My Lab's tail is bleeding... :(

[EmilyZA]

My six year old Lab had a cut on his tail last year (we don't know how he got it-- he is constantly wagging his tail and we think he whacked it on something.) It was impossible to stop the bleeding, b/c as soon as it would start to heal, he would start wagging his tail against the wall and the bleeding would start again. We ended up taking him to the vet, who said there really wasn't much we can do, aside from amputating his tail, which of course we don't want to do! She did suggest styptic powder as well.

By some miracle (or my dog understood what it meant to cut his tail off and it scared him!) the cut healed. But now it's starting again, and he even has a cut on the other side of his tail! We're treating it with the styptic powder, but to no avail... we had guests over yesterday, and of course, every time someone came in his tail would wag and it looked like someone was slaughtered in our house. We are constantly washing the walls!

Someone had suggested Neosporin as well, to help it heal faster. We started that today.

Any other suggestions? Any other dog owners deal with this? I feel so bad for him, we don't know what to do!

[silvergrey]

In the greyhound world, we call that Happy Tail. ;)

I generally take a curler, put it over the end of the tail, and tape the heck out of it to make it stick to the fur, leaving the end open. That way, the areas of the sores can "breathe" and heal, but when he whacks it, it's protected. Also, you can still see it to evaluate it for infection. This link (http://www.grassmereanimalhospital.com/happy_tail_bandaging.htm) might help you too.

ETA: when I say tape the heck out of it, I mean using a lot of tape, but also being sure it's not on too tight.

[skyblu]

I was going to suggest a thick bandage, but I think silvergrey's idea is much better!

Poor pup, I hope his Happy Tail :) heals soon!