10/8/99 we discovered our 5 mo old Standard, Maggie, had about 1/3" of bone protruding out the end of her tail. (Maggie is beautiful, excellent breeding - litter mates have not reported any problems). Our vet said, "one of those things" and "have never seen it before". We decided to spay her a month sooner than planned and fix the tail at the same time. This took place one week ago today and she's still holding her tail down, although not as much, turns suddenly as if it hurts her and tries to lick it - lies down totally frustrated. Her disposition hasn't been the same at all - definitely a nervous pup! DO believe she's on the ment. Will have her stitches out Tues. Question is: anyone out there ever experience the same thing? Do you think it was the result of a poor tail docking? If so, is there anything we should do? Could this behavior she's exhibiting develope into a "fixation"? Any suggestions. We've really felt bad for her - she's been such a wonderful pup!

-- Anonymous, October 16, 1999

Answers

I know this is a late response, but other readers might want to know what to do:

It happens every so often, seems like more often in the SPs than in other varieties. Sometimes, I think it's carelessness in docking, or cutting into a vertebra rather than between two. Othertimes, as your vet says, "These things happen." If he docked the tails, I would be just a tad suspicious, but that is my paranoid nature speaking there. :)

Was she spayed because of the tail? I hope not! It's easily repaired and shouldn't affect her show potential, unless her tail was stubby to start with. Naturally, a surgery in that area is going to get more attention from the dog than one done when she was only a day or two old, but an Elizabethan collar will put punto to that activity pronto. She will be pitiful, but she will live and the tail will heal. Don't worry about it!

Don't let her chew, by using the e-collar. Don't obsess over it, and she won't either. Make sure she runs her little fanny into the ground for the next couple of days, so she is tired and sleeps rather than fussing with things. It'll heal in a week or two and then the collar comes off and you all move on to other more important things.

It's good you asked. If you don't know, and are worried about this rather unprepossessing thing on her tail, you will never learn how to deal with it. But time and healing will solve the problem if you can be patient and calm with her.

Good reason for natural proper tails, eh? Poodle tails should be thick and short and not curly, kinda like lab tails. When this happens, as it has in some European countries where docking is banned, the results are actually pretty nice. If I breed this bitch I own now, I think the pups will not be docked. She has a short stout tail that was barely docked and I think her pups, if they do the same, will be very attractive!

-- Anonymous, December 30, 1999