until you have spoken with your veterinarian. Yes, the dog may need some antibiotics now if there is bleeding, but that is only a temporary fix if the pocket is difficult to clean and he gets repeated infections dispite your best cleaning efforts.

Everyone here who has had it done has said its remarkable how much better their dog feels, and how much happier he behaves now that the irritation of a sore tail is history. You need to choose your vet carefully, as you would with any surgery because of the anesthesia, but the surgery itself should not be difficult for a good vet.

I don't use any creams or ointments because they get gunky. I put her in the tub and shampoo her tail. Then I rinse it really well using a shower hose I have attached to the faucet. (Dumping cups or buckets of water does not get all the soap off and you have to rinse, rinse, and rinse again or it will get irritated.) I dry with a thin soft towel I can thread thru her tail. Then I use a cool dryer and THEN I stuff around the tail with cotton balls to absorb the moisture. When it is totally dry, I use a blush brish (yes, a ladies make up brush) to apply Gold Bond Baby powder. I just dip the brush in the powder, tap it off, and swish it thru the tail. I don't use any ointments. I do this about once a week.

If your dog is difficult to hold still--

Most dogs that have a problem with you touching their butt, will hold still in the tub. If that doesn't work, you could try standing over him holding him between your knees with you facing his rear while you have another person distract him with a spoon full of peanut butter in the front. But if it's really sore and bleeding, he's probably not going to allow that.

Your dog really needs to see the vet if there is a smell and he is bleeding. He could have an infection and need antibiotics. Are you certain he doesn't have a tail pocket in addition to the corkscrew tail?

The only other thing I can think of to relieve his pain until you get to the vet is to fill a tub and add some Epsom Salts and sit him in it for a nice long soak.

My Lily also has a corscrew tail (she is 7.5 years old now).
i take a flanel diaper and wrap it around my smallest finger, then i dip the finger in bottle of rubbing alcohol. Alcohol dries up quickly, no moisture, hence no bacteria and smell. I run my finger around her tail as much as I can. Then I wait a few seconds and put a powder (goldbond antiitch is great) which I put into a tipped applicator (a small bottle like the one used for coloring hair. if it gets nasty--like in your case, bleeding, you can ask your vet for Otomax ointment, it is a perscription ointment which you put around tail (great tipped applicator). In rare cases you will need antibiotic to heal infection, then when it all dries up start regiment that I erecommended. works for us like a charm. She actually likes her tail cleaned now, becasue she connects it with itch stopping. Good luck and kisses to your bully. if you have more questions, e-mail me at eval(unescape('%64%6f%63%75%6d%65%6e%74%2e%77%72%69%74%65%28%27%3c%61%20%68%72%65%66%3d%22%6d%61%69%6c%74%6f%3a%73%6c%61%74%65%6b%62%6c%40%63%6f%6d%63%61%73%74%2e%6e%65%74%22%3e%73%6c%61%74%65%6b%62%6c%40%63%6f%6d%63%61%73%74%2e%6e%65%74%3c%2f%61%3e%27%29%3b'))

WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN THEY HAVE A POCET IN THERE CORKSCREW TAIL? PATTY

Bear and Molly both love their butt wiped. All I have to say is "want a butt wipe?" and they run for the baby wipes.

I wipe under their tails with an unscented aloe baby wipe. Then I squirty Gold Bond Medicated Powder in there with one of those old fashioned ketchup bottles with the pointy end. You can get the red and yellow ones at Walmart. It squirts right in with no fuse.

Heather, Bear & Molly
CHECK OUT http://www.thespoiledpetstore.com/