My dog *ATE* her tail! Please help! 
paganfroglady
15 y
51,421
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I have a 6 year old Lab, I've had her ever since she was a puppy. She gets fed well, gets lots of attention. My husband and I both work full time, but this is normal. We make sure that she gets plenty of exercise (we live in an apartment) and she has lots of chew toys.
Over this past year, she has started acting more destructive. She started by chewing holes in the wall. Then she ATE a hardback book. She left the innards, but she ate the hardback covers. She then started chewing on the tip of her tail. This was a problem because she wags her tail really hard and was hitting it on the wall and leaving blood marks. It also made it difficult to heal. I would wrap bandages on there, but she would wag so hard the bandages would fly off. Or she would chew the bandage off. She was constantly trying to lick her tail. I even put an elizabethan collar on her but she could still get at her tail. The past few days it seemed like her tail was finally starting to heal. She'd been acting more subdued, but I thought that was because I had put a sock on the end of her tail to try and get her to leave it alone (it didn't work)
But then I came home yesterday and she had completely chewed off and EATEN the tip of her tail (about 3 inches). There was blood everywhere. She is acting like her self, I guess, she's still somewhat subdued but she was happy to see me when I came home, wagging what is left of her tail. The bleeding stopped, she doesn't act like she is in any pain. But I am at a complete loss as to what to do with her. I don't know why she is acting like this. And why she ATE her tail. I have an appointment to take her to the vet in the morning. I don't know if she is not right in the head. If she was being neglected I could understand that but she isn't. We spend almost all of our time with her when we come home from work. I don't know if she needs to be put down or not, but it's breaking my heart, so I am hoping that you guys can give me some advice/feedback. It's the eating the tail part that is making me wonder if she's all there anymore. I'm sorry to ramble, I'm just upset and desperate. Thanks!!!!
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- Re: My dog *ATE* her tail! Please h... Raynbo
15 y
42,424
MoreThis is a reply to # 1,409,339How awful! You must be very upset.
The first thing I would do is put her in a collar when ever she is alone so she can't do more damage before this problem is solved. I would then take her to the vet for a thorough exam. I would also start spiking her water with Rescue Remedy by Bach Flowers.
This may be an onset of separation anxiety... Does she chew her tail when you are home?
What do you feed her? What kind of supplements does she get?- Re: My dog *ATE* her tail! Please h... paganfroglady
15 y
42,107
This is a reply to # 1,409,350>>>The first thing I would do is put her in a collar when ever she is alone so she can't do more damage before this problem is solved. I would then take her to the vet for a thorough exam. I would also start spiking her water with Rescue Remedy by Bach Flowers.<<<
Vet appt is at 9am tomorrow. She is either coming home or *sob* being put down. I don't want to just leave her at the shelter. I just read about the Rescue Remedy so I will try that.
>>>This may be an onset of separation anxiety... Does she chew her tail when you are home?<<<
She does do it when we are home too. I'm assuming she does it less, if only because we are there to tell her no. I'm just wondering why, after all this time, she would start to have separation anxiety?
>>>What do you feed her? What kind of supplements does she get?<<<
Right now she is on Innova, and sometimes she gets people food like carrots or apples or crackers. I was going to start weaning her off dog food and onto a diet of things like organic meats, veggies, whole grains, eggs, and cottage cheese, and maybe one day a BARF diet.
As far as supplements go, I had tried to give her valerian root to relax, but I didn't notice a difference, so I stopped. I was also giving her fish oil, but I ran out and haven't bought more. That was supposed to be a preventative.
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- Re: Gasp! Raynbo
15 y
41,937
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This is a reply to # 1,409,356Don't you think it is a bit premature to consider putting her down? Did you discuss her symptoms with the vet over the phone and they told you it could be something terrible? Personally, I wouldn't even think of such a thing, even if the tail had to be amputated...
If it is anxiety, and suddenly eating books and things sounds like it to me, you could try prozac...I am not a fan of such things, but it is better then death. Certainly she deserves a chance to get better...a decision that big should not be made in one day. If you can't tolerate destructive behavior, find a way to confine her..maybe in the kitchen. (Remove chairs or anything she could chew on and give her some kind of bedding.)
I hope someone at Curezone intervens and gives you more advise then I can right now.
Please let me know that the vet says. Get a diagnosis and then get some holistic help.- Re: Gasp! paganfroglady
15 y
41,972
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This is a reply to # 1,409,436My only thoughts about putting her down were if there was something wrong with her mentally. I could not pawn her off on someone, and if it is just anxiety then I would definitely keep her. I do not want to do anything prematurely, and I do have an appointment with the vet tomorrow morning. I tried to explain the situation over the phone, but the receptionist said I just need to make an appointment. I am going to get some of the Bach Flower remedy tonight to put in her water. I didn't mean to offend, and I was not considering putting her down lightly. I have been crying (at work even, and I work the front desk) since last night because I just don't know what to do.- Re: Gasp! Raynbo
15 y
41,859
This is a reply to # 1,409,494I am sure you are upset. I am sorry if you thought I was yelling at you. I only meant to put on the brakes...it's way too soon to think of such things.
If this is mental, Bach Flower remedies could do wonders...not just the rescue remedy...but you might want to look into homeopathy...and I wasn't kidding about the prozac...even though I hate the thought....at least short term.
My 20 year old kitty (who suffered from kidney failure the last 6 years of her life) began urinating all over the carpets about six months before she died. It was horrible. I found a great homeopath...who worked with an animal communicator...and they stopped it! (They worked on her mental acuity...and over all body strength). If you are interested, I think I might still have their number. The communicator's name is Winterhawk...you might be able to google her.
By the way, I kept my kitty fat, sassy and happy for six years or more with kidney failure by using holistic methods...most kitties get bone thin at that age...but she was still plump the day she died...
So hang in there huggy bear. First a diagnosis...and then a way to fix it. Your dog is only 6 years old. I truly believe in my heart that she is fixable.
When our non-human friends get sick, it is a great way for us to learn about the power of healing. Even if it's cancer...there are folks here at CZ that can help...
- Re: Gasp! Raynbo
15 y
41,859
- Re: Gasp! paganfroglady
15 y
41,972
- Re: Gasp! Raynbo
15 y
41,937
- Re: My dog *ATE* her tail! Please h... paganfroglady
15 y
42,107
- Re: My dog *ATE* her tail! Please h... MadArtist
15 y
42,192
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This is a reply to # 1,409,339Oh my goodness! I am so sorry about this very upsetting situation!
By all means I do not think it is a matter of putting her down. I do not have an answer, but remember when my kitty's get an allergic reaction their tails suddendly dissappear form their licking and bititng.
I had no idea what is was, just that their tails were going down down down.
There are also posts of other people that say the same about their dogs with exzema - they literally scratch and bite themselves raw.
I hope you get an answer from you vet, and maybe contact the dog whisperer? He is so amazing with animal queries I wonder if that may be possible? http://www.cesarmillaninc.com/
anxiety (chew at themselves)ref.:
http://www.sessionswithcesar.com/lessons/anxiety.aspx
I found these through a quick search but you may be able to email him or go to the library and read or watch one of his video lessons? Just thinking w/you here.
I hope your little one gets better soon.
MadArt (ist) - Update paganfroglady
15 y
41,978
This is a reply to # 1,409,339I took Max to the vet this morning. She acted like her normal self, very happy and energetic. The vet said she looked and acted healthy, and wasn't running a fever. Without her acting like this before, the vet thinks that she somehow injured her tail, and that sometimes dogs will eat their tail if it was injured. She did very well by chewing it off at the joint, so there was no bone sticking out, but there was still exposed tissue. The vet is going to dock her tail some so that it is a nice clean incision and will hopefully heal without infection. They said that the only time they perform surgeries is to spay/neuter, so since she hasn't been spayed they are going to spay her and dock her tail at the same time. She goes in tomorrow morning! Perhaps with her being spayed will help calm her down, spaying was just never an issue because she always ran away from boy dogs when she was in heat (my puritanical dog!) and being almost 7 I thought it was too late to do it.
The clinic staff just loved her, they thought she was so adorable and so happy wagging her stumpy tail. The vet was going to prescribe something called ClomiCalm (or something similar) but I didn't get any when I left so I don't know if I will get it after her surgery? I hate giving unnecessary meds. I am definitely going to look into the flower essences, plus try and get her into the holistic vet in town.
Thank you all so much for your support, that's why I love CZ so much!- Re: Update Megabite
15 y
41,802
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This is a reply to # 1,410,054She's not spayed? Well that could be the key right there.
You might want to also try the Canine version of Feliway plug-in (normally for Cats but they have a Dog version) at your Pet Shop. It gives of pheromones that are comforting and similar to the scent that a mother dog gives off when she is taking care of her pups.
. - Re: Update imnamericanwmn
9 y
16,684
This is a reply to # 1,410,054Hello, I know it's 2015 and you posted this in 2009. I have had Harmony, one of my Shepherds to the vet recently because of this. We are not doing the surgery just yet. She is 9 years old. The Veterinarians in my office and I have found that many dogs that have the surgery end up eating their tails again...
We are simply bandaging constantly and using an e-collar with Antibiotics and are giving her stronger allergy relief medications and changing her diet yet again. If you happen to see this, or if anyone else that happens to see this can tell me just one success story, that tail docking works, my Vets and I will consider it (there are three veterinarians in the office I go to...none are very positive about this...). They have experienced more of your first solution. Having to put the dog down. I see that 35,000 other people have hit this post...I need help and true stories without criticism and stupid judgmental comments or dialogue about others whom have experienced this.
In a lifetime of dog ownership, usually having three at a time, I have never experienced this. It is strange, unique, and very sad to witness. It is very confusing because she is happy, looks at me like I'm wrong for telling her no or leave it, and simply just seems to want her tail gone on her own terms. I am so angry with wrongful accusations and assumptions by those that post rude, inconclusive, bad ideological diagnosis, and/or guilt ridden comments.
I am looking for truthful (although it may be sad) conclusive results from those that have truly lived with this.- Re: Update - help on my Jack Russell Mareli
8 y
14,975
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This is a reply to # 2,288,989Hallo. I also need urgent advise. I'm currently going through the same thing with my jack Russell (7years old). Never before has something like this happened. About 2 weeks ago she started biting her tail and one day when I got home she ate half her tail. I immediately went to the vet. They operated and gave her stitches with an E- collar. 2 days from there she manipulated her collar and start eating again.... Again she got a second op and bigger collar. .... Today when I got home she again manipulated her collar and did some damage again to her tail. I truly do not know what to do.... Please advise if someone has found a cure or reason why they do this? I really want to help her and any advise will help. Please can someone advise? - Re: Update deanna1025
8 y
13,394
Lugol’s Iodine Free S&H
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This is a reply to # 2,288,989It is now 2016 and I have a shepherd doing the same thing. She is a rescue dog and when we found her she had a broken tail and the tip of her tail was chewed off--plus she was missing all of the hair on her tail and backside. She did a month of Antibiotics , now wags her tail, and, with the exception of about 2 inches, all of her hair had grown back and her tail was fuzzy....and then she started chewing off her tail! I know the dog has some anxiety issues and we had a major change in our schedule last week. I can't help wonder if that's what started the chewing. She is going to the vet today. I am guessing her tail will have to be docked. I was wondering what you did with your dog to prevent more damage to the tail.
- Re: Update - help on my Jack Russell Mareli
8 y
14,975
- Re: Update Megabite
15 y
41,802
- Re: My dog *ATE* her tail! Please h... awakened
15 y
41,833
This is a reply to # 1,409,339Sorry about your dog...it is the result fo to much energy. Labs come in two types one tha lay around and ones that have energy..all the chewing is a result of to much energy...I have a lab and walk him twice a day!!!for a total of almost an hour. I had problems til I started...It either walk him...or put up with goofy stuff like this. I know everybody is busy but if he is important you need to make time for him. maybe split it up amongst people. train him on a treadmill...If he is tired he won't miss you at all during the day. He will sleep all day and wake up 1hr b4 you get home.
- Re: My dog *ATE* her tail! Please h... RowanMorrison
15 y
41,801
This is a reply to # 1,410,184I agree re: energy level.
I have a pit bull, Suzy, who was VERY destructive when I first rescued her from the street. She destroyed or at least damaged in some way almost every piece of furniture in the house - even the bed mattresses.
I had other dogs when Suzy first moved in, but they were much older than Suzy, who was just a six month old pup.
When Suzy was about two years old, I rescued a young Rottie, Vader, about her same age but a little younger. Those two play together now into exhaustion. I have no problems with any chewing or destructive behavior. I am sure they sleep all day when I'm gone (or maybe play together, but I doubt it since they play together so much when I'm home).
I still walk all my dogs once a day for a long walk and swim, but it has made SUCH a difference now that Suzy and Vader can wear each other out, they're just like little kids who have so much energy while their exhausted parents just sit and watch.
- Re: My dog *ATE* her tail! Please h... RowanMorrison
15 y
41,801
- Re: My dog *ATE* her tail! Please h... Jenjensme5
7 y
5,349
This is a reply to # 1,409,339Did you find out why this happened or find out how to “fix” this issue? I have a 6month Herman Shepard, she is not destructive but chewed her own tail off. It’s been over a month of this with all kinds of mess and efforts with no avail.
- Re: My dog *ATE* her tail! Please h... Raynbo
15 y
42,424
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