dog tail break HELP?

Question

i found it disturbing that my vet IMMEDIETLY advised amputation after literally 10 seconds of inspection. my dog is very furry so that would make it harder. the area did look a little bruised and blood could be seen (NOT pouring out, at the end of the tail) but it had no obvious kinks in it. why didnt my vet even SUGGEST an x-ray. he said only to amputate, he even booked us in after a TOTAL of 3 minutes of inspection (including injecting pain killers, antibiotic and weighing him)
the vet drives a brand new x5 (new model) so maybe hes looking for money?
what else could of happened? bruised muscles, could a splint help in fixing a dislocation, break? or is amputation the ONLY way to go?

th vet also took my dog away from me for the night, is this normal? why couldnt we drop him back the next morning? did he NOT want us to inspect the tail?

i dont intend on fixing this myself, but i dont want my baby to lose his tail if he doesnt have to!!

well we did sign surgery papers (for surgery next morning) but he was not given any anesthesia, just pain killers. why couldnt we bring him back early the next morning? he was taken out the back (my guess is to a small cage) away from the surgery table where any injections would be made. i dont understand why he never mentioned alternatives

yes we were at the vet within 5 minutes of the event (car tyre, not sure if i mentioned this) very shaken so we just wanted our dog well again! hes been in the family 8 years now, very special, so we didnt even look at the tail ourselves before we took him to the vet.

Answer 1

you know what you should have told him no thank you it is your dog and it is your decision and if he did not want to give my dog back I would have phoned the police right then and there and paid him for what they did and I would be gone . I have a chihuahua that had a broken tail when he was younger and I took him anyway cause he is a doll and did not care that his tail was broken and my vet saw that and said did you know his tail has been broken and I said yes and that was the end of it . No mention ever of amputation . I would have picked my dog up and paid and left . end of story . I think your vet over stepped his place and I would not go back there . good luck .

Answer 2

Most tail fractures, are not really visiable on a x-ray,, unless there is obvious displacement,, it is generally diagnosed by feel.. If the tail below the bruse was cold, then the blood supply was damaged.. and the tail will die,, and amputation is the best alternative/treatment..

Tails unforutnaly "can" heal but if circulation is disterbed, often do go necrotic and die,, splinting does not often work, and after days and weeks of discomfort for the dog, often need to be amputated in the end..
As far as taking the dog,, it is a bit odd, but may have been just a case of planning on doing the surgery early in the morning, and it honestly is easier to keep the dog overnight give them good doses of pain management, keep them quiet and do the surgery in the morning,, Also is easier to the owner.. then to come back in the morning, and also have a uncomfortable dog all night.. It could have been someting as simple as making getting the dog in for surgery easier for you.. but poor communication..
IF you are not comfortable with the diagnosis.. or leaving the dog.. Get a second opinion.. if it feels wrong then go somewhere else.. you can always go back,, and no vet has a problem with someone going for a second opinion..
Amanda

Answer 3

I would want a second opinion on this. I cannot understand why a vet would even countenance amputation without xrays etc. Do take your dog to another vet for another opinion. I am really suspicious of any medical practitioner (whether for humans or animals) who would make such a quick decision without further investigation. It is your dog!!! look after it and make sure you get the correct diagnosis. My cat had an accident when he was only 9 weeks old, he was totally paralysed in his back legs but my vet advised that I let him rest and see how he went. He is now a 6yr old bruiser. I was very fortunate, other vets would have suggested I had him put to sleep. Please follow your own instincts and get a second opinion.

Answer 4

If you are indeed all that concerned, seek a second opinion.

The tail is an extension of the spinal chord. So no amount of splinting, would make any difference in a break.

And your own examination of the tail could make things worse by spreading bone fragments, tearing soft tissues and cause other complications - which would make covering the stump, etc. more difficult - and leave your dog with a still shorter tail.

Again, it doesn't hurt to seek a second opinion.

Answer 5

Then you shouldn't have signed the papers and immediately taken him to another doctor or two for more opinions on the situation, or ask for an x-ray. He doesn't sound like a very good vet though...

Answer 6

Its a difficult thing to splint and sucess rate is low. if you want to try it needs a SOFT bandage splint and carefull watching to make sure the tail is not dying. A hard splint invariably ends up causeing the tail to break above the splint.

Answer 7

this is sad ,i know sometimes a very badly damaged tail needs amputating as gangarene can start,you really need a second opinion

Answer 8

here's link for you to check out.
http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/hushpuppy/tailinjury.htm

also,,if you are not satified with the diagnosis,,get a second opinion