Irritable tail

jjkhurn · #1 8th September 2002, 03:19 PM

My 3 month old male boxer has had his tail done since he was born and he naws at his nub all the time making it really raw and sore to him and I am trying to find out what would be good to do for his tail should I put some ointment on it or tape it.

myrocky · #2 9th September 2002, 08:06 AM

It could be allergy related or he could have trouble expressing his anal glands. I would have the vet check him out

AntJan · #3 9th September 2002, 11:06 PM

When Nikki was a pup, she would do the same thing. She would lick it & naw on it until it started oozing with irritation. We think her tail wasn't docked right, so it has a tendency to get irritated. After taking her to the vet, he prescribed an antibiotic/corticosteroid ointment that really helped clear up her tail. Ever since then, she's really had no problem with it. We've had to use that ointment only a couple of times after it was first prescribed to her. Nowadays, her tail doesn't get irritated at all. I'm sure what helps a lot too if that my hubby cleans her up everyday.. from her face all the way to her cute little butt and nub!

#4 9th September 2002, 11:46 PM

It could be irritated if the bone is close to the surface, and rubs on the ground when he sits. If the scar is raw and bleeding, have a vet check it and see if it needs either medication or needs to be redocked to give more padding on the end.

tazi · #5 10th September 2002, 09:40 PM

This is really interesting, because Tobie has always chewed his nub also. The breeder I got him from I would NOT recommend, Tobie was malnourished, he had been docked incorrectly and very late in his puppy hood. He will still chew on the nub if he is bored, and I have to keep an eye on it. I didn't know that you could have it padded if necessary. He has a scar, and it will always show, no hair grows there.
I think I'll talk to the vet about it next time we go.
Tazi