Top 5 Tips for a safe holiday with your pets

Happy Tail Syndrome

A Happy Tail is a straight, narrow tail with the tail spine going from the base of the tail. There are several breeds with happy tails: Carolina Dogs (Willa); Pittbulls; Labs; and Great Danes. An injury occurs when a Happy Tail dog repeatedly hits a solid object with force during a wagging session, resulting in the thin skin of the tail splitting open. 

Willa had a habit of swinging her tail at me, leaving bruises on my thighs. I had a client call me in a panic, as his Labrador was hitting his tail so hard on the kitchen cabinets, that his tail split open and it looked like Al Capone shot up the room with blood splatter everywhere. I advised him on how to deal with the injury, as well as what to do in the future, including when he returns home, to immediately go in the big room, instead of the kitchen, so when his dog is wagging his tail to greet him, it won't hit a wall or cabinet.  This method worked well for both of them.

Yes, Happy Tail injuries do bleed quite a bit and can be difficult to treat, as they tend to get easily infected. The problem with treating a happy tail injury is that the dog is still wagging their tail at 100 mph. 

When dealing with a happy tail injury, there's a couple of things you can do:

● dip the tail in a pan of cold water for several minutes.  This technique

    will rinse the wound and help stop the bleeding and reduce

    inflammation. 

● clean the wound by rinsing it off and hold a Steriled 4x4 pad on the tip

    to control the bleeding. There are products that are available to help

    control the bleeding, including quick stop, etc.

     ○ after you have control of the bleeding, clean the wound with water

        or saline, ensuring you get any blood and dirt off the wound. Now

        place several 4x4 Steriled Wound Pads on the tip and begin

        wrapping with 4" Rolled Gauze (several layers, going about 1/3 up

        towards the base of the tail).

     ○ now wrap using vet wrap (coban) using the same method as

        above.

     ○ Take a strip of duct tape and place where it sits half on the wrap &

         half on the tail hairs, as this will prevent the dog from flinging it off

         the tail.

      ○ check the wound in 24 hours and rewrap. Do not rip off the duct

          tape, as they won't be happy with you. Place a wet paper towel

          over the duct tape to loosen up the glue. If you have any signs of

          infection, immediately contact your veterinarian. 

Happy Tail dogs will always be wagging their tails at 100 mph, but we can do a few things to prevent injuries:

● when returning home, go immediately to a big area to greet your dog,

    so the tail isn't slapping any hard objects.

● if your dog injures its tail, immediately clean and wrap, following the

   steps above.

● if your dog continues having happy tail injuries, your vet may want to

   dock the tail. Discuss fully with your vet, on your options, and know

   there are many former happy tail dogs now happily wagging their

   stubs.

My name is Teri Ann, and I offer Human * Equine * Pet CPR & First Aid Training. I am a former EMT; EAMT; WEMT & have been teaching over 13 years.

Learn lifesaving skills by becoming the First Responder for humans and animals...you just may save a life!

We are looking for individuals or businesses to host our classes throughout AZ, or you can attend at one of our locations.

PM us your email address & we'll send you our 2025 Course Catalog offering 24+ classes

602-753-6734

Human:

Hearts and Wounds

Equine & Pet:

Comfy Pets of AZ

Paper Shredders -- are they a danger to your dogs?

It's  the end of the year, again, and we find ourselves going through all of our documents and receipts to prepare for tax season.  This is the time that we use the most convenient item in our household to destroy the papers that we no longer need.

Did you know that a simple paper shredder can be very dangerous to your pet(s) or child?  A curious dog trots over to the paper shredder to check it out, and all of a sudden, as your pet is licking the top of the shredder (dogs lick to get the scent) the dog's tongue is pulled into the shredder.  There are documented articles on pet owners facing this particular medical emergency issue.  

If you find your pet's tongue in a shredder:

● Unplug it immediately

● Try to get the tongue out, but only if it doesn't do more damage

● Transport to vet (along with the top of the shredder if need be) immediately

Dogs have bitten off their tongues trying to free themselves, which of course makes it even more dire of a medical emergency.  Yes, dogs have learned to adapt without a tongue to eat and drink, but why should they.....if the shredder was unplugged or turned off in the first place, there would be no medical emergency that a pet owner would have to face.

Pet owners have to think of their home as they would with a baby/toddler in the house.  In my home, I have a new puppy and basically have to baby-proof my home. 

So, at this moment, walk over to your paper shredder and turn it off or, more importantly, unplug it.  After all, a dog can accidentally turn it back on with his/her nose.  

I wouldn't wish this type of medical nightmare on any animal or child.

My name is Teri Ann, and I offer Human * Equine * Pet CPR & First Aid Training. I am a former EMT; EAMT; WEMT & have been teaching over 13 years.

Learn lifesaving skills by becoming the First Responder for humans and animals...you just may save a life!

We are looking for individuals or businesses to host our classes throughout AZ, or you can attend at one of our locations.

PM us your email address & we'll send you our 2024-2025 Course Catalog offering 24+ classes

602-753-6734

Human:

http://www.heartsandwounds.com

Equine & Pet:

http://www.comfypetsofaz.com