My newborn puppy's docked tail skin is exposed. What should I do?

Oh poor pup! She definitely needs to see a vet, but here's what you can do in the meantime. 1) Rinse the tail with warm water (no soap or antiseptics) for five minutes. 2) Apply some antibacterial cream (like neosporin) to the wound and try to tape a bandage over the area. If you are able to keep the bandage on, then repeat the above daily. If you cannot keep the bandage on, then rinse the area three times a day if possible. Don't be surprised if a lot of that brown scab stuff comes out with the rinsing and bandage. It's actually good to remove that stuff gently. Just avoid scrubbing or picking at the scabs. I hope that helps and Cali gets better soon.

I want to thank you very much for providing us such good pictures. Judging by them, I believe your dog either has an infection, immune allergic disease, a cyst-like growth, etc Unfortunately, any topical medication such as the one you’re applying will not be effective against any of these diseases. You do need to schedule an appointment with your regular veterinarian as soon as possible to have a thorough physical examination performed. The vet may also want to do x-rays, a biopsy, skin culture, etc. to the affected area. Most likely, you will get treatment in the form of injectable or oral medications as well as topicals. You will also probably be given a coon to keep your dog from traumatizing and licking the area. Thank you very much for using our consultation service. I hope I have provided you some help today.

This does not look correct and in my opinion this needs to be re-operated on, i.e. the skin around the bone needs to be mobilised, freshened and stretched and sutured over the bone, or, if the bone protrudes too much, that last tail vertebra needs to be removed and the skin and tissue freshened up and sutured. This may heal by second intention ( by putting ointment on it ), but there is also a chance that it will not and that the bone will stay exposed, or that infection sets in.

That looks pretty irritated/infected. I would bring the puppy back to the vet that performed the procedure to have it reclosed and medication given as needed. Keeping the mom from licking the tails and disturbing sutures with the use of an Elizabethan (cone) collar or other means is best to prevent infection and opening of the suture sites.

It depends on how long the blood supply was cut off. Keep an eye on it, if a sore develops where the band was keep it clean and use a thin film of antibacterial ointment on it. If you decide to have the tail docked please take her to your veterinarian to have it surgically removed under anesthesia. If she starts not feeling well she could have a fever from an infection so that is another reason to take her in for an exam. Have fun with your new pup. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you get answers to your veterinary questions.

Poor girl. Infected areas on the skin that are draining puss almost always need oral antibiotics to successfully treat them. I am so sorry that you live so far from a vet but you need to find a way to get to that vet soon, despite the long travels. Until you can get her there try to get your hands on some Betadine and dilute it 50:50 with warm water to help slow down the progression of the infection. However to completely clear things up you will unfortunately need to get your vet involved. You can continue the wraps as needed, but the heat compressions aren't really necessary.

I am unaware of the previous conversation. I am assuming one of Maia's puppies have a tail docked and you are unsure what to do. Typically tail docking is done with in 2-4 days of birth. At this age typically pain medication is not dispensed. I would recommend just allowing the puppy to stay with mom because she can calm and take care of the puppy the best. If the puppy is not able to be with warm I would recommend keeping it in a warm comfortable area. If the puppy is not acting right vomiting, lethargic, diarrhea this is typically not from the tail dock but still needs to be addressed by a vet. Hope that helps!