Caudectomy A Surgery For Tail Removal (Partial Or Complete)

Do you know screw-tail, ingrown tail, and corkscrew tail are some of the most common issues among several dogs? And which dog breeds are highly prone to this issue? Let us reveal without any delay. 

For instance, the dog breeds include English bulldogs, French bulldogs, Boston terriers, and pugs. However, this problem occurs due to the anatomical malformation that creates tail curling. 

Unfortunately, the dogs will have chronic skin fold inflammation, and it's not just the tail curling. The major drawback of this disease is that the treatment does provide satisfactory results. Thus, the dogs must undergo partial or complete caudectomy surgery as it is the only treatment for this disease.

Now we’ll dig a little deep. The caudectomy cat surgery procedure includes the removal of the dog's tail. And for some dog breeds, caudectomy is crucial. But, more than that, this surgery becomes necessary for some dogs due to cosmetic reasons. Not only this but it is also known as tail docking. The procedure of tail docking is common among puppies when they are just a few days only, and it is a simple surgical procedure.

In contrast, the medical caudectomy cat is a complicated procedure. Therefore, this procedure is only performed with a skilled surgeon. Primarily, the ACVS board-certified veterinary surgeon performs the duty of tail removal surgery procedure. In addition, removing the tail involves severe injuries, including the ailing of the dog's tail. Many countries prefer to do medical caudectomy as standard tail docking is banned.

The procedure of Caudectomy Surgery 

If the caudectomy procedure includes corkscrew tail surgery, it is done between three to five days after the puppy's birth. Moreover, anesthesia will be given to the puppy before the removal of a certain area. It makes the procedure less complicated and quick. 

If the dog is older than before performing a medical caudectomy, the dog will be given general anesthesia. Due to this surgical procedure, the blood flow should run continuously in the body. In addition, radiographs become necessary for confirming the location and number if there are tumors.

Before starting the surgery, the area of the dog's tail should be shaved. Next, the incision is made at the tail's base or at the vertebrae of the infected area. The bones should not come in the way and a better view is possible with a scalpel's help. Some clinics recommend electrosurgery for performing caudectomy surgery. Plus, it is crucial to remove the open end of the dog's tail so the suture can easily shut easily after the removal.

Procedures' Efficacy

Indeed, it is crucial to remove the tail to get a permanent solution in anatomical surgeries for curing many issues. It is considered highly safe for animals and reduces the risks of several injuries. However, in many cases, a constricting band is held to remove the surgery's tail sections. 

Plus, it requires more time, and caudectomy surgery involves a high risk of infection. For the case of cosmetic purposes, the entire procedure depends on the choice of the dog's owner as it will not provide any health benefit to that animal. 

Commonly, certain hunting and working dogs, including the German shorthaired pointers, get tail docking to reduce the risk of injuries and chances of trauma to their tail while the dog is on hunt duty. 

Another benefit of tail removal surgery includes the feasibility of cleaning the tail and preventing a soiled tail. Nonetheless, very few shreds of evidence support tail-docking or caudectomy.

Recovery

The corkscrew tail surgery does not require any post-operative care. If the dog is old, it requires monitoring as the anesthesia will last long. It is crucial to check if the organs are functioning properly. The Elizabethan collar is also necessary to stop the dog from licking and biting his tail.

The incision area should be supervised for monitoring the infection signs. It should be kept clean, and the bandages should be changed regularly. 

What else? A follow-up appointment is necessary for at least two weeks after the surgical procedure to ensure all the stitches are removed. After removing the tumor, it will be taken for diagnostic testing. The treatment of the regime is started once the results arrive.

Caudectomy Cost

The all-inclusive price of the caudectomy surgery is $900.00 for patients who are under 22 pounds. Besides, patients over 22 pounds will have a surgery cost of $1800, including bulldogs. 

On the other side, the tail docking procedure is not expensive, and it starts from $10 to $20 for each puppy. Therefore, this procedure is not pricey, but the first check-up of the dog will add up to at least $100. Similarly, if the dog is old, the whole procedural cost also increases. 

Essential Considerations

If the surgical procedure includes some medical reasons, there are high chances of applying general anesthesia. For instance, some dogs will have nerve damage after general anesthesia. For instance, it leads to lower functioning in the rectum, resulting in defecating. 

Also, the incision can be inflamed and delay the process of healing. Other than that, in some cases, the dog starts to chase the tail excessively after the caudectomy procedure. The tail can be infected too. Best of all, there are many cases where the caudectomy surgery practice does not involve any complications.

Prevention of Caudectomy

Excessive skin folds and tumors occur genetically. So, checking the dog's family history is crucial to ensure no diseases transfer. 

Besides, when buying a new puppy, do not forget to go for your first medical test. On the other side, environmental factors are crucial to determining as they can enhance the chances of cancer development. 

For this reason, you need to reduce the dog's exposure to the carcinogens like car exhaust or smoke. 

Likewise, as a humane gesture, the tail should not be removed among dogs who do not have any cosmetic reasons. In several cases, the surgeons are not going for the dock tailing merely due to the cosmetic drives.