Bleeding Tail...thyroid?

• Bleeding Tail...thyroid? jetty Posted : 9/29/2006 4:06:02 PM A friend of mine has a 2 year old Std. Poodle. In August, his tail started bleeding for what seemed like no reason.  He was taken to the vet, cleaned up and sent on his way.  His tail has been kept shaved so she can see if the bump/spot goes away.  It hasn't and has randomly started bleeding over the past couple of months - he has been on antibiotics for 6 weeks (I don't know which one, I only know it is NOT clavamox).  The vet is now saying that its probably not the right antibiotic and is suggesting this: Canine Thyroid Profile (FT4EqD) and sample collection $146.28 Quote for Hospitalization, intravenous catheter, sedation with reversal, skin biopsy and histopathology $418.80   Does this sound normal/right?  Is there anything else he should be testing for?   Her poodle came from a not so good breeder, he did have a seizure as a puppy (when he was overstressed/excited) and has been overvaccinated (he's received all the recommended vaccines in the 5 or 7 in one shot).  He is not on any meds, he's given revolution which apparently irritates him (and he still got ticks), I suggested she try Wellness in early summer but he had bad poops and is back on Eukanuba.  From what I saw, I don't think his poops were ever normal - pretty soft and yellow in colour.   Overall not a very healthy boy right now   Any help would be appreciated!     LIKE 9 REPLIES 459 VIEWS LAST POST XEBBY Like Share You have posted to a forum that requires a moderator to approve posts before they are publicly available. Hey, it's way more fun when you sign up or log in Connect With Connect With Sign Up Login
• cakana Posted : 9/29/2006 4:21:57 PM Quote for Hospitalization, intravenous catheter, sedation with reversal, skin biopsy and histopathology $418.80   Costs seem reasonable, but is there a reason that they need to hospitalize for the biopsy?  I had most of this done last spring on my lab, Sassy, and they were able to give her a light sedation to get the punch biopsies and she was able to walk out (groggily) 20-30 min's later.  I'd push for that instead of full anesthesia and hospitilization.  As for testing the thyroid, I think that's an excellent idea.  I'd forgotten, but last summer (2005) Sassy had developed this really strange patch of missing fur on her tail too.  I knew the term "rat tail" and it's relation to thyroid problems, but wasn't sure that's what she had.  I did know she had many other signs of being hypothyroid though and sure enough, when we tested her last Sept., she was super low.  After a short time on meds, her fur filled in everywhere, including the patch on her tail. 0 LIKE Like Share You have posted to a forum that requires a moderator to approve posts before they are publicly available. Hey, it's way more fun when you sign up or log in Connect With Connect With Sign Up Login
• Pam Posted : 9/29/2006 4:22:58 PM What kind of tail is it? Long, docked,etc?  Where is the wound?   My bulldog had an infection in her corkswrew tail.  It was oozong yellow pus stuff.  Vet gave us this blue stuff to clean it with every day and Clavamox for 2 weeks.  Also panalog ointment.  It healed fine.   I am also boosting her immune sysstem with DMG from the health food store.  She is on one of the best foods Innova Puppy and canned EVO.   Eukanuba is awful food, it made one of my dogs go bald.  CHange to a better food like Solid Gold, Eagle, Canidae, Natures Variety, Innova.    I would put vitamin E (open a capusule and rub on) on the sore, Vit E (400 mg) in her food, some roasted garlic in her food, a good multivitiamin like Solid Gold Seameal.  I've been putting virgin coconut oil on my new dogs leg wounds.  It is antibacterial/fungal. 0 LIKE Like Share You have posted to a forum that requires a moderator to approve posts before they are publicly available. Hey, it's way more fun when you sign up or log in Connect With Connect With Sign Up Login
• jetty Posted : 9/29/2006 4:24:04 PM I forgot to mention, he is not bleeding on the tip of his tail - its right on the curve, so he isn't hitting against something.  He cannot reach it to chew either.  Also his energy level is "normal" for him - it doesn't take much to tire him out (usually 15-30 minutes of frisbee is enough per day).  On the weekend when he spends the time off-leash at their cottage, he doesn't want to walk for the next 3 days. So clearly, not normal activity level for most dogs or poodles but normal in as much as he's always been like that!   0 LIKE Like Share You have posted to a forum that requires a moderator to approve posts before they are publicly available. Hey, it's way more fun when you sign up or log in Connect With Connect With Sign Up Login
• jetty Posted : 9/29/2006 4:30:55 PM Thanks for the quick replies - I am forwarding everything as I have no clue about thyroid problems! I am glad this is the right thing to do - I wasn't sure why they didn't just do a normal CBC first but it sounds like they are on the right track!  I will stress that he shouldn't need hospitilization (if they mean to keep him overnight) - I don't think that would be necessary either! His tail didn't ooze anything except blood - it looks like a small cut/scab but it will start bleeding randomly.  I wish she would switch or try homecooked - I gave her all my dog nutrition books/info but she doesn't have the time or believe that commercial diets are bad[] 0 LIKE Like Share You have posted to a forum that requires a moderator to approve posts before they are publicly available. Hey, it's way more fun when you sign up or log in Connect With Connect With Sign Up Login
• Xebby Posted : 9/29/2006 4:41:07 PM ORIGINAL: Hollysmom Vet gave us this blue stuff   By any chance could that blue stuff be Novalsan or known chemically as [linkfficial&sa=X&oi=spell&resnum=0&ct=result&cd=1&q=chlorhexidine+solution&spell=1]chlorhexidine>http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&hs=rq4&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-USfficial&sa=X&oi=spell&resnum=0&ct=result&cd=1&q=chlorhexidine+solution&spell=1]chlorhexidine solution[/link]?  If that#%92s what it is then it#%92s a steral cleaning agent similar to iodine.  Just curious If I'm thinking about the same thing.   Now to do any prcedure that requires a catheter a good starting price would be around $300 then you'll be looking to pay anouther $200 for whatever else needs to be done.  I would agree that that is a reasonable price for this type of procedure.  Usally if the dog requires a catheter then the vet will keep it overnight.  Sounds like this is not a simple Bx and needs that extra attention.  I'm guessing the fact that this dog did have seizures in the past is why the vet wants to take the extra care in dealing with this issue. 0 LIKE Like Share You have posted to a forum that requires a moderator to approve posts before they are publicly available. Hey, it's way more fun when you sign up or log in Connect With Connect With Sign Up Login
• jetty Posted : 9/29/2006 5:13:36 PM Thanks! Price isn't really an issue, I just wanted to paste his exact email so I wouldn't miss anything.  I have been trying to gather information about thyroid problems and will email it all to her tonight! 0 LIKE Like Share You have posted to a forum that requires a moderator to approve posts before they are publicly available. Hey, it's way more fun when you sign up or log in Connect With Connect With Sign Up Login
• kennel_keeper Posted : 9/29/2006 5:30:39 PM intravenous catheter ...   All this is, is a simple IV, which doesn't require an overnight stay. They would use this to administer the general anesthesia and fluids. I also, don't see anything that would warrant an overnight stay. I believe that I would start with the Thyroid panel and see what that turns up, then if it comes back normal, go with the biopsy (with mild sedation). Really, the things that are listed for the money all relate to the taking of a specimen (biopsy) and testing it. What exactly are they going to biopsy? Is there a lump or knot that is opening up and bleeding?   Hopes and prayers that your friend's pupper can get straightened out [] 0 LIKE Like Share You have posted to a forum that requires a moderator to approve posts before they are publicly available. Hey, it's way more fun when you sign up or log in Connect With Connect With Sign Up Login
• dvet Posted : 9/29/2006 7:03:55 PM havn't read the psot but I can see no connection between the thyropid and the bleeding tail...Any tail that bleeds has to be bandaged to endhance the healing..the centrifigul force on a waggin gtail is really tremendouc and the sore has to be covered and protected from the force and hitting on objects. 0 LIKE Like Share You have posted to a forum that requires a moderator to approve posts before they are publicly available. Hey, it's way more fun when you sign up or log in Connect With Connect With Sign Up Login
• Xebby Posted : 9/30/2006 10:17:42 AM None of us have actually seen this dog and we can not make a judgment based on what was stated above, there may be more then what was mentioned and only the vet who saw that dog can make the call on what the dog needs.  If the OP's friend is does not agree with this vet then I would suggest getting a secound openion from anouther vet.   I know my vet will require any animal that needs an IV catheter to stay overnight regardless of the condition of the animal.  Some vets will send the animal home the same day.  Mine just likes to take that extra care to observe the recovery of the animal.  I guess it just depends on the condition of the animal and what the vet prefers.  0 LIKE Like Share You have posted to a forum that requires a moderator to approve posts before they are publicly available. Hey, it's way more fun when you sign up or log in Connect With Connect With Sign Up Login