Dog has had tail amputated

[DoraTheScottishExplorer]

My dog has unfortunately had to have his tail amputated today due to a tumour found on it. The tumour was fairly small and unlikely to be cancerous but don't have results yet. He's spending tonight in the hospital and I've to collect him tomorrow evening. Does anyone have any experience of recovery from this kinda op? He's 7 years old and fairly healthy.

Any experience that would put my mind at rest would be much appreciated. He is 100% my pfd and I spend all my time worrying about him, mostly cause he regularly does stupid stuff to himself.

He'll probably be in a lot of pain to start with (first 12 hours or so) and you may find, if he retains some tail, that it takes a long time to heal as the blood supply to the tail is poor. Healing for my dog (amputation due to injury) was prolonged and took about a month.

However, once the tail is healed he should be fine. Mine lost his balance once soon afterwards, but never again. His tail stump never bothered him.

Hope the results from the tumour are in your favour.

They soon bounce back. Ours had a hind leg amputated in April due to aggressive cancer. He was walking within 24 hours and running inside of 3 days after the op. Now he’s just over confident with it

Tail amputation isn't the same as leg amputation in that respect.

It can take a long time for it to heal when they're adults, especially if it wasn't an entire amputation as @EdithStourton says.

Biggest issue for some owners is stopping the dog getting to the wound. In seconds a dog can undue all the good work of the surgeons. so being vigilant and working hard to keep cone or whatever is needed to stop the dog reaching for the wound helps a speedier recovery.

It does depend on the tail, the position of the amputation etc but your dog will get better and will manage ok when all is healed.

A worrying time for you - hope he is back with you soon

Thanks everyone. Had a call from the vets and he is up and about so they are happy to discharge him this afternoon. He's to wear a cone etc although I think for the most part as it's pretty much all his tail that's been amputated he probably won't be able to get near his sitches to easily.

He's had a few ops previously and have never had much issue keeping him away from wounds it's always been keeping him from running about that's the issue.

I'm glad he'll be home today!

My friends dog injured her tail recently and it took 6-8 weeks to fully recover as the wound kept splitting open again 🙈

You absolutely should keep the cone on longer than you think - they really can't be trusted and the tiniest bit of scab can be turned into a significant opening in an hour.

I have no advice about recovering from the op, but our miniature dachshund was born without a tail, she literally has a stump and that’s it - it’s never affected her with regards to balance etc.

so hopefully when he’s healed, he will be a happy boy and carry on as before

Im a bit late but our pup has his amputated at 11 months

He had hidden himself behind a recliner and my FIL went to get out the seat and his tail got stuck in the mechanics

Looking back now, I wish we didnt panic and rush taking him out because it was his hair that was stuck not the tail itself, but he was pulling soo much trying to get out it bruised and hurt the nerve endings

He was tired and on drugs for about two weeks and got very attached to us afterwards
But he is two now, having no tail doesnt bother him, he is happy and playful and sociable
We just made sure we got him back into his routine as soon as he was able

My dog felt he was recovered 3 days post op and has been in huff on every walk since has he hasn't been allowed to run in the snow. He is due to get his stitches out on Monday and fingers cross will be allowed to a run then as he's wired to the moon.