Tail Pocket issues - Update
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Tail Pocket issues - Update
Submitted by admin on April 20, 2010 - 8:29pmSugar Plum and I went to the vets Thursday afternoon. She has a yeast infection in her tail pocket. The cleaning with baby wipes with aloe, using Hydrogen Peroxide and applying Desitin that I have been doing helped some but just isn't strong enough to deliver the yeast a knockout punch.
The vet didn't feel antibiotics were necessary. He gave me Malaseb pledgets to clean her pocket 2X daily until the reddish-brownish stain doesn't appear on the pad then once every 2 days as general hygene.
There was yeast growth in one of her ears but not in the ear canal to cause an ear infection and one of her nose wrinkles shown some signs of a slight yeast infection. Again the Malaseb wipes were the choice to clear this up.
I spoke with the vet at length about yeast infections. He explained that all dogs and humans have yeast present on their skin. Certain conditions change the yeast from being un-noticed to a infection or flair up. The usual culprit is moisture whether it be sweat in humans and getting athlete's foot or jock itch to moisture of some sort in the tail pocket, ear or nose wrinkle in bullies. For the bullie the bottom line is to keep those areas dry. Gold Bond powder, corn starch or Desitine is what the vet spoke of using to keep those areas dry.
For those of you that can't get Malaseb pledgets or shampoo Massengil Feminine wipes will work as well. If the inflamation is really bad do not hesitate to get you beloved to the vet!
Yeast infections are common and are controllable but like anything else if left unattended will get worse and become very difficult to treat and clear up.
Best defense for tail pockets, nose wrinkles and ear areas an ounce of pervention is worth a pound of cure. If your hygene routine with your bullie doesn't include a face wash, ear wipe and tail pocket swipe on a regular basis you just may be setting yourself and your bullie up for some problems down the road. I thought I was doing well cleaning her face daily and her ears 2X a month when she was bathed. Truth be told I never messed with the tail pocket because I didn't think there was a need - everything seemed OK there! This is proof to me that I need to step up her hygene program just a bit!
Thanks to all how have contributed to my posting. Your ideas and encouragement meant a lot to me the past few days.
Best regards,
Mike
Sugar Plum's dad
Takes nerves of steel,,,,,
and persistence. We were so green when we got Winston, I took him to a non bully wise vet,where he got a nice steroid/antibiotic shot and prognosis of future tail amputation if it persisted! I called our club pres and he told me wipe it out with diaper wipes, until it comes out clean, better yet use makeup swabs with rubbing alcohol to dry it up. That sorta made me wince, so I asked was there anything else and he said to dust it with Gold Bond powder after wiping it and that would help heal and keep it dry. The little(then 9 weeks old) fella let out a bloody murder scream that actually had Kim in tears! I bit my lip and pressed on, I gently wiped until a wipe came out clean, with her holding him down, it was still quite a struggle. After he had this done 4 or 5 times he stopped screaming , but still a struggle. Now at 9 months, I put him in a head noose on a grooming table and he just huffs and licks his nose nervously,,,,,,Of course he gets a treat afterwards, and if I forget, he follows me around and stops in front of me with his head cocked to the side. Just remember, as was said previously. We are the caregivers, and responsible to help the little ones where they can't help them selves.
PS, a squirt bottle(Mustard) with Gold Bond helps puff it in under the tail better.
Mmmmmm...Bait! Tastes just like chicken!
Thanks Mike
Simon is only 15 weeks, so the pocket is only about 1/4 of my pinkie deep. His vet looked at it and said I was doing a good job at keeping it very clean. He suggested I drop him off for the day and when the surgeon who does tails has a minute he will look at him.
You are right...the cookie in the end makes it easier!!
Take your time cleaning
Gail,
I really don;t have a good answer for you. This is what I do. I wipe the tail pocket gently. I place the wipe around my index finger and try to get into the base of the pocket a deep as I can up to my middle knuckle. I have found most build up is at the base from 7 o'clock to 4 o'clock. I then wipe the rest of her pocket including the center part of her tail. She does get nervous starts to squirm a bit. My wife helps to restrain her and talks softly to try ro calm her down. When it's all over ( a minute or two) we reward her with a cookie.
I know it's hard to do but try to ignore the dogs screams when you are doing this. Remember you are the caregiver and are not trying to intentially trying to hurt the dog just make him better. Also if you attempt to do this with an apprehensive feeling your dog will pick this up. Be strong for Simon, in the end he'll be grateful.
Regards,
Mike
How do you know you are cleaining the entire pocket
My Simon has the same problem and it is screwed so tight I do not know if the entire pocket is being cleaned. He screams when I clean it. I use the Maleseb pledglets as well. thanks!
Sugar Plum
So glad to hear Sugar Plum is doing better!
Good for you and for Sugar Plum!
Bulldogs are not as easy as they look.
I'm so glad you have the know-how with her tushie and face!
Emily & Murphy
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