I hope I can get some helpful answers here. I have a 6 week puppy that the previous owner has placed a rubber band on her tail. I don't know what to do or what to expect. There is a part of me that wants to take it off but I am not sure how long it has been on there. It looks painful.
Any suggestions?
Rhonda
2007-01-14 23:24:32 · 9 answers · asked by rhondastwitty 2 in Pets ➔ Dogs
She is austrailian shepherd and blue healer mix.
2007-01-14 23:30:39 · update #1
I was thinking the same thing about infection. I was already planning to take her to the vet on Wednesday of this week...
2007-01-14 23:38:24 · update #2
******* Update ********
I took Cookie to the vet. She had her tail removed. What was left anyway.... It was getting infected.
I wanted to comment on the 6 week thing. The previous owner wasn't sure how old she is.. But I think she is at least 8 weeks because I remember about when she was born.
Thanks everyone for the answers. I am glad that I took her to the vet today. She is on oral and topical antibiotics and she received her first set of shots.
2007-01-15 04:26:30 · update #3
Someone has (poorly)attempted to dock the tail. Do NOT try to remove it. Take the pup to the vet and make sure there is no infection. The vet will probably remove the tail. If the rubber band has been on the tail for more than a few hours there is already tissue damage and it cant be saved. It IS very painful to the pup and should have been done when it was only days old. Six weeks is not the time.
Infection can grow rapidly. I personally would go sooner than later.
DO NOT REMOVE THE BAND YOURSELF IF IT HAS BEEN ON THERE FOR MORE THAN 24 HOURS.
If it was done improperly and there is infection, by removing it you can help it spread. At this point you have two choices. Leave it until the tail falls off or go to vet and get it done Now!!!!
You don't have the experience to handle this if you are asking here. At the very least call the vet today and explain the situation. ASK their advice it is also free over the phone.
2007-01-14 23:30:12 · answer #1 · answered by st.lady (1 of GitEm's gang) 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
DO NOT WAIT UNTIL WEDNESDAY!!! TAKE YOUR PUP TO THE VET TODAY!!!!!
The person who did that is an a$$ and should be reported to the SPCA. In many states this is not a legal way to dock a tail. In Europe it is not legal at all! It should have been done surgically by a proper vet when the pups are much younger. By the way, in many states it is illegal to sell or transfer the pups before 8 weeks of age. Please check your local laws, and if this person violated that as well, they really need to be stopped as soon as possible. Their dogs need to be at least spayed or neutered so the cycle of breeding, amd consequently the abuse of puppies for a quick buck is stopped!
Please do not delay, DO NOT try to take it off yourself. It may be hugely infected or the tail may need to be amputated right away by Wednesday. PLEASE ask your vet about local laws as well. They should help you report this person!
Blessings, and get to the vet NOW! -dd
2007-01-15 09:22:14 · answer #2 · answered by dedum 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Take her to the vet and he will probably dock the tail for you. The person was wanting the tail to fall off, and it has to rot off,gross.Ask the vet if he docks it for you will the hair cover all the way to the tip.I knew a guy that done that to his dog and the tip came off, but the tip of the dogs tail never had any hair over it.Good luck with the puppy.
2007-01-15 10:58:49 · answer #3 · answered by Maw-Maw 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ask your vet. What breed of dog is it? The objective here is to dock the animal's tail, and I am sure it is uncomfortable. It should have been done long before 6 weeks.
Ask your vet.
2007-01-15 07:29:20 · answer #4 · answered by kelly24592 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Ask your vet.Ive nver heard of a rubberband on a dogs tail.That is very painful to the dog!! The previous owner was pry an animal abuser!
2007-01-15 09:50:58 · answer #5 · answered by Nicollette 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
TAKE it off it is painful it would hurt you if you put it on your finger and kept it on right. Seems what the old owner was trying to do is crop the tail that's NOT the way to do that. Please take the rubber band off ASAP
2007-01-15 08:29:13 · answer #6 · answered by Super Mom 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
they usually put rubber band on a puppys tail so that it will fall off and have a nub tail so if u want it to have a long tail then have the vet remove it and get lotion for it but if u want it to have a nub tail then leave it.
2007-01-15 08:05:27 · answer #7 · answered by bunny fun rabbitry 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
I would take it to the vet,asap so that they can give the puppy the proper meds and care that the puppy should need.
2007-01-15 09:05:26 · answer #8 · answered by Sherri W 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
get a cat they are way more intelligent, then again they are the 'smart mans pet'.
2007-01-15 07:27:56 · answer #9 · answered by trysssa999 3 · 0⤊ 4⤋