A friend of ours has a 10 month old lab,in the mornings when they come downstairs he wags his tail so much banging it on doors ect that it bleeds so much blood is splatered everywere,can anyone help?

Sheila. x

I've had a couple of IWs who split their tails and they are the devil and all to get healed up! The first thing I do is carefully clean the split, then tape a large hair curler - the big hollow sort - over the split. The curler has to fit loosely over the tail and has to be removed every day to check that the split is not getting infected. I've been lucky with my two and the curler treatment has worked - but it took quite a while and a lot of patience both times.

Split tail can be serious and can become chronically infected and even lead to amputation of the tail. I've heard of others having success on small splits using many layers of artificial skin dressings but have not used the method myself. Vets will usually just dress the tail, changing the dressing regularly, but in breeds like the IW (and I'd guess the Labrador) who slash the tail about when wagging, and hit it on hard objects, this doesn't seem to give enough protection. Also the curler method has the advantage of letting air at the split. The main disadvantage is that other people are a bit puzzled to see a dog with a giant curler taped to it's tail! :)

How about trying to get a really good sit/stay while they approach and then encourage the dog into a more open area for fuss?  Sorry if this is a stupid unrealistic suggestion!  Very difficult I know.:)

Good luck.

I'm afraid my dogs story ended with amputation after a whole year of repairs and various methods tried.  There is a lab with an amputated tail on our shoot too.

Fagan, my Irish Setter, is always splitting his tail open, I have to let him out as soon as I get in from work to stop him banging it.  His brother lost the end of his tail due to gangrene.

They could bring him upstairs with them at night. Obviously they didn't want him up there if he isn't now, but if morning wagging is the only time it's problem it would be a cure.

My dog sleeps in our room. He knows to leave us alone until the alarm goes off. He just quietly sleeps until it's time for cuddles. And I'm a very light sleeper.

When mine did that (a very waggy bitch whose tail used to hit her sides and cover them with blood too) I used to make up a solution of alum (dilution rate as per instructions on the box) with a few drops of TCP added. I'd dip the end of the tail into this two or three times a day for a few days. The alum is a styptic which stopped the bleeding and dried up the skin. I then gently rubbed in a little baby oil to get the skin supple again, and it worked brilliantly.

It would also help to get him outside as quickly as they can so there's less for him to hit his tail on. :)

At the risk of everyone taking offence/jumping down my throat etc etc......

why is the dog not taken out of harms way if this is happening?

Obviously they may not have a garden etc etc but I don't understand...... sorry:rolleyes:

What is happining is the dog hears them getting up so think he has been wagging his tail for a couple of minutes before they can get to him.

Sheila. x

OOOOOOH I see! wouldn't the dog be better off with them or nearer to them at night then so it doesn't get so over excited in the morning and injure itself and all sorts of nasty things....

My labs sleep with me in bed,but as you know some owners dont like pets upstairs Buster is a much loved dog and very well looked after, I have sent the owner a link of all your replies which I am sure will help.

Sheila. x

I wasn't doubting that he wasn't loved so I hope they don't take it the wrong way.

Mine sleep with me so I guess I don't understand how some people leave theirs at night but that's just me and not a criticism.  I like mine with me so I know they are ok through the night.

Hope Buster is ok....cool name for a lab!

He is a lovely boy, I am like you mine our with me always even my cat Lucy she is 20 years old now such a worry at this age she is my Angel.

Sheila. X