Dog’s Bleeding Tail Needs Time to Heal

A stirrup-type bandage will stay on – if dog wears a special collar, too.

Q. My dog has a bloody tail tip of his tail that is continually aggravated by his wagging. Is there a good way to bandage it so it will heal?

A. The only way your dog’s tail will heal properly is to get him to stop wagging it.

How do you get dogs to stop wagging their tails? Can you read them depressing news? Can you scold them and glare at them? Can you command them to stop wagging? Why are dogs so irrepressibly happy most of the time?

One well-known “Far Side” cartoon by Gary Larson shows the many moods of the Irish Setter, including depressed, suicidal, sad, introverted, etc. In every picture, the dog appears as a “smiling” goofball.

OK, given that you probably can’t get your dog to stop wagging his tail, he needs a soft, padded bandage on the tail tip. The vet will clip his tail of hair, clean up the wound, then use a stirrup-type bandage halfway up the tail.

To keep your dog from chewing the bandage off, he’ll need a protective collar. The newer soft, flexible ones are easier on dogs and owners alike.

Keep the bandage and collar on for at least a week to allow the tail to heal.

Or, try to figure out a way to stop him from wagging his tail Good luck with that!

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Give us your opinion on Dog’s Bleeding Tail Needs Time to Heal

Chloe - 256066

7/13/2012 4:07:19 PM

GFHGF

Judy parma, OH

2/2/2011 3:14:58 PM

i have tried everything to stop this .. its not working . My vet suggested amputation. I hate to do that .

Carole Aberdeen, AL

10/13/2010 3:29:48 AM

Re the bleeding tail tip - my Deerhound has the same problem. I have fashioned a protective splint out of a large syringe which is held on with surgical tape. I cut the end off so the tail can breathe and the syringe barrell protects the tail from whipping on the furniture etc. It is amazing, once the protection is in place you will hear how often the dog's tail makes contact with a hard surface. The protection has been on for about a week and the tail is healing well but I plan to leave on until fully healed.

Maria Rogles Jacksonville, FL

7/30/2010 9:43:45 AM

My 15 and a half year old Siberian Husky has had a problem with his tail bleeding for almost two years. Beginning Sept. of last year the vet operated and he was fine until January, were it started to bleed again. No pain at all, just staining everything and the horrible small. Somewhere I read about Aloe Vera Gel, so I bought nearly pure aloe vera gel (99 percent) at a local vitamin supply store, and "low and behold" by the next day, the sore was closed and for over one month now he seems to be fine. I do put a little every day to ensure that the spot doesn't dry out and maybe starts again, but I wish I had known this!!