Help Needed! Tail Amputation or some other unknown illness.

[Hankster]

I know when I switched my dogs to grain free, they shed a lot and had dandruff, but it was a detoxification process, and at end of it they shed about the same as before and no dandruff. I think that the substitutions for grains that they use such as peas and lentils are a lot healthier than the grains. I also like giving dehydrated raw to avoid dog pee ruining my lawn and to help prevent dental plaque.

yes agreed on all, but especially I do know about the 'shedding and dandruff' as the detoxification process. Just gotta get through it and you may find some good results.

 

[Coree]

Sorry I have been slow in replying. We have been out of town for a few days. What a nightmare for you! Monty never had a complete amputation, just the tip and he had his tail pocket reconfigured so it wasn't deep anymore. We would have to give him a pretty thorough cleaning everytime he poo'd otherwise he would get infections and it was so much better after the surgery. Unfortunately, he started getting infections to the side (we thought it was his anal gland at first), it would drain a lot and smell bad. We would get it cleared up, then back it would come a few weeks later. After several go-arounds with that it was decided that something inside was causing the deep infection that antibiotics were unable to knock out completely and surgery was needed. Our vet operated on him and followed the course of the infection (several inches and a u-turn!) and found some ingrown hairs!! Something as minor as that caused it all. So far everything is looking good.

Do you have a Veterinary training college anywhere near you? I don't know where in the country you are but you have seen two bully vets with no definitive answer, so I would think about trying something else. We are very lucky here as we have Texas A & M University fairly close and our wonderful vet sent my sons dog there when they felt they couldn't help. If you don't have one within a few hours drive, maybe your vet could send your dogs records and see what they have to say. I really don't know what else to suggest. Others have given you good advice about different foods. I certainly hope you can get this cleared up, poor guy. I know how frustrating it can be and how worried for him you are. Let us know how it goes.

Thank you so much for your reply 1chumly. I'm sorry it's taken me so long to get back to you. When I originally signed up on this website, I was receiving email notifications when I had replies, but for some reason I didn't for quite a few it seems. We are still trying to find a diagnoses for our boy. They are currently treating him for nerve damage. The first few weeks of treatment we did see a change in him for the better and thought we had found the issue. He wasn't 100%, but seemed to be doing a lot better. When we went back for his recheck, they adjusted his nerve pain medication a little higher. We were hoping we had finally found the answer, but within a few days he was in a fit again, (backing into what ever he can, licking the air, running from himself, as if he's scared, depressed, not willing to go outside, and not eating much.) It is so heartbreaking, because we really believe he is in so much pain, that it's driving him crazy. We've even talked about the hard decision, of this not being a good quality of life for him, and that it's not fair for him to have to keep suffering, so we may have to put him to rest. It's just such a hard decision. I've been in tears for 2 days. Then today I noticed a fishy smell coming from his anal area again. I also noticed a small lump on the side. I've had his anal glands checked multiple times by 4 different vets now. All have said they are fine. I've noticed this smell one other time, and asked if it could be a perianal fistula. The vet felt around in there, and told me she didn't feel that was the issue. That's when she started him on the medication for the nerve pain. However this lump is something new, so I'm on here now trying to find anything I can on perianal fistula, or any other anal infection. I'm thinking I might finally be onto something. Looking back, I think the one time he was at his best was when they were thinking he might have h pylori, and they were treating him with a few really strong antibiotics. He did great, but within a few days of finishing the antibiotics, he was back to freaking out again. After reading about perianal fistula it seems it takes months of specific antibiotics to cure. I'm not sure if this is what he has, but any information anyone has, would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Coree]

Oh by the way, I'm not sure about Vet Colleges in the area, but I will definitely look into them. I am in Southern California. I have been thinking about taking him to another bulldog vet that's been recommended to me. I have stayed with this one so far, because they are the ones they have always been so highly recommended. I've met people there who have actually come from other states to see them. I've always gone to them with all of my Bullies, and they did his original surgery, and have the knowledge of each procedure we've tried, but I am thinking about getting another opinion.

 

[1Chumly]

[MENTION=17455]Coree[/MENTION]. I am so sorry to hear things have not improved. Poor Bubba. And poor you. I did a quick check and it seems UC Davis is THE place to go in CA. Unfortunately, it is not close to you. Road trip? I would seriously consider it as they are the institutions that train the vets you or I see. They are up on all the latest treatments. I would at the very least give them a call and see if they can suggest anything or anyone at all to help you. Do they have him on painkillers? What kind? Please let us know how things are going, we are all pulling for Bubba

 

[2BullyMama]

[MENTION=17455]Coree[/MENTION]... sending continued healing prayers... [MENTION=13737]1Chumly[/MENTION] is right-- find a vet school they are using all the up to date technology



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[Kris1818]

Hi everyone! I'm new here and Im definitely having tail pocket issues with my BoBo .... He is now 7 years old and until this past March has never had any tail pocket problems. We lost our Frenchie Brooklyn his best friend and we have had problems ever since! The vet swears its just coincidence but I truly believe he is having a hard time. I've been to 3 vets 1 bulldog specialist and numerous medications and nothing is working! All 3 vets want to remove his tail but I feel he is too old and I would be devastated if something where to happen to my boy! This last vet I was given Nolvasan cleanser Baytril 68mg tablets and Mupirocin ointment.Nothing is working ... He's so uncomfortable and stinky ... I have bath washes and I've tried witch hazel ....PLEASE has anyone had success in clearing the infection without tail amputation and how did you do it? I need help! Thank you sooo much!

 

[2BullyMama]

Hi everyone! I'm new here and Im definitely having tail pocket issues with my BoBo .... He is now 7 years old and until this past March has never had any tail pocket problems. We lost our Frenchie Brooklyn his best friend and we have had problems ever since! The vet swears its just coincidence but I truly believe he is having a hard time. I've been to 3 vets 1 bulldog specialist and numerous medications and nothing is working! All 3 vets want to remove his tail but I feel he is too old and I would be devastated if something where to happen to my boy! This last vet I was given Nolvasan cleanser Baytril 68mg tablets and Mupirocin ointment.Nothing is working ... He's so uncomfortable and stinky ... I have bath washes and I've tried witch hazel ....PLEASE has anyone had success in clearing the infection without tail amputation and how did you do it? I need help! Thank you sooo much!

[MENTION=13737]1Chumly[/MENTION] went through a long ordeal with her baby Monty and it turned out to be a deep internal infection. I also had to have my boy's removed, but he was 18 months old.

 

[helsonwheels]

Hi everyone! I'm new here and Im definitely having tail pocket issues with my BoBo .... He is now 7 years old and until this past March has never had any tail pocket problems. We lost our Frenchie Brooklyn his best friend and we have had problems ever since! The vet swears its just coincidence but I truly believe he is having a hard time. I've been to 3 vets 1 bulldog specialist and numerous medications and nothing is working! All 3 vets want to remove his tail but I feel he is too old and I would be devastated if something where to happen to my boy! This last vet I was given Nolvasan cleanser Baytril 68mg tablets and Mupirocin ointment.Nothing is working ... He's so uncomfortable and stinky ... I have bath washes and I've tried witch hazel ....PLEASE has anyone had success in clearing the infection without tail amputation and how did you do it? I need help! Thank you sooo much!

Nyala my brindle has same issue. As most knows in here I use a mixture of essential oils to keep it at bay. I do it every 2 days. If not 2-3 days, it will become infected, smelly and sometimes can have bit of blood. I do the mixture and it stays clean. Say my vet this week and even her said keep doing what you are doing. I would give it a try if I were you before a tail amputation especially at 7yrs old. At least like that you would have tried other possibilities before amputation. That's my 2cents worth.

15 drops Lavender
15 drops Geranium
15 drops Frankincense
15 drops Basil
10 drops Arborvitae
10 drops of tea tree

Add all to 3oz of fractionated coconut oil (clear one) n shake well. Do NOT use just oils on its own they need to be mix with a carrier oil like coconut oil

 

[Kris1818]

Thank you so much I going to try this

 

[Dollys Owner]

Hi everyone! I'm new here and Im definitely having tail pocket issues with my BoBo .... He is now 7 years old and until this past March has never had any tail pocket problems. We lost our Frenchie Brooklyn his best friend and we have had problems ever since! The vet swears its just coincidence but I truly believe he is having a hard time. I've been to 3 vets 1 bulldog specialist and numerous medications and nothing is working! All 3 vets want to remove his tail but I feel he is too old and I would be devastated if something where to happen to my boy! This last vet I was given Nolvasan cleanser Baytril 68mg tablets and Mupirocin ointment.Nothing is working ... He's so uncomfortable and stinky ... I have bath washes and I've tried witch hazel ....PLEASE has anyone had success in clearing the infection without tail amputation and how did you do it? I need help! Thank you sooo much!

Nolvasan is chlorhexidine. Try the essential oils if you can get them. Also try mixing in a little bit of chlorhexidine or preferably a chlorhexidine/ketoconazole shampoo like ketohex or curaseb with some water in a spray bottle, and spray forcibly into the tail area until everything is clean. You can try after the shampoo mixing up a 1% vinegar solution (20% vinegar, 80% water) and spraying that too.Then dry, then apply the mupirocin ointment or maybe even try manuka honey >15 strength (even better). If the infection is deep this probably won't work but again, at least you have tried everything.

 

[Coree]

[MENTION=17455]Coree[/MENTION]. I am so sorry to hear things have not improved. Poor Bubba. And poor you. I did a quick check and it seems UC Davis is THE place to go in CA. Unfortunately, it is not close to you. Road trip? I would seriously consider it as they are the institutions that train the vets you or I see. They are up on all the latest treatments. I would at the very least give them a call and see if they can suggest anything or anyone at all to help you. Do they have him on painkillers? What kind? Please let us know how things are going, we are all pulling for Bubba

Thank you for your suggestion. I am taking him back to the vet tomorrow with my latest findings of this fishy smell. If they are unable to come up with a diagnosis on this trip, I am going to seek the advice from another bulldog specialist I've been referred to by a few others. If I can't get help there, I will definitely call Uc Davis.
You had asked about the medications that they have him on now.. He is on Zd ulta dog food, omeprazole for acid reflex. Gabapentin for nerve pain, and Deramaxx for pain. All though we've seen a bit of improvement each time they try something new, he always returns to the same symptoms in time. I'm really not sure how if this is nerve damage from his tail amputation or if it's some sort of infection now that I'm noticing that fishy smell coming from his rear. Thank you so much for all your suggestions!

 

[Coree]

[MENTION=17455]Coree[/MENTION]... sending continued healing prayers... [MENTION=13737]1Chumly[/MENTION] is right-- find a vet school they are using all the up to date technology



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thank you so much for the healing Prayers!

 

[Coree]

Hi everyone! I'm new here and Im definitely having tail pocket issues with my BoBo .... He is now 7 years old and until this past March has never had any tail pocket problems. We lost our Frenchie Brooklyn his best friend and we have had problems ever since! The vet swears its just coincidence but I truly believe he is having a hard time. I've been to 3 vets 1 bulldog specialist and numerous medications and nothing is working! All 3 vets want to remove his tail but I feel he is too old and I would be devastated if something where to happen to my boy! This last vet I was given Nolvasan cleanser Baytril 68mg tablets and Mupirocin ointment.Nothing is working ... He's so uncomfortable and stinky ... I have bath washes and I've tried witch hazel ....PLEASE has anyone had success in clearing the infection without tail amputation and how did you do it? I need help! Thank you sooo much!

Hi Kristy! I would recommend exactly what the ladies above recommended to you. I also just wanted to add that If I could go back in time, I would not do the tail amputation. I know every situation is different, and I read so many positive reviews from others having it done, but after my experience, I would only recommend it as a very last resort. I hope the advice the others have recommended to you has worked for you!

 

[1Chumly]

How did Bubba get on today at the vets today? I hope they had some answers for you. I am not familiar with either one of those painkillers but that doesn't mean anything so don't be concerned. In the past one time they put Monty on Rimadyl which did absolutely nothing for his pain and so we changed to Tramadol, which helped a lot. Let us know what happened.

 

[sunkissedpr1ncs]

Poor Bubba! I am praying you find some answers. I know exactly the behavior you are describing, our Barkley does this from time to time and I feel so bad for him. He will scurry from place to place low to the ground and sit down really quick, licking the air, hiding in his crate, etc.

It seemed to start a few years ago when we moved to Houston and it only gets really bad a couple times a year so I really think it is due to allergies. He has a pretty tight and deep tail pocket but I keep it really clean and never have much hair or gunk come out. When it first started happening I took him to a vet (before we found a great bulldog vet) and they didn’t really know but gave him some Apoquel and that seemed to help some plus I was cleaning it and putting Gold bond powder in the tail pocket.

He’s not on any medication now, I give him Benadryl once in awhile. Like I said, his only happens kind of bad a couple times a year and doesn’t last very long. He will usually go to sleep and wake up back to normal. I can’t imagine it being non-stop like with Bubba, I know that would drive him and me completely crazy. I really hope you find some answers soon and poor Bubba can get some relief.


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