Samspon’s had a bald spot on his tail for quite a while now. At first I thought it might be a lick granuloma, but I’ve never seem him pick at it. Last week I noticed it was bleeding a little and then it scabbed over. Sampson had an appointment with the vet yesterday to get his Leptospirosis vaccine and I planned on discussing it with Dr. Soutter.
Here’s how it went down.
This dog cracks me up. As soon as we walk into the vet’s office, he “Roo, Roo, Roos” so loud the entire office knows he’s there. Cecelia gets on the phone and alerts the back, “Sampson has just announced his arrival.”
Within a minute, Shannon comes out to weigh Sampson and bring him into the exam room. Sampson weights in at 84 pounds. This means he has lost a pound in two weeks. A bit concerning to me, but no-one else seems bothered by it.
When Dr. Soutter enters the room Sampson smiles from ear to ear as she scratches his tummy. I tell her I’m concerned about that spot on his tail. She takes one look at it and says, “Oh, that’s stud tail I don’t know why they call it that.” Basically it’s a gland in the tail that somehow becomes blocked. It causes changes to the tail, hardening of the skin and loss of fur.
Typically it’s not treated unless it becomes infected. (However I did consult with Dr. Google and discovered there is a particular shampoo you can use that they say will clear it up. I’ll keep you posted on that one.)
Dr. Soutter gave him his vaccine and we left to check out. I hooked Sampson up at the hitch while I settled the bill when suddenly I heard, “Roo, Roo, Roo” again. Sampson had seen his favorite vet tech, Emily.
After their little love fest, we are on our way back home.
Have you ever heard of Stud Tail? From what I’ve googled, it seems there’s a ton of websites regarding cats and stud tail but very few sites dedicated to dogs with stud tail.
Reminder, the Dumb Ass Dog Owners blog hop is open until next Sunday. Mary and I hope you will share your stories of dumb assery and link up to the hop.
Don’t worry Sampson and Delilah, I’ve got that covered.
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Jen | DOGthusiast says
I’ve never heard of that! “The more you know”, huh! 🙂
Callie, Shadow, and Ducky's Mom says
Stud tail?? Never heard of it, either. I wouldn’t worry about the weight loss unless it becomes chronic. Maybe it’s just the additional exercise he’s been getting since having healed from the ACL surgery.
Frankie and Ernie says
Wow Sampson… Stud Tail… that sounds so MANLEY.. Guess you are just living up to your name.
Cupcake says
I guess when you’re a stud, you’re a stud. There’s no hiding it.
Love and licks,
Cupcake
Lauranne says
That’s a new one on me!! Hope the shampoo helps (I am assuming you will be buying the shampoo?) I can’t see you just leaving it
Emma says
Never heard of that specifically. Nice for him and you that he is so enthusiastic about the vet, Katie and I are definitely not and I often have to be carried in because I refuse to walk in. About 2 yrs ago my tail was hanging low on our walk and Mom noticed a big bubble on it. Shortly after we got home she realized I had popped it and it was a bloody, goopy mess. We went to the vet and they said it was an infected gland or hair follicle. I got some meds for the infection and had my tail carefully wrapped up. It healed really fast, but what we found interesting is how fragile a tail is and that you always have to bandage loosely because the blood flow is poor and if it is too tight, it can cut of circulation and part of the tail can die real quickly. Scary, but good to know.
jan says
Stud tail, it sounds like too much testosterone and it just has to pop out someplace.
Jan K says
Never heard of that! Glad it’s nothing serious though. How great that Sampson doesn’t hate going to the vet!
2 brown dawgs says
Yes I have heard of it. Freighter had a bit of it when he was young. His fur was a bit of a different color (lighter). He never had a bald spot or infection. It cleared as he aged.
Sue says
Never heard of stud tail! Thank goodness it’s nothing serious and will be interesting to hear of that shampoo sends it packing.
retro rover says
Well proof he is a Stud! (I bet he knew it all along)
retro rover
Jen says
I’ve heard of Happy Tail (which I’m glad Sampson does not have) but never Stud Tail. That’s kind of an….icky name for it.
DZ Dogs says
Ziva has a spot like that! I wonder if it’s the same thing…can you post pictures?