Farfie has a bum tail!

[Wienergal]

My poor boy has a calcified disk in his tail! http://dachsie.org/ubb/smilies/frown.gif He hurt it when he was attacked by a miniature schnauzer http://dachsie.org/ubb/smilies/sick.gif. I was terrified--thought it was his spine, because it was clear that he was in some discomfort when he tried to squat. And his tail was limp. http://dachsie.org/ubb/smilies/uh-oh.gif A bunch of X-rays revealed the tail problem, and now he's on prednisone for a few days, as we try to avoid surgery.<IMG SRC="http://dachsie.org/ubb/cwmsmilies/cwm14.gif" border=0>

Farfel was unable to finish his championship because, despite his astounding beauty http://dachsie.org/ubb/smilies/blushie.gif, he had what the breeder called the "happy tail flaw"--he carries his tail too gaily, up, like a basset, instead of straight out from the spine, as a dachsie tail is supposed to be. I'm wondering whether the defect has always been there.

At any rate, I'm grateful that, if he is going to have a disk problem, it's a tail disk, not a spine disk. But I'd sure appreciate any advice anyone can give on this issue. He looks so pitiful with his limp tail!! http://dachsie.org/ubb/smilies/kfrown.gif

[~8DachsieAngels~]

Poor Farfie We hope his wittle bum is feeling better soon http://dachsie.org/ubb/smilies/frown.gif Sending LOTS of Dachsie Rayz your way!! <IMG SRC="http://dachsie.org/ubb/cwmsmilies/cwm30.gif" border=0>

Jen

<font color="#00FFFF" font size="1">[This message has been edited by ~8DachsieAngels~ (edited September 13, 2000).]</font>

[Wienergal]

Jen, thanks for the Rayzzzzz! With all of your pack sending rays, Farfie should be better in no time!! http://dachsie.org/ubb/smilies/biggrin.gif

[Penny's Aunt]

Poor little tail! Penny is sending super dachsie rayzz by satellite, should be there by now!

The most surprising thing about tail injuries is that there isn't more of them. Penny whacks her tail into things all the time. You would think that would hurt! Some breeds like Labs & Danes, etc hit doorways & walls, etc, so often that they occasionally damage them.

Just tell Farfie to try to curb the enthusiasm for a while until it heals. Wouldn't want to have to have to cut it off! (Creating a Manx Dachsie, a new breed.)

[Krista]

Rays to Farfel from his pals Rudy and Roscoe!! Hope he feels all better soon!!

[Oscar's Mom]

Sorry to hear about the bum tail, hope he's feeling better soon!

[Mark]

Hi Pamela,

All kinds of Dachsie & Catahoula Rayz for poor Farfel! I hope the meds help and surgery can be avoided!

I'm pretty sure that our fur-kids fare better than we do when they are hurt or sick.

Please keep us posted . . .

Mark & kids

[weenie]

Rays to Farfel from me and Willi. Hope he is feeling better soon!

-Kris

[Tanya]

Goodness Pamela. Farfie went from happy tail to limp tail! Josephine and I send lovin' dachsie rayz to heal his poor wittle tail.
Tanya

[bigotis]

Pamela and Farfel,

Poor little tail! Otis and I send healing thoughts your way for a speedy recovery. Let us know how it goes.

Otis's mommy, A.

[Penny's Aunt]

And tell Farfie to keep his tail out of other dog's mouths! I take it he was LEAVING the argument...

[Wienergal]

Actually, he slipped on a slick floor while being attacked by the moronic little squeaker-dog and fell on it. Boy, talk about your freak accidents!

So, PA, what, exactly IS a calcified disk anyway????

[Roxane]

Pamela:
All fingers and toes crossed that _in the end_ Farfel will be mended.
Greta and Baylea will continue to love him http://dachsie.org/ubb/smilies/love.gif regardless!
Roxane

[Shelbie]

Oh dear, poor Farfel only just heard about your tail. Lots and lots of healing rays from London an' big kisses (well you are a boy<IMG SRC="http://dachsie.org/ubb/cwmsmilies/cwm26.gif" border=0> ) from Shelbie the London Trollop

[dutchman]

A good general reference every dachshund owner should know about is the publication "Canine Intervertebral Disk Disease" which can be found at http://www.dachshund-dca.org/diskbook.html

It is rather technical and can be difficult to follow if you haven't done any general medical reading but non the less is a good source of information. I'm sure Farfie wound not agree with the following quote from the paper. "Intervertebral disks are present between the coccygeal vertebra as well, but are of little clinical significance." The coccygeal is the tail.

I am open to correction from one and all but as I understand it a calcified disk is when the normally pliable disk material that cushions and protects the area between each vertebrae becomes hard and brittle. When this happens there is the danger that part of the disk will fracture and fragments can damage critical spinal column tissues.

In any event we hope Farfie will soon be feeling better. Frank is fighting his own much more minor tail problem right now. He has a hot spot that we are having a problem getting cleared up. It's almost time for a trip to the vet. Yes we have tried bitter apple, and bitter end to try and end any bitting (it may be separation anxiety when I gone). I've also been using the AVO spray for hotspots that contains collagen.

Tom, Frank, and Tanner

[Wienergal]

Tom, thank you so much for the info! I'll run right over to that website and read up.

Hope the hot spot gets better soon!

Pamela

[WOTANSMUTTI]

Oh! A Farfinator without a waggie tail! Does he seem to notice??? Is he getting more food, love,food, hugs,food, kisses,etc???

Hope the dachsie meds work soon to return the tail to tip top tail shape...

Strange to imagine him slipping and actually squishing his own end <IMG SRC="http://dachsie.org/ubb/cwmsmilies/cwm14.gif" border=0>

Rayz from the "foggy" Pacific Northwest, and no, it hasn't been foggy and I haven't huffed anything besides frito feet!

[Roxane]

Hi Pamela:
Need an update on Farfel's unusual problem. Poor little guy.
Roxane

[wireweiners]

Hi Farfie, Button here. I hurted my tail too. My mom was putting me in the ex pen and I was wiggling and she dropped me on my tail. <IMG SRC="http://dachsie.org/ubb/cwmsmilies/cwm36.gif" border=0> It hung limp for a while and I couldn't wag it but it got better after a week or so. I can wag like anything now.
Hope you are feeling better.

[Wienergal]

Thanks for all the info and support, you all! Farfel's tail is much better, and we are starting to taper the prednisone. http://dachsie.org/ubb/smilies/bounce.gif It isn't perfect yet, but he can lift it and wag it without wincing.

Sonja, he was definitely not himself, even though he didn't squeal or flinch if you touched his tail. It was clear that something was wrong. His old spirit is returning, now that he's feeling better. http://dachsie.org/ubb/smilies/spotting.gif

Of course, he never once lost his appetite... http://dachsie.org/ubb/smilies/rolleyes.gif

[2DogsLong]

I just called F&O to tell them about Farf's tail. Frankie prescribed lots of treats. Oscar was about to suggest something... but then he forgot what he was talking about. Doh-dee-doh.

Glad to hear he's feeling better. There's nothing more sad than a wagless dog.

[Mark]

Hi Pamela,

I am so-o-o glad Farfel is feeling better! http://dachsie.org/ubb/smilies/circle.gif

I'm sure all those healing rayz helped! http://dachsie.org/ubb/smilies/topsy.gif

Mark http://dachsie.org/ubb/smilies/cool.gif