Friday, March 4, 2011

The Tail Saga Does Continue:(

Well, the decision about persevering with trying to get Beryl's tail healed was taken out of my hands today!  As I write she is convalescing at the vets having had 2/3 of it removed:(  She was fine this morning when I let her out of her crate.  She still didn't want to try going to the toilet with it strapped to her leg though:)  So she did her usual, went onto my bed for her next nap.  I heard her licking and after a while thought I'd better go check and she was lying in a pool of blood.  Well, slight exaggeration, but her tail sure was in a pool of blood!!  She'd licked the bandage off, which was soaked with blood and it had been fine and still strapped to her leg earlier.  Thankfully she stayed put while I rang the vets and said I was bringing her back.  So off we toddle again with a couple of towels under her tail.  The vet I saw this morning said she didn't like the chances of it healing and not happening again but fitted a plastic protector thingy around the tail tip and bandaged it up again and the vet nurse wrapped a plastic bag over it as it was seeping slowly through the protection and bandage.  Jo, the lovely vet nurse, also cleaned the blood from Beryl's snout and legs which we both appreciated:)

We called in to the GAP kennels on the way home and I took Beryl in for some cuddles and sympathy.  After a while it became obvious the wound wasn't going to stop bleeding as there was quite a bit of blood accumulating in the bag.  So back to the vets we went and I signed the form giving permission to dock the tail and get her teeth cleaned at the same time.  Beryl was stressed and I was stressed and at least I know I tried everything possible but there's no point banging your head against a wall forever.  I know it's only cosmetic but her tail seemed to have a personality of it's own and she'd kind of perfected the art of flicking the white third in time with the beat of her trot and it looked so darn cute:) But she's still my lovely Beryl, it wouldn't matter if she'd had to have a leg chopped off, nothing will make me love her less!  And knowing Beryl, she'll develop another quirk to compensate for the lack of 2/3 of her tail:)  The vets even rang me to tell me they'd taken that much off so I wouldn't be too shocked when I pick her up at 9am when they open tomorrow:)  She's going to look cute .... isn't she??  Of course she will:)

Here are a few last photos of Beryl's tail in action:)
As a brake
For balance
Trotting tip flick - looks best in video!
The exclamation mark:)
The smile:)
Next photos of Beryl she is going to look something like this -
*Sigh*, it's a bit scary, huh?
I just couldn't take any photos of all the blood and bandaged tail over the past couple of days.  It's all too vivid in my memory as it is!  Anyway, I can't wait to see my girl tomorrow. Frankie and I are both missing her like crazy tonight .... and all she'd be doing is sleeping somewhere:)  But she'd come and nudge me or just stand by me while I'm at the computer wanting a bit of a cuddle.

Hopefully the saga of Beryl's happy tail is now over:)

11 comments:

jet said...

Poor girl, but she will probably be happy to be free of it while it was hurt and bleeding... :P she will learn to compensate in terms of balance etc.

Summer said...

Oh no! I'm so so sorry to hear this. =( My people are obsessed with tails and they seem to understand your frustration. From the looks of it you did everything you could. Sending lots of healing licks to Beryl. Hopefully she'll be up and running again soon.

Summer

Hiking Hounds said...

Oh poor girl! I'm so sorry. I love the tails too. But, she will still be a happy beautiful girl running fast as she can.

houndstooth said...

I wasn't expecting this turn of events! I'm so sorry! I know it's only cosmetic, too. If your vet is really good, then it will still look cute. I've seen some adorable docked tails! We're sending lots of good thoughts for you and Beryl.

hornblower said...

I'm here from the 2 little cavaliers :-) When people comment & I reply to their comments, I do so on my blog & then I go to their blog & comment on their latest post saying that I've replied.

Hope Beryl is home safe & sound soon!

Unknown said...

Oh Beryl! I'm so sorry to hear about your tail!! But I'm sure it won't spoil your looks in the least! Those are gorgeous pictures - just LOVE seeing Greyhounds in action!

Thank you for all the lovely comments you've been leaving on my blog - sorry it's taken me so long to return your visits but as you saw, things have been a bit chaotic at home with the arrival of little Muesli! :-)

Slobbers,
Honey the Great Dane

2 dogs + 1 cat + 2 humans said...

HUGE HUGS from all of us, and speedy healing vibes too.

Aragon greyhounds said...

Oh I am so sorry to read what happened. Over the years almost all of my greyhounds have had tail injuries-from repeat broken tails to happy tail waggers that live in bandages.
Heres for a speedy recovery.

Amber-Mae said...

Hi Frankie & Beryl, nice to meet you both! I found you in Bunny's blog. Oh dear! So sorry to hear about your tail, Beryl. I hope you'll have a speedy recovery.

Anonymous said...

I'm behind on my reading, so I'll know the outcome before I read about the initial problem. Omo has happy tail. There's been no real drama, but I worry sometimes. However, you'll find personality in the nubbin. You'll find nubbin lubbin.
Most of all I am glad that she is on the mend.

House of Carnivores said...

Oh, poor Beryl! If it makes you feel any better, we recently had to had the tail of one of the "adoptable" greyhounds docked - she had "happy tail" and after an initial injury, had the same problem with bleeding and healing issues as Beryl.

She never seemed to notice the difference, even in the beginning, and was her normal, happy self in no time.

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