation
November 2009 
A dog's Tail
Posted on Aug 17th, 2009
by 
jodi
jodi
My English Pointer, Pinga, has what is refered to as: "Happy Tail"
This means that she wags her tail SO enthusiastically and hard that she keeps breaking the skin on the tip. This doesn't heal because she repeatedly wound herself on the same spot on her tail.
On Friday (3 days ago) I noticed that it was looking really bad. The end was a little black (usually pink) and I assumed that it was a scab. So I read up what to do to bind it properly to protect the tail from more damage and to give it some time to heal properly. I found some advise on the internet that recommended using pipe insulation to protect, air and cushion the wound.
So I proceeded to disinfect the wound and put the pipe insulation around her tail and bandage over it, as suggested.
Last night (Sunday night) her tail was obviously hurting badly. I stuck my finger down the open end of the insulation pipe to make and gently touched the end of her tail. No reaction. I touched her above the pipe insulation and she cringed in pain. I knew something was very wrong. So my husband and I immediately removed the bandage and insulation. about 5 cm of the end of her tail had gone completely black. I panicked. But cleaned it again. My husband phoned the animal hospital's emergency line (it was midnight already) The vet suggested we give her some asprin for the pain and take her in first thing in the morning.
Unfortunately Pinga has developed gangrene in her tail and is in for an emergency tail docking, as we speak.
Obviously I have the usual tension that goes with leaving your 'baby' in the hands of someone else. I feel sad, worried and stressed. But I know this is the only way.I also feel guilty for not noticing it sooner.
I can't wait for her to come home. The waiting is very difficult.
I have found out that many hunting dogs like German Pointers and Weimeraners have their tails docked from birth. Not full docking, but still... And that the main reason is preventing this situation from happening. It is much more traumatic for the dog to have it's tail docked as an adult. English pointers do not have their tails docked, usually, as they have naturally shorter tails.
I have always been against tail docking. I have always felt that it limits a dogs communication skills. That it is cruel. Although this situation Pinga is in is different, because it is medically necessary, and she will keep most of her tail... I was wondering what your opinions were an the matter?
This means that she wags her tail SO enthusiastically and hard that she keeps breaking the skin on the tip. This doesn't heal because she repeatedly wound herself on the same spot on her tail.
On Friday (3 days ago) I noticed that it was looking really bad. The end was a little black (usually pink) and I assumed that it was a scab. So I read up what to do to bind it properly to protect the tail from more damage and to give it some time to heal properly. I found some advise on the internet that recommended using pipe insulation to protect, air and cushion the wound.
So I proceeded to disinfect the wound and put the pipe insulation around her tail and bandage over it, as suggested.
Last night (Sunday night) her tail was obviously hurting badly. I stuck my finger down the open end of the insulation pipe to make and gently touched the end of her tail. No reaction. I touched her above the pipe insulation and she cringed in pain. I knew something was very wrong. So my husband and I immediately removed the bandage and insulation. about 5 cm of the end of her tail had gone completely black. I panicked. But cleaned it again. My husband phoned the animal hospital's emergency line (it was midnight already) The vet suggested we give her some asprin for the pain and take her in first thing in the morning.
Unfortunately Pinga has developed gangrene in her tail and is in for an emergency tail docking, as we speak.
Obviously I have the usual tension that goes with leaving your 'baby' in the hands of someone else. I feel sad, worried and stressed. But I know this is the only way.I also feel guilty for not noticing it sooner.
I can't wait for her to come home. The waiting is very difficult.
I have found out that many hunting dogs like German Pointers and Weimeraners have their tails docked from birth. Not full docking, but still... And that the main reason is preventing this situation from happening. It is much more traumatic for the dog to have it's tail docked as an adult. English pointers do not have their tails docked, usually, as they have naturally shorter tails.
I have always been against tail docking. I have always felt that it limits a dogs communication skills. That it is cruel. Although this situation Pinga is in is different, because it is medically necessary, and she will keep most of her tail... I was wondering what your opinions were an the matter?
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Dear Jodi, do not agree to cut any part of one animals' body because it has to be like that. My 2 poodles lost their tails, but for the first one I was too young to know what they do and also horrified how they did it (not even with pain killers, the dog and I almost passed out), and for the second one I was not there (this is another long story, my parents took the dog away from me, because they did not want him, and the new owners cut his tail, but finally got him back after few weeks). Your Pinga is hurt right now and if there is no other solution to keep her tail because this is what they say, I do not know. She will be okay, is not a complicated procedure, but as an act, my opinion is, if not needed, do not do it. Hold you both in Light! ((()))
Hello Asteri,
I agree with you.
Unfortunately in Pinga's case the gangrene is spreading very fast and they have to remove the dead part of her tail. Otherwise it will be life threatening. She is having a full operation and it is not being removed in a cruel way. The vet said she would luckily keep most of her tail. The vet is only removing about 13 cm.
She also said that this was the only option otherwise she, too, would have rather opted for a non surgical method of treatment.
So. I am very sad. But this is what has to happen so that Pinga can be back to her happy, friendly, healthy self again. She will also be in less pain in the long run, as, in the past, her tail was always hurting and bleeding.
But if it is purely cosmetic… I think it is completely wrong. It limits a dog. It limits communication with other dogs. So, I completely agree with you that it is cruel.
Thanks so much for you comment!
The best to your dear doggie!
Thank you Cindy! Can't wait till she's home again. They kept her overnight for observation.
hugs to you and beautiful Pinga…
Hugs (((())))
Thanks Nikki, Asteri and Cindy.
We just fetched her from the hospital. She is so great already. Happy and almost back to her old self. Already playing in the garden…
Thanks again for all the support, I really needed it and it helped me so much. **HUGS**
Our Vizsla, has a half tail. The reason for docking a hunting dog's tail is because it will often become injured when they are out in the field hunting. They run through the brush and their tail will split. With a half tail she can still do her tail wagging thing letting us know how happy she is.
Sometimes I kinda wish I had a tail.
Hope your doggie recovers and brings you nice Christmas licks.
(Cool boots.)
wonderful!!!
:)
IN JOY!!
Jodi & Pinga is back together; yay!
:)
Jodi - I am holding Light (heart-based intent) for Pinga and asking for restorative blessings.
Thanks JW!
Yes. I now understand why they dock gundogs' tails. Pinga hurt her tail running through bushes after guinea fowl and pheasants. She wagged it so much it kept breaking open and eventually got badly infected.
You have such a beautiful vizsla!
I decided, when I was a child, that I do have a tail… it is just invisible ;) now Pinga's is too…
Cindy and Nikki: :D yay!!
Laurie: Thank you so much wonderful friend. She already seems much better… It is so wonderful to know you are thinking of her. :)