msbshp avatar image

partial tail amputation

Deisel is 4 yrs old now and had a really bad inverted/cinnamon bun tail...2 vets said it was the worst they had ever seen, the tail & the chronic infection...it was VERY hard to get all the way in there and clean it and i have had him for 2 yrs and believe me i have tried everything....so we decided it was in his best interest to amputate part of his tail...it seems to be healing fine...even tho it just got done 3 days ago...but he only pooed & peed the 1st day...i guess the pain shots are stronger than his pills....he refuses to eat anything other than the cheese i wrap his meds in...but he will drink water if i bring it to him in my bed....so far he has put away 4 20 oz bottles in 2 days, but he refuses to get out of the bed(my bed) to go potty. he is holding it some how.....if i leave the room for too long which hasnt been longer than to grab a bite to eat from the kitchen...he cries to get me back in here....does anyone have any suggestions as to how i get him to get out of the bed and go potty at least...the vet said if he wants to move around let him...but he wont.....i am really worried about him holding it in. thx for any advice.

__________________

Msbshp

Kathy Chester Newman and Jessa's picture

Is there any way you can physically lift him...

Out of bed?  Maybe once he gets moving everything will start working again. If not, I would call your vet and ask for advice. 

msbshp's picture

i wish

he wont let me pick him up,he hurts too bad i think...he will let me clean it as long as i go slow..but he wont let me pick him up yet.

__________________

Msbshp

Get someone to help you lift him

out of the bed and take him outside.  It's too long, and you could risk him getting a uti from holding it so long.  Good luck!

msbshp's picture

well he finally peed ALOT...this morning, but.....kinda long

he scooted over next to me while i was sleepingand as i was waking up to see if he was ok...helaid right beside my legs, laid his head down like he was going back to sleep and i smelled it....he peed on me, well right next to my leg which trickled over onto me before i knew what he was doing...but he didnt stand or walk over to me,he scooted hisself closer & closer that's what woke me up and just when i thought the was going back to sleep i felt it...then it was difficult to get him out of it....i finally got all the bedding off the bed, moving him around slowly and i took the linens to the laundry and ran back with towels to find he scooted back to the pee spot and was laying in it...i didnt fuss him or really make any sounds other than talking him soothingly thru moving so i could get the linens off the bed....i called my mom who owns a cat...no dogs or dog experience and expressed my worries to herand she came right over...she tried everything i had to get him out of the bed...but nothing...finaly she made a trail of pig skins ( i know he don't need or eat them)but she was just trying everything she could think of...and he wouldnt even lift his head...in fact he turned his head away...so she came into the kitchen and about 3 minutes later we heard him jump out of the bed, he ran down the hall and laid at her feet....never ate any of the pig skins...i picked them up and threw them away...all the while she tried to convince him to go outside with her.....now he has parked hisself in the laundry room(inside w/ac) and wont budge from there. i have been doing laundry around him and cleaning the kitchen etc all day and he never moved...so i had to bring him some water and his food which until today he would spit out...and i literally had to hand feed him 1 piece of food at a time and he ate it this time...not alot, but enough...then i had to use my fingers to get water and put on his tongue and convinced him to follow my fingers to the bowl and he finally drank some more water....this all started at 8:30 this morning...he is still in the laundry room...i tried again to get him to go outside, i even had the door open for over an hour and sat by the door where he could hear me, but not see me to try and convince him to out again...he wont move??the surgery was tuesday early afternoon so i this makes day 4...he is taking 50mg of rimadyl and a strong antibiotic..its in the kitchen, i cant remember the name...my mom thinks he is dopey and thats why he wont budge, but i think he is in pain.......does anyone have any idea which if either is the problem?

__________________

Msbshp

I think he is in pain

50mg of Rimadyl isn't much in my opinion. I give that to Jackson twice a day just for maintenance if he is stiff/limping. He came down with an infection that attacted his spine and the only noticable issue with it now, is being stiff or limping. My other one just got 50mg twice a day after surgery on his palate, nose and airway. So if it's just 50mg a day, I'd say after a surgery like that, he is hurting and that's his way of telling you.

__________________

Bean, Chloe, Jackson taking over the bed as always!

msbshp's picture

i thought the same thing

they gave him 50mg of rimadyl before the surgery just for the itch...now he has an amputation and stictches...i thought 2 a day would be better if not awhole 100mg 2x a day...but dont worry i have not done that.....just thought it.....ty for your reply i think i may give him an extra one this eve and see if it helps...

__________________

Msbshp

Your dog needs a vet....

This is way too long for him to not be eating or drinking by himself, even in pain.  He won't go out to use the bathroom...something is seriously not right.  

The Rimadyl he is taking may have some side effects like diarrhea and vomiting, anorexia and issues with liver and kidney's if taken for a long time.  He needs to be see and sooner than later.  

Did your vet's office call you the next day to check on him?? Have you spoken with them since the sx? 

msbshp's picture

no actually now that you mention it,,,i am a lil peturbed they..

didnt call, my old vet in texas always called....they have an emergency number..thank you for your reply i knew someone would know if this is wrong or not...i will call them immediately...tyvm...i will update...thx again.

__________________

Msbshp

msbshp's picture

k just got off the phone with the vet...

he thinks the antibiotics are too strong and causing an upset stomache to where he doesnt want to eat....and he recommended that i give him pedialyte till tomm...the vet said he will call me back by noon if i dont call him 1st...tyvm everyone for your help...i feel much better now.
btw the surgical sight looks fine healing great.

__________________

Msbshp

Glad you got a hold of them!!

I work for a clinic, the first thing we do when we get in is call our sx's from the night before...and more serious ones we call again in the afternoon and then the next morning.  That is the only reason I asked you that!  

 Hope he starts to improve soon....poor pup. 

msbshp's picture

again tyvm for your advice

i hate seeing him this way,,,it breaks my heart.

__________________

Msbshp

msbshp's picture

sorry we got so busy after our last update

but i am happy to say his tail//stub and what is now a very shallow area where his tail once was inverted is now 100% healed and he is doing fine.tyvm for everyones help and support thru that very difficult time.

__________________

Msbshp