Docked Tails-Stitch vs Cauterization

[MinMuf1]

Okay, sorta back to the subject... Between which vertebra (sp?) or joint is the correct length to doc? I have one that looks like she has way too much tail when compared to my other two... Just wondering.

[Mardelin]

Originally Posted by MinMuf1

Okay, sorta back to the subject... Between which vertebra (sp?) or joint is the correct length to doc? I have one that looks like she has way too much tail when compared to my other two... Just wondering.

1/4 inch above the tan. However, it is a matter of the breeder's preferance. Some may go longer.

[BamaFan121s]

Reason I asked is this: I have our vet dock the tails on our pups. (Not saying I will never do it myself, just not at the moment.) She prefers cauterize and asked if I was OK with that, which I was...I am...anyway--My Trixie had a stitch when her tail was docked as a pup. 2 days later, the stitch was pulled loose somehow overnight and long story short, infection set up that couldn't be cleared and she had to have more removed ultimately--not alot, but enough to result in a "nub." Her breeder stopped using the stitch method then.

I just wanted to get some pros and cons to each method...see if there was any reason why I might consider another method instead. That's all. Thanks to all those who have answered so far.

[YorkieRose]

If you do use stitches, dunk their tails in peroxide each day until healed..

[Lacy's Mom]

Originally Posted by YorkieRose

If you do use stitches, dunk their tails in peroxide each day until healed..

I seldom disagree with YorkieRose, but in this case hydrogen peroxide will delay healing not promote healing.

Information for cleaning cuts and wounds (for people and animals):

What you should NOT use is alcohol or Hydrogen Peroxide. You can use either of them (diluted at 50%) for an occasional cleaning but both of these products are too harsh for daily use in healing wounds. Hydrogen Peroxide was once used for these types of wounds for it's debriding ability, however, since about 1996 the course has changed and wound care specialists have come to realize that too much tissue damage occurs to healthy cells that are needed for wound healing when Hydrogen Peroxide is used. HP is considered "cytotoxic", meaning deadly to cells, thus it actually inhibits wound healing. Unfortunately, many doctors and nurses and are not informed that HP is no longer recommended for wound healing and they give their patients instructions that actually SLOW DOWN the healing process.

[Peters]

ok here's what sisinalw told me when i asked she has never heard of anyone doing Cauterization it would not heal correctly the skin would seperate they sticth the tails wih about 2 stitches. rubberbands on tails, in the usa that's pretty much cruelty and just mean yuck.

[Breny]

For those who dock and dewclaw them selves....how long (or how many litters did you have) before you started doing it on your own.

Was your first time easy? Or was it dramatizing?

[JCarlson2004]

I'm not a breeder and I know nothing of tail docking but I just wanted to say that I found this thread very informative.

[Dorianyorkie]

I think breeders should consider stop docking the tail. I do not believe it is necessary. And I recently saw a Yorkie with a long tail. She was soooooo cute. Her tail looked like a flag. Is that true that in Europe they do not dock tails anymore?

[BamaFan121s]

Originally Posted by Dorianyorkie

I think breeders should consider stop docking the tail. I do not believe it is necessary. And I recently saw a Yorkie with a long tail. She was soooooo cute. Her tail looked like a flag. Is that true that in Europe they do not dock tails anymore?

*sigh* Yes, in Europe they do not dock anymore. Do a search on the subject and you'll see maaaany threads about the subject...most of which have been closed.

Peters--what did she mean by "separate?"

[Wrenee4]

Originally Posted by YorkieRose

I have never had a bald spot form when using a clamp..the end is crushed..but I have seen Min Pins with bald spots..they breeder cut and did not stitch..I would certainly use a stitch if I were cutting as I did years ago.

I agree!! I have had my puppies cut and they had bad balding on the end. Since we changed vets and they do the twisting we have never had any balding or bleeding!