samearl14 11 Posted July 15, 2012 Report Share Posted July 15, 2012 Hi all, My little cocker Tilly has a full tail (due to a lazy breeder really even if he is my best mate...) Shes 14 months now and all pretty much all trained up and shes out with me either training or dogging in every night. Trouble is a couple of weeks back she cut her tail when working a hedge, i kept cleaning it and not letting her lick it but its not healing up because when she wags her tail and hits it on things it just starts bleeding again. Its not a huge cut but is annoying as it flicks blood around a bit sometimes. Cant bandage it, she'd just pull it off. Any ideas? Or anyone know a vet that would dock her to prevent repeat injuries? i know this is incredibly unlikely that any vet would due to her age. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
leegreen 2,100 Posted July 15, 2012 Report Share Posted July 15, 2012 Dock it, it will cost you though. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
gnipper 5,948 Posted July 15, 2012 Report Share Posted July 15, 2012 Most vets will dock it as its causing the dog discomfort and obviously not just for cosmetic reasons. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
paulus 26 Posted July 15, 2012 Report Share Posted July 15, 2012 theres a reason why tails are docked as youve found out, pitty the feckers that banned it didnt understand that. without a vet willing to do the operation your fecked. healing the tail is the easy part just do a search on here, but keeping it healed is another matter 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
samearl14 11 Posted July 16, 2012 Author Report Share Posted July 16, 2012 I wanted her to be docked but the breeder said he'd never had a problem with his 2 cockers with full tails so he didnt bother I wouldnt have another spaniel unless its been docked. The cost doesnt matter to me, she's becoming a good worker and she'll be worked a lot so i'd rather get her docked and be done with it. Now just need to find a vet thats willing. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
spec 45 Posted July 17, 2012 Report Share Posted July 17, 2012 my cocker had her tail amputated at 2yrs old at the end of the last shooting season for the same reasons you're describing. PM me if you want more info. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
samearl14 11 Posted July 22, 2012 Author Report Share Posted July 22, 2012 I took her to my vets and they were happy to amputate her tail...but the price was 430quid! A lot of money to justify spending. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
graham4877 1,181 Posted July 22, 2012 Report Share Posted July 22, 2012 I wanted her to be docked but the breeder said he'd never had a problem with his 2 cockers with full tails so he didnt bother I wouldnt have another spaniel unless its been docked. The cost doesnt matter to me, she's becoming a good worker and she'll be worked a lot so i'd rather get her docked and be done with it. Now just need to find a vet thats willing. bet he don't work his two tho.. just seams to look as if he works them.. plenty people say they work their dog and and bet half them don't even walk them! 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dawn B 212 Posted July 23, 2012 Report Share Posted July 23, 2012 Try another Vet! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
socks 32,253 Posted July 23, 2012 Report Share Posted July 23, 2012 (edited) Cut a length of hosepipe or similar plastic tube slip it over the tail and tape in place to protect it when the dog is wagging leave the end open and pour in some wound powder twice a day until healed. Edited July 23, 2012 by socks 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
samearl14 11 Posted July 23, 2012 Author Report Share Posted July 23, 2012 I wanted her to be docked but the breeder said he'd never had a problem with his 2 cockers with full tails so he didnt bother I wouldnt have another spaniel unless its been docked. The cost doesnt matter to me, she's becoming a good worker and she'll be worked a lot so i'd rather get her docked and be done with it. Now just need to find a vet thats willing. bet he don't work his two tho.. just seams to look as if he works them.. plenty people say they work their dog and and bet half them don't even walk them! His dogs are worked, I wouldn't have got the pup otherwise. But I wouldn't get another one with a full tail. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
samearl14 11 Posted July 23, 2012 Author Report Share Posted July 23, 2012 Cut a length of hosepipe or similar plastic tube slip it over the tail and tape in place to protect it when the dog is wagging leave the end open and pour in some wound powder twice a day until healed. Good idea, il try it. Cheers Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Guest cookiemonsterandmerlin Posted July 23, 2012 Report Share Posted July 23, 2012 £400notes might seem alot but in the longrun will be cheaper than the problems but the biggest PRO point is the dog will have less injuries which only be a good thing for the dog ATB Cookie Quote Link to post Share on other sites
gnipper 5,948 Posted July 23, 2012 Report Share Posted July 23, 2012 I took her to my vets and they were happy to amputate her tail...but the price was 430quid! A lot of money to justify spending. When I got my lurcher done it was under 200, would have been cheaper but the sod kept licking at his stitches. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
albert64 1,882 Posted July 23, 2012 Report Share Posted July 23, 2012 Cut a length of hosepipe or similar plastic tube slip it over the tail and tape in place to protect it when the dog is wagging leave the end open and pour in some wound powder twice a day until healed. i did this with my old dog i went to a garden center/pond shop they do pipe in different diameter just buy a metre its only cheep, never had a problem after that Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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