Working dog tail issue

Spunk84

My springer has an issue with his tail he's not docked so whilst in the field he's tip of his tail is belting of his sides causing it to bleed. Within about ten minutes he's blood all over his sides looking like he was in a war. Today had him out for a bit of crow patrol and noticed he would run in front and then stop and lie down to lick and bite on it, so I think it's hurting him ? Any one have any ideas? I was told to stick duct tape on it but wouldn't fall off while hes working or rip the hair off him when taking it off?

Also seen on another forum to use a a rubber band on the tail to stop the blood flow eventually falling of instead of getting it docked by a vet? I'm not going to do anything stupid like cut his tail off :eek: but would like abit of advice, he's now 9months

fodda

Why not rest him until his tail is fully recovered then there is no problem? Also take him to the vet and get a professional opinion on your dogs injury/health.

Spunk84

I have, it keeps happening thou

kildara

Spunk84 wrote: »

Also seen on another forum to use a a rubber band on the tail to stop the blood flow eventually falling of instead of getting it docked by a vet? I'm not going to do anything stupid like cut his tail off :eek: but would like abit of advice, he's now 9months

Dont do this. It should never be done on a newborn puppy, let alone a young dog.
Bring him to the vets and get it amputated. Its obviously causing continuos problems so amputation is probably the best thing - your vet will advise.

ormondprop

We put the rubber bands on lambs tails but havent seen it been done to dogs, i say even if it can be done your dog is probably too old now

dev110

Spunk84 wrote: »

My springer has an issue with his tail he's not docked so whilst in the field he's tip of his tail is belting of his sides causing it to bleed. Within about ten minutes he's blood all over his sides looking like he was in a war. Today had him out for a bit of crow patrol and noticed he would run in front and then stop and lie down to lick and bite on it, so I think it's hurting him ? Any one have any ideas? I was told to stick duct tape on it but wouldn't fall off while hes working or rip the hair off him when taking it off?

Also seen on another forum to use a a rubber band on the tail to stop the blood flow eventually falling of instead of getting it docked by a vet? I'm not going to do anything stupid like cut his tail off :eek: but would like abit of advice, he's now 9months

I will be in the same boat I believe. My fella is 9 months as well and has his full tail.

The rubber band is used on lambs when they are born but it stunts their growth and to even consider doing it to an older lamb would be considered cruelty so it would be the same for a dog I would believe.

Best option would be a vet. I'm also considering getting something done as well because at the start I didn't want a dog with a docked tail but now I see that it is nearly necessary to have it done

ormondprop

dev110 wrote: »

I will be in the same boat I believe. My fella is 9 months as well and has his full tail.

The rubber band is used on lambs when they are born but it stunts their growth and to even consider doing it to an older lamb would be considered cruelty so it would be the same for a dog I would believe.

Best option would be a vet. I'm also considering getting something done as well because at the start I didn't want a dog with a docked tail but now I see that it is nearly necessary to have it done

Rubber rings stunt there growth when they are used to castrate them but i dont think it has any effect on them when used on their tails

deeksofdoom

I had a dog with a full tail and he bled like a mad everytime i had him out. the dogs flanks were covered in blood.

My springer bitch is 2/3 docked and she still bursts the tip of her tail open and bleeds all over her flanks.

You could try tapping up the end of the tail with gaffer tape and cotton wool but it will come off in heavy cover.

Undocked tails are a bad job.

dev110

ormondprop wrote: »

Rubber rings stunt there growth when they are used to castrate them but i dont think it has any effect on them when used on their tails

Ye when castrating them it stunts growth. The tail being docked with a band and stunting growth must be one of the the many things believed by farmers in my area

Spunk84

Yea it looks terrible, was down the canal on Wednesday last and has some ol women commented on him, she told me she was going to call animal cruelty:eek:??? Was about to F@ck her off but walked off instead, as her and her little rat poodle would of been thrown into the canal if I didn't you can say anything about me but comment badly against me dog then there's no holds barred;)

Will any vets in Dublin/Kildare dock an older dogs tail? I heard it was expensive as well:(

Alchemist2

had a springer with an undocked tail and at 14 weeks no vet locally was willing to dock it as all are affilitaed to the vet. council of ireland and they frown upon this practice

tfox

Aoife Gibney MVB, Moylagh, Oldcastle, Co.Meath 087 8553831

Has done it for a friend of mine who had a similar problem with my spaniel.

johngalway

Bringing the dog to the vet does seem the most practical solution to the problem, can imagine the scene with blood everywhere :eek:

---

Going slightly off topic on the subject of lambs Rings are not supposed to be applied for any purpose after the first week of life, it's also a good idea not to ring them on their first day given the possibility of mismothering issues.

Ram lambs which are sold off early before their meat is tainted by hormones wouldn't necessarily need castrating, however I think it's good practice to do so if in any doubt of expected time to market. There are other castration methods available but the ring is simplest IMO.

Docking ewe lamb tail on wool sheep is good practice. Anyone who's got a ewe with a long tail and loose dungs will tell you that, it get's flicked everywhere and with the weather we've been having lately causes welfare issues with maggot infestations.

kermitpwee

You might remember from a previous thread that I asked you why was he not docked, he's a lovely dog but I had a feeling that tail was going to cause trouble. Don't dock yourself as it is incredibly painful on a dog that is grown. Your dog will need to get it amputated by a vet, there is no other solution I am afraid and we all know that your dog is going well for ya so if you want to hunt him the tail has to go.

Spunk84

kermitpwee wrote: »

You might remember from a previous thread that I asked you why was he not docked, he's a lovely dog but I had a feeling that tail was going to cause trouble. Don't dock yourself as it is incredibly painful on a dog that is grown. Your dog will need to get it amputated by a vet, there is no other solution I am afraid and we all know that your dog is going well for ya so if you want to hunt him the tail has to go.

Yeah going have to see the vet this week to see what the options are, not sure why it wasnt docked.Yea i wouldn't try it myself knowing my luck id screw it up:D

Bamanlou

hi , i have a mostly brown springer that i left the tail alittle long on to keep the white tip for trialing. i had alot of trouble as the dog ate his tail alot after hunting so i tapped it up but it just got worse when it got wet and he ate it in the pen even. more in hind sight i shouldnt have hunted him , in the end the vet peeled the skin back at the tip of the tail like a banana and took the tail bone back a few knucles and stitched it up , best thing i done the dog is like a chainsaw it the cover , it still bleeds but has hardened up and he doesnt gnaw at it and i looks plenty long . my advice would be not to let it get so bad that he gnaws at it and it will harden up in time

Spunk84

Bamanlou wrote: »

hi , i have a mostly brown springer that i left the tail alittle long on to keep the white tip for trialing. i had alot of trouble as the dog ate his tail alot after hunting so i tapped it up but it just got worse when it got wet and he ate it in the pen even. more in hind sight i shouldnt have hunted him , in the end the vet peeled the skin back at the tip of the tail like a banana and took the tail bone back a few knucles and stitched it up , best thing i done the dog is like a chainsaw it the cover , it still bleeds but has hardened up and he doesnt gnaw at it and i looks plenty long . my advice would be not to let it get so bad that he gnaws at it and it will harden up in time

you dont me asking was it expensive procedure? Was it a long recovery?

Stole pic off another thread:rolleyes: but this is what it looks like after 10mins:(

Bamanlou

took about 8 months spunk and cost 160 euros for tablets and op , well worth it

fodda

Well is it fair on the dog to have to go all through this?

What causes the tail to get so damaged?

Spunk84

fodda wrote: »

Well is it fair on the dog to have to go all through this?

What causes the tail to get so damaged?

Fodda it isnt fair for him to go through this but what isnt fair is the above pic showing what happens when i take him for a walk:( he get so excited and his tails wacks off his sides causing him to bleed. I dont know if its hurting him or its a knick with blood coming out.

Im not a vet so i dont have all the info i need yet. i asked for info off the board members here who IMO are veterans of hunting dogs and very knowledgeable and fourth coming to shed some light on it.

fodda

Spunk84 wrote: »

Fodda it isnt fair for him to go through this but what isnt fair is the above pic showing what happens when i take him for a walk:( he get so excited and his tails wacks off his sides causing him to bleed.

I agree but i have never heard of this before and had dogs all my life.

I think i would take him to a good vet and get his advice on what can be done then decide.

Spunk84

fodda wrote: »

I agree but i have never heard of this before and had dogs all my life.

I think i would take him to a good vet and get his advice on what can be done then decide.

advice dually noted.

im sorry you haven't heard of it but this is my problem that i need advice on so if you cant help-Excuse me if im being out of line but I need help, not criticisms

kermitpwee

Spunk84 wrote: »

advice dually noted.

im sorry you haven't heard of it but this is my problem that i need advice on so if you cant help-Excuse me if im being out of line but I need help, not criticisms

I think he means that he has never heard of it bleeding from just hitting his backside, he must be getting it caught in cover otherwise there is something wrong with his tail imo.

Hondata92

Take him to a good vet and see what can be done

If it means surgery and not been able to work for a few months then what of it

Your dog is still young and can still be trained even if it means a few months of not been in cover

If its a case that nothing can be done then either retire the dog as a pet or give it to a good home where it can be a pet

blackstairsboy

I asked a vet to dock a springers tail and he refused. Said it could not be done to a dog that old unless there was something serious like say cancer on the tail. He did not seem to think that it cutting once in a while would warrant the operation. This vet was very well known to us and had been coming to the yard for years but he just would not do the operation. I don't have the dog any more and I am glad of it because it looked awful when it bled. I gave him away as a pet also. Shame but what can you do.

Bamanlou

hi spunk , would love to hear what the vet has to say on the tail , as i said before most of the damage will be done by the dog chewing it in the pen after it bleeds from cover work ,its not nice for dog or owner . you could hunt 100 springers in your life and it might never happen its just bad luck , my vet understood that the dog was for hunting and done a great job on the tail you would never know it was done and the hair was back after a few months using a funnel colar on him and after 8 months i hunted him it bled the tiniest bit but now its hardened up hes nearly 3 now and i have a cracker of a woodcock dog for many years now , best of luck hope it works out

Spunk84

I'm going to see the vet tomorrow, weren't open today. I've been talking to a few lads I know who run greyhounds and working terriers and they suggested

Purple spray- used on horses and dogs
Blue-Kote supposed to be very good, it hardens apparently
surgical glue- not sure about glue thou
Nail varnish- again not sure, might be toxic to a dog and he's more a lipstick dog

instead of having the tail lobed off. I will asked the vet tomorrow about these as well. Had the dog out for a run today to see if I can spot where exactly it is bleeding, it just seems to be a knick that hasn't healed over.LOL put a sock with tape on his tail it lasted all of 5 mins:D in 1 ditch. Hopefully some above will work as he looks well with a tail. Keep yas posted:P

Spunk84

Well lads was talking to the vet:D
I ran the springer before I went in to show her what he was like, she told me to do this before on the phone. After looking at him she concluded that he will always have this problem but over time his tail will harden and the bleeding will stop or only bleed abit.

Spoke to her about docking and she said would do it no problem but if it was her dog she wouldn't as it's like losing your leg:rolleyes: She said that if the dog isn't physically hurting or whining with it being sore then it's not really an big issue for him at the minute, it just looks worse than it is

She said she has working springers as well, one isn't docked and their tail was the same when it was younger. I asked about sprays, glues and nail varnish and she said the sprays work great and as for the glue a nail she couldnt comment on them;) she said best thing is sudocream:eek: just apply it on the tail after a day out or when the bleeding starts, it creates a seal over the wound and ingredients heal it? It drys out the cuts apparently making the healing process quicker.Same as a babies nappy rash.

thelurcher

I've seen people use a plastic bottle with the bottom end cut out - slip the side you drink from over the tail and tape it in place - don't go too tight obviously and check it regularly. They only used it in the kennels to give it a chance to heal.
It's like the elizabethan collars but for the tail - stops them damaging it off the mesh in the kennels or rubbing it off the concrete etc. as well.

J.R.

Spunk84 wrote: »

you can say anything about me but comment badly against me dog then there's no holds barred;):(

Going off topic but:

above comment reminds me of an incident a friend of mine (newly trained Garda) encountered on streets of south Dublin while on patrol, a long time ago.

He came across a well known local criminal out walking with his girlfriend & Rottweiler (with usual heavy spiked collar etc).

He stopped the 'gouger' and asked him where he got the mongrel, to which the guy replied: ' You can insult me moth but don't insult me bleedin dog!'

Spunk84

J.R. wrote: »

Going off topic but:

above comment reminds me of an incident a friend of mine (newly trained Garda) encountered on streets of south Dublin while on patrol, a long time ago.

He came across a well known local criminal out walking with his girlfriend & Rottweiler (with usual heavy spiked collar etc).

He stopped the 'gouger' and asked him where he got the mongrel, to which the guy replied: ' You can insult me moth but don't insult me bleedin dog!'

Very true :} I think everyone thinks they have the "best" working dog until someone says they dont, then the Sh£t hits the fan.