Quote:
Originally Posted by nlb1947  Hi all,
I have an issue with my Jilly's tail, and it is going to be docked after her birthday. (My vet said to wait so that she will look pretty for her party pics - LOL)
Long story short, the breeder I got her from did not dock the tails because she wanted to go with UK standards. Jilly is a parti-color, she is my baby - not a show dog - so I was going to leave it as it is. My groomer has her sister, Mia, and Mia carries her tail up over her back, much like my Maltese and Shih Tzu do. Jilly, however doesn't. She carries it down and at a weird angle most of the time, even though she can carry it up. The issues are that it is a "poop catcher/magnet" - which I could deal with - but mainly that she HATES her tail! My vet doesn't think that it hurts her, and it does not appear to have been broken before I got her, but she truly detests it! It isn't normal "chasing the tail" play - she out and out would like to have it gone. I have talked to my vet, and she agreed that we should do it after her birthday.
I am looking for advice as to how long it should be, as my vet said that it is my choice. My Molly - who is at Rainbow Bridge - was docked when I got her, and I would just like some input as to how long I should leave it. She is quite small - five pounds on an extra cookie day - and petite.
I hate to put her through the surgery, but my vet assures me that it won't be horrible for her, and because of how much it irritates her, this is the best thing to do. She said that the recovery time will be short and waiting until after her birthday is for cosmetic reasons only because the hair won't have grown back yet. (Her birthday is Feb 12).
Does anybody have any ideas for me?
Thanks so much.
Nancy
Sara, Manny, and Jilly |
I am so, so sorry that your little girl is going to have to go through all this
I promise I'm not being anti - just cautionary.
Many years ago we had a Boxer with a long tail (before it was 'the norm' in the UK). She broke her tail, and had to have the amputation. You could then see the white, bone end of the nub.
She was on antibiotics, pain meds etc. and also had to wear a lampshade collar for many weeks. The hair eventually grew over the end of the nub - but she never, ever forgot what was missing - a bit like a human with an amputated leg that itches.
She used to carry on at it and lick it...and time after time we had to return to the vet because it was raw or bleeding - it was heart-wrenching, but we had no choice.
There's good and bad in every scenario - I'm sorry but I just had to let you know our experience. Sally + Harry x