Tail amputation

lee111s

He's back home now and getting on fine. Been well looked after with pieces of cheese and hotdogs (his favourites!) Had a couple of portions of scrambled egg which were pretty much inhaled so there's nothing wrong with his appetite.

Been whimpering all night but I think it's because he doesn't like the lampshade on his head! Vet has done a very neat job of his tail, so sad seeing his little stump wiggle though!

I'll pop a picture up tomorrow when he eventually lies still, been a hooligan all night, not what I expected after an anesthetic!

Thanks for all your concerns and well wishes!

lee111s

BJV wrote: »

Ooh Bless he is beautiful poor thing.

I don't know anything about docking tails sorry. i never knew it was such a problem. Charlie was a rescue puppy in that my friend knew a farmer who has springers for working dogs ( so his tail was already docked ) Charlie was the runt. Really really tiny so tiny they could not work him. So like any other piece of farm equipment if it will not work they get rid. So they where going to destroy him.

He was in a state we think just only just 8 weeks old, so tiny he was just bigger than palm of my hand. He looked half dead.

Hence the 20 min mad dash to collect him. then to the vets. Who after a couple of weeks said said he was perfect if not a little small. He has made up for it and eats like a horse and is almost standard size now.

That said at this age they are so adaptable that I am sure that your little one will be fine and that it will be harder for you to see him like that.

What is he eating ? Dry or wet food?

Have you tried brushing his teeth yet?

Well hey its been a difficult day for you and Lenny so hope you are both ok.

Bless him, sounds like you've got a corker. I love hearing stories of dogs that have been brought back from the brink...my grandparents collie was found bagged in a skip

He's on the James Wellbeloved puppy food at the moment. He was on hills natures best but he was so itchy. The vet suggested trying a different food but it turns out he has juvenile impetigo which was the reason for the scratching so I'll he mixing the two foods. He's had some steroid and antibiotic injections and the itching stopped within and hour and the redness is calming down.

I'm going to get a baby toothbrush this weekend but I don't think I'll have any problems as he doesn't mind my hands in his mouth when he's eating something he shouldn't!

lee111s

Here he is watching me work feeling very sorry for himself. He's done nothing but sleep all day!

oldtractor

All this is why I support docking. My JRT is docked. Done by the vet legally as he is a working dog.

lee111s

That's fair play, my dog was expected to be sold as a pet so the breeder didn't dock them at birth. I wouldn't have been fussed if he was because I know the problems that tails can cause! I know when I buy my next spaniel, I'll be looking for a one that has already been docked

BJV

Oh Poor thing he looks so fed. Hope he is feeling better. Give him a couple of days and he will be bounding around and nine million miles per hours as normal.

BJV

P.s good luck with the tooth brush. Charlie was the same we tried really hard to make sure that he was fine with touching well almost everywhere yet he still does not like it. Just about lets us do it but not a happy bunny!

The vet said to try just letting him lick the tooth paste to begin with so he could get used to the taste which was fine it is just the brush that he is not so keen on.

Strange really he loves to chew almost anything else lol!

hmc

Ahh bless!

BJV

Can I ask how did you get Lenny to sleep through?

We all love Charlie so much but it is hard that he is nearly six months old and still waking up at least twice during the night. Even my two children where sleeping through at this age.

We have tried everything. The don't speak don't talk just let him out then settle him down but nothing seems to work.

We do not want to undo the house training by ignoring him but equally we are both shattered?

P.s Hope Lenny is feeling better today and healing nicely x

lee111s

He still can't hold his bladder right through the night. I'm up to leaving him for 4 hours. I go to bed at 11 and get him up at 3 for a wee. Sometimes he's bursting and can't get out of the crate quick enough, other nights I literally have to carry him to the back door. I don't speak to him, just out wee and he trotts back off to his crate. I get him up at half 7 and he's not wee'd in his crate for over a month now. I increase the time I leave him by about 20-30 minutes a week so I'm hoping by about 16 weeks he should be able to go almost the full night!

Do you have him in a crate? I was always going to have a crate for him, even though I work from home I still need to have a life and didn't want him wrecking the house when I go out for a few hours.

I also stop his water from 9pm and then don't let him out for a wee until the last minute before bed. Outside, wee then straight into his crate.

He's still feeling sorry for himself and has been trying to chew his tail a bit but he can't with the cone around his neck Althought I've given him a bit of restbite from it today while I can keep an eye on him so he can have a comfy sleep! He's still not his usual bouncy playful self, been very sleepy and cuddly yesterday and today but he's still eating so I'm not too concerned. Will mention it to the vet tomorow when he goes in for his post op check!