My dog keeps licking her tail wound. Should I use a cone to heal?

Yes, place an e-collar (cone) on her to prevent chewing or licking. The cone should extend at least 2" from the tip of her nose to be effective. You can remove it at mealtimes, just watch her closely and replace as soon as she is done eating. Keep the area clean and dry as well. You can use a diluted Betadine or chlorhexidine (Hibiclens) solution for daily cleaning. Keep it well padded to prevent trauma if she bangs it against objects when wagging.

Tail wounds are difficult to heal. You are doing a good job but need to place her in a cone to stop the licking and chewing. The wound can’t heal with constant irritation. I also would check her for fleas to make sure that isn’t the reason she started the chewing, and also you may want to have her anal sacs checked since if they are full they can cause itching in this area. Your veterinarian can also prescribe medication to control the itch and inflammation and antibiotics if they feel the area is infected. Be patient and continue with your treatment and this will heal in time. A tail amputation is a serious surgery and she would probably chew the incision and make a sore so you wouldn’t be any better off than you are now. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for Leia.

In this cases, we usually put a tight bandage made of a vet-wrap on the tail, that goes from the tip up to the base of the tail and we change it daily. It is something that is not easy to do and I think you would struggle to do it at home. Please, get in touch with your vet and book a vet or nurse appointment for Gracie.

Poor Panda! Unfortunately the safest and most effective thing in this case is going to be the E-collar. Ask your vet for tips on sizing and securing it to Panda. In some cases, a little anti-anxiety medication or sedation for a day or two can really help him keep that cone on. If it is truly a small graze, it is likely to heal in the next couple days as long as he keeps away from it. I also recommend keeping him inside if at all possible for the next couple days.

Poor Pixie! If the wound is small, she may be able to heal it on her own. Check to make sure there’s no evidence of any gaping or deep tears. Otherwise make sure to keep the area clean and dry. You must make sure she does not lick the area or cause further trauma. An Elizabethan collar worn at all times will prevent licking.Check it every day for redness swelling or discharge as this would indicate infection. Typical wound healing is 10 to 14 days. If something seems abnormal, make sure to have her examined by the veterinarian. I hope this helps and please feel free to post any additional questions.

Tail wounds can be difficult and frustrating to treat. Place an e-collar (cone) on her to prevent any more chewing. Gently clean the tail, applying direct pressure with a clean cloth to stem any bleeding. When she is in the crate, offer a special toy or treat to keep her distracted. Make sure she has enough room to turn around so she isn't whacking her tail against the sides. A pheromone product, such as the Adaptil collar or DAP plug in diffuser, may decrease stress and anxiety if she gets worked up while crated.

Place an e-collar (cone) on her to prevent further licking or chewing. Sometimes, there can be some clipper burn after a grooming which can cause some irritation. The image attach shows what appears to be a small mass or lump. To determine what it is, you will need to have Pepper physically examined by your veterinarian. A fine needle aspirate can be done in the clinic to collect samples for pathology. This may provide a diagnosis. In the meantime, the cone may be enough to allow for healing. Your vet can dispense antibiotics and/or anti-inflammatories if indicated.