Dog Community

Urgent--Willow's hurt

Posted : 8/20/2006 1:30:04 PM

Hi everyone. Willow bit the tip of her tail and we had blood on the floor. I got it to stop and I cleaned it up as best as she would let me. I put an anti bacterial ointment on it from my pet first aid kit. It's still oozing and bleeding a little but it's not severe like it was. I looked at it and she's got a good puncture there, almost took the tip right off.

I don't know if I should call the vet or if there is anything they'd even be able to do.

Anyone have any suggestions?? She said not to laugh at her biting her own tail, she's stupid!

racuda

Posted : 8/20/2006 1:38:56 PM

I think you did the right thing and she will be fine. There's nothing the vet could do other than prescribe antibiotics which may not be needed since you attended to it right away.

Just keep an eye on the injury, making susre there is no sign of infection. Dogs are tough!

magilacudy

Posted : 8/20/2006 1:42:54 PM

Oh poor Willow, I would never laugh at you. I do some pretty stupid things too. I don't know what to tell ya to fix ur tail, but tell Ma to give ya a big kiss from me.

willowchow

Posted : 8/20/2006 1:56:21 PM

Thanks! I kind of figured there was nothing else that could be done but I was in a panic. It's frightening when you see blood.

I have another question. What could I put on it as far as anitbacterial onitments, Neosporin?? I used some iodine packets that were in my kit but they are small so I'm going to need something else. I don't know what I could use that I might have on hand already.

Lena (Penny Forever)

Posted : 8/20/2006 2:01:27 PM

Oh Willow Baby, you gotta stop trying to get mommies attention. Your gonna give mama a nervous breakdown.
Tender tail kisses to you.

glenmar

Posted : 8/20/2006 2:02:32 PM

She did WHAT??

Oh, Willow girl....you're goofy!

Sounds like you did everything right Lori. Just keep it clean and bandaged.....and that's a neat trick on a tail. When Duke (shepherd mix) got his tail shut in a door, we had to put a tube sock OVER the bandage and then tape that on to keep him from messing with it. Sure hope she's good with "leave it".

Now the question is WHY did she bite her tail? Flea or fly biting her maybe?

willowchow

Posted : 8/20/2006 2:10:57 PM

Now the question is WHY did she bite her tail? Flea or fly biting her maybe?

Nope. . .she heard someone coming up the stairs toward our apartment. She ran to the door growling and barking and "attacked" herself because she couldn't get to them.

Yup, I'd say "goofy" about describes her. This isn't the first time she's done this but it's definately the worst.

pofi_pasquale

Posted : 8/20/2006 2:29:58 PM

Ohhhhh, Willow. Mia catches her tail all the time, but she's not caught it as good as you did!

For what it is worth, I have both been advised it's safe to use Neosporin and not the best idea so if someone objects I'll certainly understand, but I've done it without any ill effect on the cats and dogs. I've put it on wounds where Pofi could presumably lick some off, but it's never had any negative consequence I could detect.

Benito also once manage to get a nasty wound on his forehead before he was my kitty - he was an indoor outdoor guy and we think he bumped against the hot tailpipe of a vehicle. It really seemed like a burn - we cleaned up and put Neosporin on it and he healed REMARKABLY fast.

Feel better soon, pretty blue girl!

nfowler

Posted : 8/20/2006 2:35:55 PM

Willow--

I mean this really for Willow. I have one little scab on my head that I keep picking, so there. You're no worse or better than me. After years of hiding it and not getting my hair done, I've accepted that I'm OCD and that's that.

From my pet emergency class, the Neosporin is good. She should be good as gold soon enough, and Lori, you're so good and observant, you'll see if she gets worse.

Enjoy you summer Sunday!

Benedict

Posted : 8/20/2006 2:43:30 PM

Oh Willow, that doesn't sound like much fun!

Lori, how is she doing?

Kate

Lynn

Posted : 8/20/2006 2:48:32 PM

Ouch! My vet said the the neosporin with pain relief could be used. The pain relief has a numbing agent and some dogs won't lick it because it makes their tongue go numb.

calliecritturs

Posted : 8/20/2006 2:52:29 PM

There is one of the three antibiotics in triple antibiotic ointment (like neosporin) that *can* be a problem, but it's pretty rare. Not only do I use Neosporin, I use the Neosporin "Plus" (with the pain reliever in it) that can help make them leave it alone better.

cakana

Posted : 8/20/2006 2:55:59 PM

Poor Willow. Don't you wonder what they think at times like that? Do they think "wow, that hurt! Why'd I go and do that to myself?"

The vet told me Neosporin was fine too. However, in Whole Dog Journal they have referred a few times to something called EMT Gel or EMT Spray and it sounds like it's almost like a liquid bandage. I'm not sure where you buy it, but after reading this, I'm going to try to find out and keep some on hand.

marynh

Posted : 8/20/2006 3:34:05 PM

tails always bleed bad (like a cut on the head). In an emergency you can use four or cornstarch to stop bleeding.
Sadie once had a wart thing on her tail break open and it bled horribly!! White dog, lots of blood = panic attack.
I didn't put anything on it, vet didn't give me antibiotics. They shaved the area and told me to keep it clean and dry, it healed up fine.

ladiebug

Posted : 8/20/2006 4:11:31 PM

My german shepherd rescue had to have a cable removed from his neck. When I got him, his neck looked like it had been fileted.
I rinsed it several times a day with water to keep dirt out, then every night before bed, I gooped on the Neosporin, really thick. He slept in his crate soundly all night. Today, you'd never know he was injured! (sorry can't seem to upload pics)