Expert: English Bulldogs ( Marie ) e-mail me at mpmaltese@gmail.com - 9/4/2008

Question
We have a 2 year old male bully with an extremely tight tail. I didn't realize how tight it was until about 3 months ago when an odor started to appear. I tried to clean it out but can barely get my finger in there to do it. I had my daughter take him to the vet because of my work schedule so I was not there to ask all the questions. The vet suggested amputating the tail. I will need to contact them more on the subject but I was wondering, besides the wipes they gave my daughter, is there anything else that can be done? Should I flush it out with any thing first before the wipes. I used one of the wipes last night and there was so much seeping and it seemed extremely painful for him. He seemed very sore after going to the vet yesterday and then I cleaned it again and he scooted away from me in pain.

Is a tail amputation bad for a bull dog? I just don't want him in pain everyday for the rest of his life. He is still young yet.

Answer
Hi Shannon- This can be a common problem with bullies...Sorry!  I hope the vet sent you home on an antibiotic...if not, call and ask for one.  Let's clear up this infection.  Yes, we can try to deal with this without surgery.  Here are my suggestions -
All are natural and safe.
The surgery is safe but sometimes it leaves a dog with Anal Sac and rectal injuries.  ( causing loose stools for a lifetime)
Get another opinion before you do any removal of this tail.

All English Bulldogs have part of their tail still inside the body as an extension
of the tail bone.  Some have straight tails and some have screw tails.  An
inverted tail is a condition where part of a screw tail makes a loop inside
the body and then comes out.

Screw Tail:
This inverted tail is very tight and close to the body with a very tight tail pocket and part of the tail constantly rubbing and festering in the pocket.  This is not a fault of breeding, it just happens sometimes.

Sometimes constant maintenance of the tail pocket will keep your bulldog healthy.  You need to clean out the tail pocket daily using warm water and a washcloth in a circular motion and get deep into the pocket. Then the area must be thoroughly dried and perhaps add some Gold Bond powder.  You may need to use a syringe to get into the area with some fluids - If he will let you blow dry the area us a hair dryer - do a blow by- Back and forth motion with the hair dryer.
Don't burn him...**** It will be easy to do this once the Antibiotics kick in and the supplements!


1.  Please put this boy on NuVET Plus - give two per day - Many Bullies take NuVET each day - This is a skin and coat supplement and Immune System Booster !!!!  His Immune system needs a blast to heal-
Here is my link -
Order at least a 180 count bottle - This will give you 3 months of coverage - Wafer Treats - Guaranteed to help or your money back.
http://www.aplupsetcare.com/untitled4.html

2.
I am sure he has an overgrowth of yeast bacteria - very common - this will help his gut and all the yeast on the skin-
All my clients take the following Nature's Sunshine Products - They will get them out to you ASAP if you order today:

Silver Shield - natural antibiotic ( Good for all the Humans in the family, too)
Give her 2 tablespoons per day of this Silver -

http://www.mynsp.com/nuvetpetnurse/products/guide.aspx?stockNum=4274

3.  A must for every pet in the house - Probiotic therapy-

PROBIOTIC ELEVEN (90)-  Good for all the family - humans, too!
Give 2 per day for 1 week, then 1 per day ( always)

http://www.mynsp.com/nuvetpetnurse/products/guide.aspx?stockNum=1510


I sure hope my suggestions help your kid - WE MAY be able to avoid surgery with good cleaning and healing.
YOU will need to keep your AB dog on NuVET Plus and the Probiotic for a long time - otherwise the infections may come  back.

If you do have the tail removed - MAKE SURE you go to a vet that does this often - Too many vets can mess this up.  Shop around for a vet that knows how to do this Well.

Best Wishes, Keep in contact with me - Let me know in a month how she is doing on my suggestions...
mtnmom@gci.net




My suggestions are for cleaning and supplements -
Give it 30 days or more - you should see a big difference!
I can't wait to hear from you!

Marie Peppers LPN MA
Ask a VET / Pet Nurse
mtnmom@gci.net