Uncle Fred is missing the end of his tail. There is a big ugly ball of scar tissue intstead of the tail tip. Usually he has this rough scaly scar there. When we first got him it kept getting red and weepy all the time. I asked my vet if he could neatly dock just the last inch of tail, and he said that in his experience that didn't work out well, and that if you attempt that in an adult dog they worry at it and it turns out no better than before.
He said if it was a big problem we should dock his tail SHORT. Uncle Fred seems to enjoy his tail. It is very expressive, and when he is happy he carries it like a flag. I am very reluctant to cut it off. I also think it would ruin how he looks (I am vain about him, I know). It has been healed and caused no trouble for months.
I was just congratulating myself on how we wouldn't have problems with it anymore and then this morning it was red and oozy again. He must have smacked it on something. It doesn't seem to be bothering him. When this happens I usually sneak up on him when he is sleeping and dunk the end in a Dixie cup of Betadine.
Any thoughts or suggestions? Anyone have experience with partially docking an adult dog tail? I warn you in advance I am not terribly receptive to the idea of chopping the whole thing off.
He said if it was a big problem we should dock his tail SHORT. Uncle Fred seems to enjoy his tail. It is very expressive, and when he is happy he carries it like a flag. I am very reluctant to cut it off. I also think it would ruin how he looks (I am vain about him, I know). It has been healed and caused no trouble for months.
I was just congratulating myself on how we wouldn't have problems with it anymore and then this morning it was red and oozy again. He must have smacked it on something. It doesn't seem to be bothering him. When this happens I usually sneak up on him when he is sleeping and dunk the end in a Dixie cup of Betadine.
Any thoughts or suggestions? Anyone have experience with partially docking an adult dog tail? I warn you in advance I am not terribly receptive to the idea of chopping the whole thing off.