Puppy Gal's Opinion On

Medical Problem - Infected Tail

Inverted or Closely Held Tails Are Subject To Becoming Infected

This is the information and a description of treatment I finally used with one of my female Bullies years ago when her inverted tail became grossly infected.

Either of these type tails can trap debris and if not cleaned properly a major infection can result which may result in total tail amputation if the infection becomes chronic, not a pretty sight or thought.

We've only had one case and this is how I resolved the problem.

-Oral antibiotics - amoxicilin
- Irrigate the area to remove debris
- Apply hydrogen peroxide to the area by pouring it on the top of the tail allowing it to seep into the infected area.
- Gentle but firm sitz bathing of the area
This is how to accomplished this feat. Used a water hose with a spray nozzle if it is summer, otherwise use a shower attachment. Don't turn the water on very strong since you don't want to hurt and/or disturb the skin, but the water has to have a little force to get up under the tail to float out the debris. If the water is just a tad on the cool side it feels good because the infected area is normally "hot". This is much more gentle than wiping the area. (I suppose this could be viewed as a doggie version of a "sitz bath")

When the water has drained out, pour hydrogen peroxide on the top of her backend so it can just tickle into all the area. Blot dry the outside only!!!


From: Priscilla
Sent: Thursday, June 30, 2005 8:06 AM
As you know Timmy's tail has been a problem, and since Feb '04 she has had bleeding from under it somewhere. Some days not so much and sometimes a day without, but some days what looked like a lot of blood to me on the bed or wherever she sat, to the point where I thought of having her tail removed several times. But I've been cleaning it everyday, sometimes 3-4 times a day, with peroxide or a peroxide mixture from the vet, and for the last 19 days there has been no bleeding. I have my fingers crossed that we have finally gotten it under control. It has never seemed to bother her and we have even gotten into a routine where I ask her if she wants her tail cleaned and if she does, she goes and jumps into the bathtub and waits for me. I think the trick was that instead of always running a gauze pad up under her tail and wiping it, I had a little empty squeeze bottle and filled it up with whatever I wanted to use to clean, ran the tip of the bottle up under her tail and just squirted the liquid up under her tail and then wiped the excess away. I think letting some of it stay under her tail helped to heal. Her tail is so tightly wedged against her body you can't even pick it up and see under it at all. - Priscilla

Information presented here is strictly my opinion based upon research and/or 50 years experience at rescuing animals of all sorts. Consult your vet and perhaps even get a second opinion from another vet about all you read on my website.