Tail pocket problem!
Submitted by rdawson on August 29, 2015 - 6:36amGood morning,
I wonder if you could give me some advice please, I have a 5 year old male bulldog, who has been having problems with his tail pocket, I have been to out local vets several times about it, and tried different things, but he's getting very stressed with it, and its becoming painful for him. The vet has suggested we amputate it, but im reluctant to have this done, as what I have researched doesn't sound good. Have you experienced this, or have any suggestions? Thank you.
Rose x
I have been through this with Dooley.
We got Dooley when he was 7 mo. old. his tail pocket was so infected. Dooley cried when he tried to sit, touching was out of the question. Previous owner did not know he had a tail pocket. The tail pocket is an inch deep. After a round of antibiotics, we got the infection cleared. Dooley is now 3 and the regimen is this. Tail pocket is cleaned at least every other day with babywipe and a surgical Q-tip. If I notice it getting stinky and red, I have Otomax drops on hand. The vet presribed for ears initially, but said it also works good for his tail pocket and his nose rope area. The vet gave me tiny syringes, I suck up the Otomax from the bottlle. I am then able to squirt the Otomax into the tail pocket and this takes care of the problem. I also use Gold Bond Original powder. I put the Gold bond in a ketchup bottle cut the tip a little and squirt the powder into the tail pocket to dry it up. I know that tail amputation helps alot of bully's, but I would do that only as last resort. The amputation is a pretty delicate surgery and I would only let a specialist do it if necessary. Hopefully this gives you some other ideas.
Hi. Thanks for your reply.
Hi. Thanks for your reply. It's not really the cleaning I have a problem with, I can keep that under control. But a lump has appeared in his tail pocket, and the vet suggested amputation, but he didn't really have a proper look, as my dog was quite distressed and wouldn't keep still. It looks like the cysts that are common in their feet, but I'm not sure if it's the same thing. Any ideas? Thanks x
Rose....I hope your baby gets better!!! Janis....thank you for
your regimen, it was very helpful. I've read about the Gold Bond in a ketchup bottle before, but haven't DONE it...
I realllllly need to! Meaty's is very deep and we've done many things, but I have GOT to do the powder, too!
Our sweet foster baby Daphne also has a deep one, and she USED to be okay with us cleaning it, but recently,
it's obvious there are tender areas that are too painful for her. when we clean it...poor babies!!! Sooo glad Sophie
has NO pocket at all......!!! She DOES have a veerrrrry tight wittle tail that's a bit hard to clean underneath, and I'm
alwaysss afraid it'll hurt her, but she just licks her lips the whole time, so hubbs and I laugh and say if she could speak,
she'd be saying "ahhhhh.....that's GOOD!!!" :-)..
...
Rose.....I hope your poor baby gets better and doesn't have to have an amputation!!!! One of Meaty's vets suggested
that years ago, but we pray it doesn't become necessary!!!
she
Our sweet Archimedes "MEATY" Bones (or as we say...boneSHHH!) ---born 11/28/08---- our first bullllyyyy!!!
And SOPHIE Bubbles *Rapscallion* (LOL!) ---born 4/3/11----our second bulllllyyyy!!!!
I have no idea about a lump/cyst in the tail pocket area.
I think I would want to know for sure what it is. Does your vet see alot of bulldogs maybe a second opinion is in order. He might have some ideas before you go the amputation route. I hope his tail pocket issue get better soon, poor guy.
Hard to tell what the limp might be but I would think...
he'd want to biopsy it even if it means sedating him to do it. Our girl Oreo had a little lump on the edge of her tail pocket and it was malignant so they removed it. She finally passed a couple of years later at almost 11. She always had tail infections too.