Page 1 of 5
Devon (now Alfie) - Removal of tail
Posted: 24 Feb 2010, 19:53
by Bev Rowley
Just been back to the vets with Alfie, and unfortuntely after 4 weeks of visits and antibiotics the vet thinks that the best course of action is to have part of his tail removed.
He is booked in tomorrow morning and they are going to castrate him at the same time.
Feel so sad for him at the moment, but the vet assures me that this is what is best for Alfie and by doing both things at the same time it will save him having to have two lots of anaesthetic (sorry can't think how to spell it).
Has anyone else been through a similar experience?
Just going to sit and give him a big cuddle now
Bev and Alfie xxxx
Re: Devon (now Alfie) - Removal of tail
Posted: 24 Feb 2010, 19:57
by Lins
Sorry to hear this news. I have no experience of this (thanks goodness) I just wanted to send Alfie and you some flowers and tell you that I will be thinking of you.
Good luck for tomorrow morning.
Re: Devon (now Alfie) - Removal of tail
Posted: 24 Feb 2010, 19:59
by tosca100
I'm sure it sounds worse than it is! Alfie will still be able to use his tail in the same way, being shorter will make no difference.
Just think...those mugs of coffee on the coffee table will be safer!
Thinking of you both.
Sara
Re: Devon (now Alfie) - Removal of tail
Posted: 24 Feb 2010, 20:07
by Ann Mee
O'h dear, poor Alfie you have done your best though and the vet only has his best interests at heart. Good luck tomorrow both of you. My mum's dog has been spayed today, had a tooth out and her ears jet washed. I think she's feeling a bit sorry for herself tonight too.
Thinking of you both
Ann x

Re: Devon (now Alfie) - Removal of tail
Posted: 24 Feb 2010, 20:41
by Seamusmum
Awh, sorry to hear about Alfie Bev.
Sending hugs and positive thoughts over the Westwood to you and will be thinking of you both tomorrow

Re: Devon (now Alfie) - Removal of tail
Posted: 24 Feb 2010, 21:21
by carolb
Oh Bev I am so sorry to hear that Alfie is going to have to have part of his tail removed. Please be assured though, I know of 2 labs that have had this op and both were completely fine afterwards. One of my neighbours had to have her dogs tail shortened due to a similar injury to Alfie and I have a friend who accidently shut a car door

on her Labs tail. This was quite a mess and she had to lose the end of her tail but was right as rain in no time. Will be thinking about you both tomorrow though.

Re: Devon (now Alfie) - Removal of tail
Posted: 24 Feb 2010, 21:22
by triomum
Hi Bev
Don't worry - it sounds worse than it is!
Dylan had his front right leg taken of at the elbow and we were mortified at the thought. We picked him up from the vets the day after his op and he was bouncing and raring to go. He didn;t have a dressing on and didn't need antibiotics. They don't think like humans and think "I've lost my leg" = they just get on with it.
Give him a hug from Dylan.
Julie
Re: Devon (now Alfie) - Removal of tail
Posted: 24 Feb 2010, 21:30
by Glenys
I know he will be ok sadly he will keep opening it up if he doesnt and he is such a waggy dog make sure they dont just take the tip off else it could happen agin.
Will be thinking of you tomorrow xx
Re: Devon (now Alfie) - Removal of tail
Posted: 24 Feb 2010, 21:53
by janhind
Sorry to hear the treatment isnt working for Alfie, my paddy had split tail but fortunately after six to eight weeks we did manage to get it healed, Alfie will probably loose most of his tail as the vets do a similar operation to docking, this is so that they dont have enough tail to hit off anything again. i'm sure he'll be fine as julie says they dont dwell on things as we humans do, he probably wont even miss it.
Hugs to you & alfie
jan xx
Re: Devon (now Alfie) - Removal of tail
Posted: 24 Feb 2010, 23:12
by JoanG
So sorry to hear that Alfie has to have part of his tail off, I'm sure he will get over both the procedures quickly, it will be you who will be worried to death. My friend's Wheaten Terrier had to have part of his tail off as he had damaged it and he got over it very quickly, you wouldn't have thought he'd been in for an operation except for a shaved tail
Healing thoughts coming to both you and Alfie for tomorrow.
Joan x
Re: Devon (now Alfie) - Removal of tail
Posted: 25 Feb 2010, 00:01
by jackiem
Healing thoughts to you and Alfie for tomorrow. He'll be fine in no time, try not to worry.
Re: Devon (now Alfie) - Removal of tail
Posted: 25 Feb 2010, 08:42
by Ablineth
Sorry to hear of this and poor soul is going to feel so sorry for himself for a few days.
The army dog that has just received the medal had the same operation so Alfie is in good company.
Give him a cuddle from us.
Grayse, Mij and their mum
Re: Devon (now Alfie) - Removal of tail
Posted: 25 Feb 2010, 09:41
by warrengl
I'm so sorry to hear about Alfie's tail troubles but I'm sure he will be absolutely fine!
Did you see Treo on the news yesterday? He'd had his tail removed and he was absolutely fine! Tell Alfie he'll have something in common with this gorgeous hero and will also deserve a medal for bravery!
Coco sends him a big kiss!

Re: Devon (now Alfie) - Removal of tail
Posted: 25 Feb 2010, 09:45
by Emma T
Thinking of your lovely boy today, what a worry it will be for you but I am sure he will be fine. Cuddles to him from here x
Re: Devon (now Alfie) - Removal of tail
Posted: 25 Feb 2010, 09:48
by Mad Maisie
I know how you must be feeling but try not to worry.
Maisie has only half a tail we don't know the circumstances of her having it removed as this happened before we adopted her but she is fine and we affectionally call her Stumpy
She can wag it like the rest of them but like Sara said all the glasses are safe on low tables!!!
Also a friend's dog had to have her tail removed due to infection and she is also fine.
Don't worry
Gill, Meg and Maisie