any advice on slow to heal dog wound?

[apricot72]

Our dog (border collie) had to have her tail amputated nearly 3 weeks ago. Long story but involved getting too close to a cattle trailer. The initial stitches fell out, then it was stapled, then the wound opened again and now we're left with quite a large area of open tissue at the end of the stump. Not nice to look at and I'm sure not nice to have!

She's on stronger antibiotics and the vet says it will heal but it'll be slow and there's no choice but just to leave it open, keep it clean and it'll heal by second intention as there's not enough skin to restitch. It's just in such a bad place, she must keep bashing it every time she sits or lies down and I find it really hard to imagine how it's ever going to close over.

I have every faith in our vet and I'm not doubting the management plan, I suppose I'd just like to hear some stories of hope from dog owners who've been through the same. She's got a buster collar on full time (not walks obviously) and is definitely not getting at it but it's just such a miserable life for her at the moment - stupid collar on, no big runs and a great big sore and itchy wound.

I did read something about manuka honey but am very dubious about putting something on the wound which is just going to attract more crud. Might ask the vet about it next week though.

Feeling v sorry for my big dog. Little dog meanwhile is loving the fact that she gets to go on all the big fell runs as normally they alternate....

Awaiting stories from wise doghouse people! Thank you.

I'd use Manuka. When our girl had a wound she was on ABs, but used Manuka too (actually got some in a tube from the vet - much easier to apply). I wrapped a sheet round the (tummy) wound, then put a dog coat on to keep the sheet in place. Not so easy on your dog but I'm sure you could fashion some pants - maybe use a sheet in a nappy style? Good luck, hope your poor dog is better soon.

Thank you 1MitchellMum. You've got me thinking, maybe just a pair of my pants would do, they should cover the stump quite tightly and at least keep the wound / honey from getting dirty. Did you have a dressing on underneath the sheet? Otherwise I assume you'd disturb the wound everytime you took the covering off?

No, the honey kept it moist so the sheet didn't stick. I had the sheet cut into several pieces so I could keep them washed.

I know the vet has said keep it open but, if you did want to cover it, what about those tubular bandages you can get for fingers?
Not the plastic finger stalls, the proper bandage that's a long tube.

Personally I always always bandage these kind of tail tip injuries as leaving them open just allows for further trauma when they are not sutured. Dechra make a range of specialist veterinary dressings impregnated with Manuka which I have had enormous success with. I am a big fan of medical grade Manuka and use it a lot.

Thanks all. The problem is that the stump is really small - the whole tail has been amputated, not just the tip. Probably a 2cm length stump? So the vet says it would be very difficult to dress. The only thing I can think of is as I put earlier - a dressing with a pair of pants over?! But obviously would need removing for every walk, and we're trying to give her frequent lead walks just to stop her from going mad. A confined collie is not a good thing.
Lonecat, would you still attempt to dress a stump that short?

Ah that short I would suggest a pair of boxers for in the house. These work better than knickers.

So stick the dressing on, boxers / pants (I've got various of those shorts type pants) over the top and then put a fresh dressing on after every walk?
If I go to the vets with this plan on monday morning are they going to think I'm telling them their job?! But it certainly sounds like the best idea so far.

Not for covering the wound - but would an inflatable collar be better?

Tried an inflatable collar but she could get to the wound with a bit of stretching and contorting. She is remarkably tolerant of everything but just looks resigned and fed up.

Yeah my boy is wandering round with a buster collar on looking the same way, lol...of course if he hadn't chewed a hole in his own leg then he wouldn't have to be wearing it...

We have a small kitchen which the dogs are confined to and you can just hear her banging into everything all night. I was v excited to find inflatable collars but sadly the buster collars seem to be the only foolproof anti-wound-worry device.
Hope your dog's leg gets better soon!