Dog Community

bump on tail

Posted : 12/29/2006 2:32:31 PM

About 6 weeks ago I posted Zoe had a bump on her tail. I took her to the vet who said it may be nothing, it may be something. He said watch it 2 weeks and call me back and let me know if it changed at all. I did, and he said keep an eye on it (it had not changed). Now, I called for something else and mentioned the bump on the tail is still the same size, perhaps a bit smaller and he suggested I bring her in for him to look at it again. Now, last time he looked at it like 1 minute and told me I could have her put under for xrays if I wanted to, but instead told me to call him after watching it (as stated above). What could he possibly do at this appt. other than look at it for 1 min. and charge me $42?

It does not bother her, even if I touch it. She doesn't pay any attention to it and nothing about behavior etc. has changed. When it originally appeared, it happened literally overnight or even in less time than that while I had some people over. So, I think it may have gotten hit or something and broken a bone or something, but I also think that would hurt.

The bump is the size of a pea or smaller. Do you think it could be more serious? Should I have her see the vet again?

Here's the original pic. I think the bump is actually smaller now after looking at the pic.

zsrg;lb ksr'pfjsoprej dfsg;va bjpskopa]

Posted : 12/29/2006 2:39:53 PM

Rory has had some serious knots in her tail from wacking it on things. However her tail is lethal, sure to leave bruises on people's shins. She has broken it open several times adn we've had to wrap it.
I am assuming it is soemthing like that only because you say it dosnt botehr her if you touch it. I am not aware of any serious problems that can occur in a tail that result in what your for baby has but I do know it takes a long time to heal and it can develop a callus and stay for years like Rory's

Debbie R

Posted : 12/29/2006 4:58:30 PM

Trixie sprained her tail once and I am assuming it looked like that, because I couldn't see it w/ her fluffy tail. But she was in major pain, couldn't wag her tail, and when you touched it, she would let you know it hurt. The vet diagnosed it on touch, and I think it was better in two weeks. So I think you may have to go for the xray, mostly because it isn't hurting her, I would want it checked out.
I think the difference between Rory and Zoe is that Rory is a bully and their tolerance for pain is much bigger than say Trixie or Zoe, so I think Rory's was probably also sprained (by wagging and hitting it into walls and stuff) But I don't think a watch and see for another week or two will do any harm.

Melissia Goff

Posted : 12/29/2006 5:41:46 PM

Madi had her tail broke once when she had surgery in Chicago. BAD VET AND LONG STORY. After the surgery she would not let anyone touch her tail. Even now she is hesistant to let me brush it or wash it. Keep an eye on it. Yes, and it if worries you and you trust your vet, yes get it checked again. Then again do they cast a broken tail? Madi's was just wrapped.

janetmichel3009

Posted : 12/30/2006 2:07:29 PM

moca had a bumb like that on her back once. also didnt bother her and literaly apperared within a 20 min window.. it was a little bigger. i had the vet check it, and he had a name for it, but of course it was in chinese so i dunno. he explained to me, that the dog doesnt feel it, and the reason he knows it is harmless, is because when you touched it, it would sort of move under the skin, which means it wasn't in her muscle tissue. he said it needed no treatment, but if it got bigger it could be removed with minor surgery if it was a "beauty" issue. eventually it got smaller and dissapeared..

maybe it's the same thing, just on the tail... who knows...

Casey

Posted : 12/30/2006 4:01:45 PM

I used to ride a Thoroughbred mare with a thin tail (typical Thoroughbred off-track tail). She had a non-cancerous sarcoid in her tail that looked like what your dog has. It posed no threat to her health and she was a great ride. I've also seen dogs at my old job that have had those bumps from spraining or breaking their tail, although by the look of your picture I doubt your dog broke it since it is so low down. Could it just be a cartilage build up?

Edited to add the name of the type of sarcoid: Nodular sarcoid. Usually with this mare, if you rubbed the area around the sarcoid, it could be moved under the skin. Gross, but it helped the vet identify it. I don't even know if dogs get these honestly.

smilee1079

Posted : 12/30/2006 4:14:03 PM

My only concern would be if it is cancer or something that will endanger her. However, would cancer appear overnight and not grow over a month? If not, cosmetically I am not concerned and she is not in pain and the vet couldn't tell me anything else from looking at it the first time.