Docked Tails-Stitch vs Cauterization

[BamaFan121s]

Just a question for other breeders, something that has me curious. When you dock, or have the tails docked, do you have them stiched, or cauterized. Presuming that a vet does it, are you given a choice?
Have you ever had a problem with one method that you think could have been avoided by the other?
Any comments regarding this are appreciated. (PLEASE don't let this turn into a argument about ethics!)

[Mardelin]

Originally Posted by BamaFan121s

Just a question for other breeders, something that has me curious. When you dock, or have the tails docked, do you have them stiched, or cauterized. Presuming that a vet does it, are you given a choice?
Have you ever had a problem with one method that you think could have been avoided by the other?
Any comments regarding this are appreciated. (PLEASE don't let this turn into a argument about ethics!)

I use blood stop/liquid adhesive that I get from my Vet. Never had a problem

[Peters]

i really don't know anything about this but i will ask my sister in law about it she works at a vet's office here in alabama!

[Sugar's Mom]

We did our puppy ourselves and never stitched or anything. We did put some "Quick Stop' for the blood on and she never made a sound. My husband is experienced in doing this. her little tail was healed in a couple of days and looks like it was always that short. but I think we might have left it just a tad too long. i was trying for a fourth inch below the gold spot.

[sylvan]

no stitch no cauterization. Clamp and twist and I have clotisol on hand for bleeding....though it's usually minimal or non existent with the tails. Method leaves a very clean finish with hardly any scabbing. Last one I did woke with one whimper/startle when I set the clamp and went right back to sleep before I was even finished.

[Breny]

I was going to ask if anyone does them their selves. I see some do. I don't know if I could ever do it....(geesh I'm still not up to giving a shot) BUT...is there a lot of blood? I'm so scared it hurts them! I guess if I bred for years though and could handle it, and knew what I was doing...I'd do it myself. Again...only if I could handle it. I'm pretty much a whimp.

[ButterflyYorkie]

Originally Posted by Breny

I was going to ask if anyone does them their selves. I see some do. I don't know if I could ever do it....(geesh I'm still not up to giving a shot) BUT...is there a lot of blood? I'm so scared it hurts them! I guess if I bred for years though and could handle it, and knew what I was doing...I'd do it myself. Again...only if I could handle it. I'm pretty much a whimp.

Breny,
I do my own. I didn't for a few years but I was allowed to stand on the sideline and eventually assist my vet several times before I built my confidence to do it myself. Now days I am thankful I can because I can dock to the length that I desire. I have had some "mistakes" by vets in the past going too short. I hate a "nub".

There is rarely any bleeding at all when you do the clamp and twist method. Honestly, hardly any bleeding at all. If there is of bit of bleeding in a rare case, a little styptic powder watered down with some warm water and a Q-tip will stop it immediately. Then the vet bond (or preferred brand) of bleed stop and seal glue is applied. I would actually prefer my vet do my tails, but after a couple of different situations where I was not getting my length of tail left to what I wanted even when I was standing right there, I have opted to do my own from here own out.

[Mardelin]

Originally Posted by ButterflyYorkie

Breny,
I do my own. I didn't for a few years but I was allowed to stand on the sideline and eventually assist my vet several times before I built my confidence to do it myself. Now days I am thankful I can because I can dock to the length that I desire. I have had some "mistakes" by vets in the past going too short. I hate a "nub".

There is rarely any bleeding at all when you do the clamp and twist method. Honestly, hardly any bleeding at all. If there is of bit of bleeding in a rare case, a little styptic powder watered down with some warm water and a Q-tip will stop it immediately. Then the vet bond (or preferred brand) of bleed stop and seal glue is applied. I would actually prefer my vet do my tails, but after a couple of different situations where I was not getting my length of tail left to what I wanted even when I was standing right there, I have opted to do my own from here own out.

Same here. Vets don't go to school learn the specifics on tail docking lengths for each individual breed. So, by learning how to do them yourself, you have control of the length.

At times there is a little bleeding and you may have a little yelp. But, it's minimal

[Dougal&Little]

In New Zealand they use rubber bands. A vet will put a rubber band tightly around the tail between two of the vertebrae and after a few days the tail just drops off. No blood no nothing. But if you don't get the band in the right place seriously bad things can happen!

(I think the method is developed from docking lambs.)

[BamaFan121s]

Originally Posted by Dougal&Little

In New Zealand they use rubber bands. A vet will put a rubber band tightly around the tail between two of the vertebrae and after a few days the tail just drops off. No blood no nothing. But if you don't get the band in the right place seriously bad things can happen!

Some people do that here..but I'm 99.9% sure that it is actually illegal. (considered animal cruelty) Ah but that's opening the door for an ethics battle, so I won't go into that. Interesting though...thanks!

[kitty]

My vet does my pups tails. He always asks me where I want the tail docked so I never have a problem with the length. He does put a few stiches in them.

[YorkieRose]

Clamp and twist..no need for either..I do not like the way SOME tail hair grows back when stitched or cauterized..

[Lacy's Mom]

My vet is really knowledgeable about tail docking lengths and such. I tried to talk him into using the hemostat pinch and twist method and he wouldn't because he said he had done this is the past and it sometimes causes a bald spot on the tip of the tail??? Anyway, he said he prefers to use scissors and he scrunches back the skin before cutting so he has plenty of skin to cover the remaining tail and just puts 1 or maybe 2 stitches. Definitely, don't have the "guts" to do it myself - I don't even remain in the room when it's being done!

[feminvstr]

Originally Posted by sylvan

no stitch no cauterization. Clamp and twist and I have clotisol on hand for bleeding....though it's usually minimal or non existent with the tails. Method leaves a very clean finish with hardly any scabbing. Last one I did woke with one whimper/startle when I set the clamp and went right back to sleep before I was even finished.

Using a Misquito Clamp and twist is the best, safest way, less pain and gives the cleanest finish (no need for a stitch or a rubber band). Also same with the dewclaws clamp and remove the nail with your thumb nail.

Dab the areas with Kwik stop gel formula with benzocaine.

I swore I would never do my own made my toes curl just the thought of it...until Debbie Ray taught me, I can't thank her enough, it is so easy, least pain and better for the pups than any other method.

[Sugar's Mom]

Originally Posted by BamaFan121s

Some people do that here..but I'm 99.9% sure that it is actually illegal. (considered animal cruelty) Ah but that's opening the door for an ethics battle, so I won't go into that. Interesting though...thanks!

i don't know why it is illegal. being a retired R.N., I can tell you a lot of surgeons use this techniqque on hemmoroids. (more info than you wanted, I bet LOL)