Dog tail injury: Is amputation needed and what's the cost?

Question

3 weeks ago my SO got our dogs tail caught in her car door somehow as she was closing it.We took her to the vet where they stitched her up and wrapped it at $400. Last week we had our follow up and they told me it looks like we need to snip about inch of her tail off. They are saying it will be $700 for this procedure.Does this seem right?Is this something that could be avoided all together?What could happen if it is not cut off?She is her normal playful self and does not seem to be in any pain. Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Medium (23 - 60lb) | Female | spayed | 1 year and 4 months old | 40 lbs

Ann Dion, DVM · Accepted Answer

Hello and welcome to Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Prices of surgeries will vary greatly depending on clinic, location, country, state, etc. In general, you get what you pay for, so if a surgery is very low cost at one clinic, and more expensive at all the other clinics, you have to be wary of where they are cutting corners. In general, I would say that 700$ for an amputation is a good price, it's not scary low, but defenitely not a high price. You can call around the clinics in your area to get a general price estimate. If the tail is getting infected and not healing (which it appears it is by the pictures), then amputation is required. Tails can often need more than one surgery, especially if a quick stitch up is the first attempt, as they wag the tail, don't let it heal, and also just the anatomy of the tail. It is not surprising given the history that the surgery is required. If left alone, infection can get into the bones and the spinal canal of the tail, and cause an ascending infection up the spine, which as you can imagine can be very very bad. I recommend going ahead with the surgery. Best of luck with Reyki.

Dog tail injury: Is amputation needed and what's the cost?

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