How to Bind a Dog's Tail: 14 Steps

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How to Bind a Dog's Tail: 14 Steps
How to Bind a Dog's Tail: 14 Steps
Anonim

Sometimes dogs can suffer from what is called in the Anglo-Saxon world "happy tail", although in reality there is nothing happy at all. Some dogs, especially those belonging to the larger or short-haired breeds, can get injured by wagging their tails. The wound occurs when the animal hits its tail against a hard surface or when it shakes it with such force as to break it. Follow the steps in this article to help your little dog heal and protect him after such an accident.

Steps

Part 1 of 2: Wrapping the Tail

Wrap a Dog's Tail Step 1
Wrap a Dog's Tail Step 1

Step 1. Evaluate the condition of the queue

Before wrapping her, take a look to make sure she actually needs a bandage. In the event of a happy tail fracture, you will notice that the tail is leaking blood and you will need to locate where it was injured.

  • Try contacting the vet. He will be able to bandage her and check for any other injuries.
  • If you can't get in touch with your vet, you may need to bandage yourself.
  • By wrapping their tail, you can speed up healing and prevent further injury.
448410 2
448410 2

Step 2. Learn the general rules for wrapping the tail

You will need to divide this into three main steps: apply the ointment and gauze, wrap the cotton wool to create a pad, and pass the tape patch to stop the bandage.

  • The ointment must go in direct contact with the injured area. Clean the area first and then be sure to cover the wound with the ointment.
  • Gauze and cotton wool should also cover the wound. Thanks to these layers, the tail will have the protection it needs and you can be sure that the ointment will stay where you applied it.
  • The tape patch is applied in two ways. First pass it vertically, along the tail and over the gauze and wadding. Then create loops around the previous patch strips, starting from the tip to the base of the tail.
Wrap a Dog's Tail Step 3
Wrap a Dog's Tail Step 3

Step 3. Collect the supplies

You will need some basic tools to properly tie the tail. Get them all before you start, so you won't waste time applying the bandage and limit any discomfort for your dog.

  • Medical adhesive tape, approximately 3 cm wide;
  • Antibiotic ointment (lidocaine);
  • Wadding. You will have less difficulty wrapping it if the pieces are large;
  • Non-stick gauze strips.
Wrap a Dog's Tail Step 4
Wrap a Dog's Tail Step 4

Step 4. Cut the masking tape into small pieces

It is best to cut it first in order to be able to rescue the dog quickly. Depending on the size of the wound, you may need more or less tape to wrap around the tail. However, try to cut a dozen strips of the following measurements:

  • Two long pieces (20cm);
  • Six short pieces (10cm);
  • Two pieces cut in half (10cm long by 1.5cm wide).
Wrap a Dog's Tail Step 5
Wrap a Dog's Tail Step 5

Step 5. Apply the ointment

Helps prevent infections and promotes healing. You will have to go back to applying it every time you change the bandage.

  • Put the ointment on the wound. Make sure you use enough to cover the injured area.
  • Also, you should add some ointment to the gauze to make sure it is in contact with the wound.
Wrap a Dog's Tail Step 6
Wrap a Dog's Tail Step 6

Step 6. Cut a piece of gauze and apply it

Take the gauze and cut a piece large enough to cover the entire wound. Wrap it gently around the wound and secure it with a few small pieces of duct tape.

  • Do not wrap the tape too tightly.
  • Try twisting it along the spiral-shaped tail.
  • Also try wrapping it around the tail, at each end of the bandage.
  • Make sure the gauze covers the wound completely.
Wrap a Dog's Tail Step 7
Wrap a Dog's Tail Step 7

Step 7. Add the wadding

Take the cotton wool and place it around the injured area of the tail. Make sure it is sufficient to cover the entire area and that it forms a padding capable of preventing further injury.

  • If you have a large piece of batting, try wrapping it around the tail, just like you would a blindfold.
  • Wrap the cotton around the tail where it is injured. It must completely cover the gauze and provide the injured area with padding.
  • Gently press the cotton wool so that it takes the shape of the tail. Be careful not to squeeze it too hard, otherwise you risk damaging the tail further.
Wrap a Dog's Tail Step 8
Wrap a Dog's Tail Step 8

Step 8. Finish wrapping the tail with duct tape

After arranging the gauze and wadding, start again with the duct tape. What you are going to add at this point will form the outside of the bandage and allow the gauze to stay firmly in place. The other pieces will be applied vertically, along the dog's tail.

  • Place the 20 cm long piece vertically, following the length of the tail, over the wadding. It will have to start and end on the hair of the tail.
  • Place the 10cm piece slightly sideways to the 20cm piece. It should start and end on the same points as before, however it will be a little more tilted to the right and will only slightly cover the first piece.
  • Add the other 10cm piece in the same way. This time it will be tilted to the left.
  • There should be three pieces of tape left at this point. Use them to cover the wound, applying them lengthwise along the dog's tail. They should start and end on the hair, just after the ends of the gauze.
Wrap a Dog's Tail Step 9
Wrap a Dog's Tail Step 9

Step 9. Add more ribbon

Once you have fixed the bandage on the tail, you will need to make it even more stable and strengthen the protection. Therefore, wrap the leftover pieces of ribbon in the shape of a ring, a bit like making a mummy. Add the last few pieces as follows:

  • Place one around the top three and the dog's tail. Start at the tip and work your way to the base.
  • Add another piece just below the previous one. It should go around the tail and cover the previously applied bandage and tape.
  • Keep adding the tape like this until you have covered all of the bandage.
  • Overlap the last piece of duct tape over the bandage, attaching it to the tail hair.
Wrap a Dog's Tail Step 10
Wrap a Dog's Tail Step 10

Step 10. Finish the wrapping

Once you have covered the bandage with medical tape, you are almost done. The last few steps will allow you to permanently attach the bandage to the tail and keep it in place.

  • Pull out a few clumps of hair from under the last round of duct tape.
  • Flatten them against the surface of the bandage.
  • Wrap a final piece of ribbon around these tufts and the tail.

Part 2 of 2: Promote Healing and Keep the Tail Protected

Wrap a Dog's Tail Step 11
Wrap a Dog's Tail Step 11

Step 1. Take your dog to the vet

After applying the first bandage, it is advisable to go to the vet as soon as possible. Ask him to check the severity of the injury and what is the best way to treat it.

  • It is likely that the tail has fractured and that more specific care is needed.
  • Your vet may prescribe a certain ointment or suggest some alternative techniques to follow.
  • The dog may need a few stitches if the bleeding doesn't stop.
Wrap a Dog's Tail Step 12
Wrap a Dog's Tail Step 12

Step 2. Change the bandage if needed

You will need to replace it when it gets dirty, wet, falls or is destroyed by the dog. Apply a new one as you did before so that the wound heals, is protected, does not suffer any infections, and does not get further aggravated.

  • Do not leave the bandage on for more than a day.
  • If it gets wet, infections can occur.
  • Most tail problems heal within two weeks.
  • Take your dog to the vet if the wound doesn't seem to heal.
Wrap a Dog's Tail Step 13
Wrap a Dog's Tail Step 13

Step 3. Stay calm

The so-called "happy tail" syndrome occurs when the dog wags its tail so hard that it bruises and bleeds or when its tail hits a hard surface. If you can keep the animal's level of agitation low, the danger of it continuing to hurt its tail also decreases.

  • If he gets too excited when you get home, ignore him until you get to a larger room where he can wag his tail without the risk of bumping into a hard surface.
  • If he is thrilled to go for a walk, prepare him to go out to a larger room, where he can have more space and avoid queuing accidents.
  • Try to move calmly in the presence of the dog. This way he will tend not to fidget.
  • Try telling him to "sit". As you sit down, the force with which you wag your tail will decrease.
Wrap a Dog's Tail Step 14
Wrap a Dog's Tail Step 14

Step 4. Remove the bandage

If the tail is to remain bandaged for more than a day, you will need to remove and change the bandage. If you leave it, the risk of infections could increase and prevent the tail from healing as well as it should. Therefore, remove the old bandage according to the following methods:

  • As for the bandaged areas where duct tape is attached to the hair, try moistening them with olive oil or another plant-based oil for a few minutes. The grease will help dissolve the adhesives and allow you to remove the tape more easily.
  • If the wound has healed, you can also try using a shampoo to remove the adhesive and bandage so that it doesn't hurt.
  • As for the small tufts of hair stuck in the bandage, you can simply cut them off with a pair of scissors. Be careful when cutting the bandage, as you may accidentally injure the tail. If you are unsure, take your dog to a grooming shop.
  • By tearing the bandage, you risk pulling the hair and hurting the dog. Avoid this method, otherwise he may begin to fear the bandages.
  • Do not use harsh chemicals, such as nail polish remover or alcohol, as they can be harmful to the dog.

Advice

  • Don't over-tighten the bandage. Let the duct tape do its job.
  • If your dog is injured multiple times to the tail, consult your veterinarian. Maybe it's time to amputate it.
  • You can use a clean cloth to stop the bleeding before applying the bandage.

Warnings

  • Do not over tighten the bandage, otherwise the tail may necrosis and you will have to have it amputated.
  • Make sure the bandage doesn't get wet. Infections could arise.

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