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  1. #1
    Senior Dog janedoe's Avatar
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    Rottweiler tails?

    Our Zo is a Rott/Aussie mix. For some reason, most of her littermates' tails were docked and hers wasn't. Her tail is just beautiful but she's had chronic problems. First there was a huge cyst only a couple of inches up from her backside. That burst eventually and didn't come back but every since, the dogs have been sniffing her like there's something smelly back there. Now we're dealing with a hot spot that was leaking fluid then got bloody during treatment. That seems to be healing but it was clearly painful when it happened. Her tail is extremely furry and I wasn't aware of it until I saw a wet spot and didn't know where it came from.

    Does anyone know anything about Rott tails? Or Aussie tails for that matter? Are they prone to this kind of thing? There's so little info because most of these guys are docked but I was hoping that someone might know if this kind of thing is typical when they're not.

  2. #2
    Senior Dog Labradorks's Avatar
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    They don't dock them in Europe (it's illegal), so it might be worth a google search. My trainer got her aussie from a very experienced and successful breeder there were no qualms about leaving the tail intact and as far as I know, no issues.

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  4. #3
    Senior Dog Snowshoe's Avatar
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    Stud tail is really smelly. It's not just in male dogs or intact dogs (or cats). It's where I would say is "down" on the tail at the supracaudal gland. Think maybe it could be this?

    Introducing the Dogs Supracaudal Gland - Dog Discoveries
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  6. #4
    Senior Dog janedoe's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Snowshoe View Post
    Stud tail is really smelly. It's not just in male dogs or intact dogs (or cats). It's where I would say is "down" on the tail at the supracaudal gland. Think maybe it could be this?

    Introducing the Dogs Supracaudal Gland - Dog Discoveries
    That looks really plausible but everything is happening on the underside of her tail. It doesn't smell to me but something smells to the other dogs. Interesting though. I didn't know there was a gland in the tail.

  7. #5
    Senior Dog POPTOP's Avatar
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    Sounds like there may be some underlying problem. Maybe a small cyst that occasionally flares up?
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  9. #6
    Senior Dog janedoe's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by POPTOP View Post
    Sounds like there may be some underlying problem. Maybe a small cyst that occasionally flares up?
    It does seem to be too coincidental. These things are happening in different spots though. I like the gland idea but it seems to be in the wrong place.

  10. #7
    Senior Dog labsnewfy's Avatar
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    I was going to suggest the scent glad too because our Lowen a blue merle aussie had problems with that if we didnt' keep his tail groomed. I pulled up the rottie health and found that Rottweilers are prone to Hypothyroidism that might be causing some of her problems too. A simple blood panel checking T3 and T4 count will be able to solve that. If Zo does have a nice thick tail, as she gets older you might have to help her out more by brushing it 3 to 4 times a week removing the hair and skin keeping the air flowing.

    Also and this is a stretch but is the area that is infected where she sits on her tail or keeps it curled next to her body? Zo might have a discharge that is getting on her tail and skin causing an infection? I only suggest that because Sarah and Myrtle our neighbors dog were sniffing around Ginger, while she does't have a tail they were very interested in her lady parts. I didn't notice until a couple days after that Ginger had a discharge and off to the vet we went, she was treated with antibiotics so hoping that takes care of it.

    hope you figure out what is going on with Zo and she feels better soon.
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  12. #8
    Senior Dog janedoe's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by labsnewfy View Post
    I was going to suggest the scent glad too because our Lowen a blue merle aussie had problems with that if we didnt' keep his tail groomed. I pulled up the rottie health and found that Rottweilers are prone to Hypothyroidism that might be causing some of her problems too. A simple blood panel checking T3 and T4 count will be able to solve that. If Zo does have a nice thick tail, as she gets older you might have to help her out more by brushing it 3 to 4 times a week removing the hair and skin keeping the air flowing.

    Also and this is a stretch but is the area that is infected where she sits on her tail or keeps it curled next to her body? Zo might have a discharge that is getting on her tail and skin causing an infection? I only suggest that because Sarah and Myrtle our neighbors dog were sniffing around Ginger, while she does't have a tail they were very interested in her lady parts. I didn't notice until a couple days after that Ginger had a discharge and off to the vet we went, she was treated with antibiotics so hoping that takes care of it.

    hope you figure out what is going on with Zo and she feels better soon.
    The vet cleared her for discharge but it has to be something. I'll have her checked again. It is kind of where she tucks it in. I initially didn't think the wetness came from her tail at all because of that. My first reaction was that she was developing an incontinence issue but it didn't smell like urine.

    I'll get blood work done.

  13. #9
    Senior Dog labsnewfy's Avatar
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    How is Zo's tail doing? hopefully her tail has cleared up.
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  15. #10
    Chief Pooper Scooper JenC's Avatar
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    I don't think this is a breed related issue.

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