Help Needed! Inverted tail issues

bubs0604

New member
Sep 9, 2012
38
8
fairfield ca
Country
U.S.A
Bulldog(s) Names
Armstrong
So I have an issue with Armstrong. I have known he has had an inverted tail since right after his first vet visit after I got him. He is 2 1/2 years old now and I feel it has become a health concern. I have been researching and spoke to several vets and vets you specialize in this issue. I have a question for you all though: the vets and other forums I have read said to not clean the area daily however, when he BM's I have to wipe his bottom every time other wise it will be a mess in my house, for the most part it is like cleaning a baby's butt!! He scratches his tail area everyday, often, and if I do not stop him it will become very red, sore and swollen. It also has the foul smell which has become worse over time pretty much daily now (which is a yeast infection from what I was told). If I do not wipe him however he will, once again, have poo all over my home. Since doctors only do this surgery if needed I feel this is needed as I have to wipe him after every BM outing. I hate seeing him in pain and have to hold him down (which takes two of us) to clean the area and put gold bond powder to help the itch which is has not been as effective as i'd hoped it would be so far. I want him to have surgery...any thoughts, guidance on this issue?
 

RaRett

Oogle Me on Google
Community Veteran
Apr 15, 2012
1,475
194
Country
USA
Bulldog(s) Names
Missi -- With Gizmo and Hershey never far from my heart
Speaking from experience here - Gizmo had an inverted tail - DEEP tail pocket, no matter how much we tried to keep it dry and clean, we were total failures at it - (No matter what we did, she was going back and forth to the vet for infections in the tail pocket) Gizmo wouldnt let us near her tail, due to it was sore, and our continual attention to it.

Our Vet said he hadnt seen such a severe case in a very long time, and he really didnt want to do the surgery (he's near retirement) but, after seeing our case, he agreed and did the surgery -

1st - it is *MAJOR* Surgery
2nd - Surgery's are Risky with Bulldogs
3rd - it is *MAJOR* Surgery
however . . .

Gizmo had her tail removed, and her tailpocket 'taken in' almost like a butt lift to get that skin flap taken care of.

******************** FIND A BULLDOG SPECIALIST IF YOU ARE THINKING OF THIS SURGERY ***************************

Make *SURE* they give the proper anesthesia - there is one, that is DEADLY to bullies - - - - - - (I Think people call it A.C.E. but I'm not 100% sure)


Now, 18 months post surgery... She is a totally different dog, different attitude, I can definitely say HAPPIER and HEALTHIER

************ I do not recommend this surgery ------ LIGHTLY **************************

Cost factor $2000 - $4000

I do have a picture of Gizmo Post Op -

Rick

The picture is on that link - its graphic though

http://www.flickr.com/photos/rettinger/6726455097/in/photostream
 

2BullyMama

I'm not OCD....now who moved my bulldog?
Staff member
Community Veteran
Jul 28, 2011
48,581
3,673
Gilbertsville, PA
Country
USA
Bulldog(s) Names
Chelios (Frenchie), Nitschke (2004-2011) Banks (2005-2014) and Lambeau (2014-2024)
Speaking from experience here - Gizmo had an inverted tail - DEEP tail pocket, no matter how much we tried to keep it dry and clean, we were total failures at it - (No matter what we did, she was going back and forth to the vet for infections in the tail pocket) Gizmo wouldnt let us near her tail, due to it was sore, and our continual attention to it.

Our Vet said he hadnt seen such a severe case in a very long time, and he really didnt want to do the surgery (he's near retirement) but, after seeing our case, he agreed and did the surgery -

1st - it is *MAJOR* Surgery
2nd - Surgery's are Risky with Bulldogs
3rd - it is *MAJOR* Surgery
however . . .

Gizmo had her tail removed, and her tailpocket 'taken in' almost like a butt lift to get that skin flap taken care of.

******************** FIND A BULLDOG SPECIALIST IF YOU ARE THINKING OF THIS SURGERY ***************************

Make *SURE* they give the proper anesthesia - there is one, that is DEADLY to bullies - - - - - - (I Think people call it A.C.E. but I'm not 100% sure)


Now, 18 months post surgery... She is a totally different dog, different attitude, I can definitely say HAPPIER and HEALTHIER

************ I do not recommend this surgery ------ LIGHTLY **************************

Cost factor $2000 - $4000

I do have a picture of Gizmo Post Op -

Rick

The picture is on that link - its graphic though

http://www.flickr.com/photos/rettinger/6726455097/in/photostream


^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ :goodpost:
 
OP
bubs0604

bubs0604

New member
Sep 9, 2012
38
8
fairfield ca
Country
U.S.A
Bulldog(s) Names
Armstrong
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #4
Thank you for your post and picture. Gizmo reminds me so much of Armstrong! I love these dogs. The picture was completely surprising however. I did know it would make the entire tail obsolete. At this point though I was recommended to 2 outstanding vets (however the cost of just seeing him with the evaluation, x-rays, etc is a lot) I think at this point I have exhausted all of my options with my regular vet as he recommended me seeking 2nd and 3rd opinions. I in no way want to put Armstrong in danger but I see him suffering everyday and I am starting to feel helpless. This will not be an overnight decision as I have been speaking with other vets since early this year (just haven't taken him in yet due to me trying other routes) but something has to give. I just want to see him happy. How long was Gizmo's recovery time for?
 

RaRett

Oogle Me on Google
Community Veteran
Apr 15, 2012
1,475
194
Country
USA
Bulldog(s) Names
Missi -- With Gizmo and Hershey never far from my heart
Gizmo was (trying) to bounce around and be normal on the 3rd day, but we kept her mellow on the pain meds - they did keep her overnight for 2 nights I think to keep an eye on her. but she is happy and healthy, and being a PiTA right now cause she wants fed :) :)
 

bullmama

Owner/Administrator
Staff member
Community Veteran
Jan 28, 2010
24,756
1,251
Tucson, Arizona
Country
USA
Bulldog(s) Names
The Home of the Desert Sky Pack
[MENTION=572]Libra926[/MENTION] has exp here too, great info @rarhett :up:


Sent from my iPod touch using Tapatalk :)
 

Davidh

Head Pooper Scooper
Staff member
Mar 21, 2011
13,407
848
Katy, Texas
Country
USA
Bulldog(s) Names
BeBe, Hazel, Lucy Lu, JLO, Hillary, Henri, & Katie
[MENTION=5960]bubs0604[/MENTION] Our Lucy Lu had the same problem and we are fortunate enough to have a great bully vet. He did the surgery and Lucy came through it with flying colors. She was sore for a fee days but now no problem. Plus it only cost us about $600.00 with meds and everything. Find yourself a bully specialist and one that is familiar with this surgery and it should be fine. Using a vet that is not familiar with this kind of surgery can really screw things up. It was the best thing we ever did for our Lucy. He even left a little skin there so it looks like a little bun tail.
 
OP
bubs0604

bubs0604

New member
Sep 9, 2012
38
8
fairfield ca
Country
U.S.A
Bulldog(s) Names
Armstrong
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #8
Thank you for the information... I know it has been a while since you posted. It is getting worse each year. I have put up a donation website as I am in California and the surgery here will be around $2,300. As soon as this website approves it I can post the donation website for Armstrong here. I have done everything the Vet has told me to do and nothing is a permanent fix so far. He is infected daily and hurts everyday :( How has Lucy Lu been since the surgery? Is everything normal? I am hoping I can get this done in the spring of 2014. I just want Armstrong to be happy and not hurt anymore, plus not having to clean him 2-3 times a day will be a bonus!
 

Texas Carol

Texas Carol....put the heart in EBN
Community Veteran
Jul 4, 2012
7,581
832
Central Texas
Country
USA
Bulldog(s) Names
Brutus & Cami live in Heaven
Thank you for the information... I know it has been a while since you posted. It is getting worse each year. I have put up a donation website as I am in California and the surgery here will be around $2,300. As soon as this website approves it I can post the donation website for Armstrong here. I have done everything the Vet has told me to do and nothing is a permanent fix so far. He is infected daily and hurts everyday :( How has Lucy Lu been since the surgery? Is everything normal? I am hoping I can get this done in the spring of 2014. I just want Armstrong to be happy and not hurt anymore, plus not having to clean him 2-3 times a day will be a bonus!

Sounds like you've exhausted all options and he is suffering.
You've done due diligence too, I wish you & Armstrong all the
best and will keep y'all in prayer. Please let us know, GOD bless
with enough donations!
 

2BullyMama

I'm not OCD....now who moved my bulldog?
Staff member
Community Veteran
Jul 28, 2011
48,581
3,673
Gilbertsville, PA
Country
USA
Bulldog(s) Names
Chelios (Frenchie), Nitschke (2004-2011) Banks (2005-2014) and Lambeau (2014-2024)
Thank you for the information... I know it has been a while since you posted. It is getting worse each year. I have put up a donation website as I am in California and the surgery here will be around $2,300. As soon as this website approves it I can post the donation website for Armstrong here. I have done everything the Vet has told me to do and nothing is a permanent fix so far. He is infected daily and hurts everyday :( @davidh How has Lucy Lu been since the surgery? Is everything normal? I am hoping I can get this done in the spring of 2014. I just want Armstrong to be happy and not hurt anymore, plus not having to clean him 2-3 times a day will be a bonus!

See if any of this can be of help for you..

http://www.englishbulldognews.com/forums/showthread.php?22290-Financial-Assistance-With-Vet-Bills
 
OP
bubs0604

bubs0604

New member
Sep 9, 2012
38
8
fairfield ca
Country
U.S.A
Bulldog(s) Names
Armstrong
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #11
Thank you! But the best part is he is still so happy (because he is spoiled of course!) and is soooo loving. He has the best personality and knows I'm trying my best. We are connected to the hip I swear! lol I will let you know when I can get the website link up and thank you for the Prayers. It means a lot to me :) All the best.
 
OP
bubs0604

bubs0604

New member
Sep 9, 2012
38
8
fairfield ca
Country
U.S.A
Bulldog(s) Names
Armstrong
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #13
Thank you! But the best part is he is still so happy (because he is spoiled of course!) and is soooo loving. He has the best personality and knows I'm trying my best. We are connected to the hip I swear! lol I will let you know when I can get the website link up and thank you for the Prayers. It means a lot to me :) All the best.


Thank you! But the best part is he is still so happy (because he is spoiled of course!) and is soooo loving. He has the best personality and knows I'm trying my best. We are connected to the hip I swear! lol I will let you know when I can get the website link up and thank you for the Prayers. It means a lot to me :) All the best.

Sounds like you've exhausted all options and he is suffering.
You've done due diligence too, I wish you & Armstrong all the
best and will keep y'all in prayer. Please let us know, GOD bless
with enough donations!
 

Most Reactions

📰 Latest posts

Members online

No members online now.
Top