SearchContinued from "incorrectly docked tail"
I took Shelbi's bandage off Saturday, and she looked a ther tail and had this true look of horror on her face. I guess she did not even realize there was anything different with her tail. Please remember that she was fixed at the same time. She went truly nutty trying to lick and bite at the stitches. She even growled at me for making her stop. I had to take her back to the vet and they re-wrapped the tail and now she is fine again. She left the tail alone the rest of Sat, Sun, and up to lunch today. I will know more when I get home in about an hour.
They did give me the "Cone of Shame" if I needed to use it, but after having to wear that stupid thing during both ear cropping surgeries, I absolutely do not want to use it if it is not absolutely necessary.
I will say that the surgery appears to have been a success even with the bandage she is able to sit all the way down now, and does it quite frequently on her own without being asked. She did not do that before she stood or she laid down. Also, the appearance of the tail is very nice, right now it looks flat at the end, but my vet says that once the stitches are removed it will round back out. Once the bandages come off permanently on Aug 30th (was able to move the appt. up a day) I will share some more photos. They will not be anything that anyone will be afraid to look at.
Just wanted to update and wanted to leave Meeska's post alone.
Hi Jerial13; you did the right thing for Shelby. She will be fine and better for it.
One note which I have learned recently from this board, do not stop examining her if she growls at you. You will be reinforcing aggressive behavior and forfeiting your dominant position. As others here have told me, the examination - or whatever you are doing - stops when you are finished and satisfied. Ginger was getting in the habit of growling and air or light biting when my husband and I tried to clip her nails or examine a paw that was bothering her recently. I had become somewhat afraid of her, because let's face it, flashing teeth are no picnic. Last time we clipped her nails and checked out her hurt paw, she got very upset, growled, and bit me three times (only one was slightly uncomfortable; she was mainly posturing). It was not fun, but I had to calmly and methodically persist to let her know that this was on my terms. And after a couple minutes of posturing, she stopped when she knew I was in control as was the perfect girl. You must be able to comfortably examine her if you ever need to, like if she is hurt or something is bothering her. This will help ensure that she doesn't do this at the vet, either.
Thanks Lady Kate, and thanks Gingersmommy.
I was not put back by her growling I still continued correcting her to leave the tail alone. Now we have removed the stitches from the belly, but the vet wanted to leave the stitches in the tail another week so that they could take longer to heal. He said that he wants to make sure it has healed completely before he removes the stitches. With the skin being pulled that tight around the end of the tail he does not want to take a chance of taking out the stitches and it coming apart, then we would have a real problem. She now leaves it alone about 95% of the time. We have an appt to have them taken out on Sept 7th. I will update then on her progress.
The stitches have been out for 3 days. Do you have any idea how difficult it is to get good photos of the end of a dobeys tail by yourself. I have added more pictures, but I must say they are not the best quality. I am happy with the results, but I am most happy to see my baby sit comfortably. The vet said that the hair will grow back where it is missing from the stitches.
Her hair will grow back. Over the scar area it will take a little longer. Red had a malignant tumor removed from the top of his tail midway between the tip and his rump. It took about six months before it started really filling in good over the surgical area. It has been two years now and there is only a little crease.
The vet took as much as he dared and left just enough to close and I was worried that it might come back, but so far it has not.
What a sweet and brave girl you have. She is growing up waaayyyy too fast...
Good job on her tail.. and LOVE the Booty Shot!!
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J~ That's great news.. It sounds like she's going to be just fine.. Lil gal has been through a lot hasn't she.. ( you too.. sometimes I think it's harder on the doberparents)
hugs and scritches to Sweet Shelbi