Biting nub

Batqween · 02-22-2008, 05:37 PM

So K-horses' nub never seemed to heal right after docking. When I got him at 4.5 mo it was bald at the tip, figured it'd grow in. Well now it looks worse, the bald patch is now almost the whole end of the tail. He chews on it and pulls out the hairs. It doesn't look red, flaky or oozy, but now with all the fur pulling, it seems red.

I've been treating it with aloe vera and ordered some homeopathic healing cream and allergy reliever. I think he suffers from allergies based on his abundant eye goobers that have lessened with homeopathic drops after the costly vet drops treated a resultant eye infection.

My question is has anyone encountered this and what did you use to treat it. I can't afford to go back to the vet and have allergy tests run or shots given, plus I don't relieve believe in taking medication for that per se. I've had a puppy with demodex mange on the tail that looked like a bald patch, but there wasn't the fur pulling. I read it could be mites or fleas, though no other patch of skin is affected. And he neither smells funny nor seems to have other infections, hot spots, or licking tendencies. My next step is to change his food. He eats Iams and maybe it's the corn.

**greenkouki** · 02-22-2008, 05:59 PM

If it doesnt look tender, red, or flaky you could try spraying some bitter apple spray on it. It sounds like it's just an outlet for his boredom, like flank sucking etc.

Leroythedobe · 02-22-2008, 05:59 PM

leorys looked the same way when i got him. There was no hair on the nub..but now its grown in some and you dont notice unless you looking.

prophecy · 02-22-2008, 06:51 PM

it could be flanksucking,or an uncomfortable dock. my dobe Kane chewed his stub for the longest time to blood.he was an ''illegal dock with a gumband'' case. and the vet said it probably hurts. not to say yours was a bad dock,but just think if your finger was amputated,and a nerve was nicked wrong. amputees get ''phantom limb pain'',wich could be that with a dock. also,it could be attention seeking, bordom,or anxeity coming out.we used witch hazel and aloe vera topically for a week and he stopped it and has healed up.also could it be dry skin??? it is a posibility due to the constant licking/chewing. if it wasn't it before, it can be occuring now. kinda like licking chapped lips,it makes it worse. if he does have allergies,could it be a contact allergy?? see what he is up against before he gnaws,or is there any other patterns....ie..... (this) happens and he chews right after,kinda thing.that may point you in the right way. i wouldnt allow him to chew it though. distract him with a toy or command.hope this helps you, and good luck!

Murreydobe · 02-22-2008, 06:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Batqween

So K-horses' nub never seemed to heal right after docking. When I got him at 4.5 mo it was bald at the tip, figured it'd grow in. Well now it looks worse, the bald patch is now almost the whole end of the tail. He chews on it and pulls out the hairs. It doesn't look red, flaky or oozy, but now with all the fur pulling, it seems red.

I've been treating it with aloe vera and ordered some homeopathic healing cream and allergy reliever. I think he suffers from allergies based on his abundant eye goobers that have lessened with homeopathic drops after the costly vet drops treated a resultant eye infection.

My question is has anyone encountered this and what did you use to treat it. I can't afford to go back to the vet and have allergy tests run or shots given, plus I don't relieve believe in taking medication for that per se. I've had a puppy with demodex mange on the tail that looked like a bald patch, but there wasn't the fur pulling. I read it could be mites or fleas, though no other patch of skin is affected. And he neither smells funny nor seems to have other infections, hot spots, or licking tendencies. My next step is to change his food. He eats Iams and maybe it's the corn.

There could be some bone splinters from a bad dock irritating his tail. If it were me, I'd take him to the vet and have it checked out. This happens now and then, and can be corrected surgically. It seems more likely than an allergy that only manifested itself on his tail.