Adult tail docking fee
- Thread starter calumb
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long_range_rob
Well-Known Member
My fox red had the same issue. Cost me £400 it’s not a complex operation.
And people tell you that is cruel to have spaniels docked 
. Back in the day docked all ma own & lots of friends terrier spaniel pups never lost a pup through docking the only injury was me if a very protective lil terrier bitch thought a was hurting here babies 
. Seen lots of docked labs they look ok
. Back in the day docked all ma own & lots of friends terrier spaniel pups never lost a pup through docking the only injury was me if a very protective lil terrier bitch thought a was hurting here babies . Seen lots of docked labs they look ok
Dunwaters
Well-Known Member
Full anaesthetic and stitching required plus follow up visit.
Was travelling in the back of an Argo a few years ago and another keepers dogs tail somehow managed to get between the tub and Argo body.Long story short , the tail got mangled and ultimately amputated in the chain.The cost at the vets was eye watering .Several thousand I seem to recall.
Dave Lakes
Well-Known Member
As far as I’m aware, when it’s done to pups it’s very early on before the nerves have formed in the area, so it’s a very simple thing, I don’t think it even requires anaesthetic. Obviously once adults, it’s a full procedure.
They definitely feel it and they do react however in my experience the reaction to the cut is similar to if the bitch accidentally treads on them for example, i.e. very short lived. Very often with a litter of at least 4 the first one you do is asleep again (or back feeding) by the time you are done with the last one. On balance the pain/discomfort to the pup when done less that 5 days old is relatively minimal. The worst bit is applying the cauterising after to stop bleeding, that is more distressing to them that the actual procedure. I have docked litters where I have left them to clot on their own and also have done them where I have cauterised. Generally those who are experienced with having pups docked don't mind the blood (it's a little messy but relatively mild and less distress to pup) those who aren't prefer them cauterised but there is more squeaking. I have not seen complications with either method.
Funny isnt it the operation is the same as been done for decades and the last dog i had this done on was when i was an apprentice in the 80s . It didnt even cost my weekly wage which was about £40 .
Dont tell me insurance hasn't lifted vet prices a raving fortune when you adjust aveage inflation . The Vet who did it owned the practice , drove a real nice motor and lived in a big posh house
A few inches off the end and a fasten up and anaesthetic . Never mind going off to Poland to see a dentist for implants ! Will be taking our dogs out the UK soon enough
Dont tell me insurance hasn't lifted vet prices a raving fortune when you adjust aveage inflation . The Vet who did it owned the practice , drove a real nice motor and lived in a big posh house
A few inches off the end and a fasten up and anaesthetic . Never mind going off to Poland to see a dentist for implants ! Will be taking our dogs out the UK soon enough
On the original subject of a tail amputation.
When comparing costs it is really important to know what was estimated for.
If you take your car in for a "service" that could mean an oil and filter. Or it could mean Oil, air, pollen and fuel filters, engine flush and oil change, brake fluid change, coolant spec check and all catches greased/adjusted.
Likewise with surgery. Is the patient getting a bare bones, knock out anaesthetic, amputate tail, stitch and wake up with 3 days of pain killers?
OR
are they having pre-operative bloods to check basic health status (I found an early hepatitis, with no signs of illness in a patient recently before a routine neutering). Then with the anaesthetic, they get full monitoring with a multiparameter monitor (£4000-£9000), real time temperature logging, specialist warming machine that wont burn them (approx £1000 to buy) instead of rubber gloves filled with hot water which present a scald risk if they burst.
Then are they given an epidural which is considered the best pain relief for this procedure but very technically challenging to perform and not without risks. If not they may receive a constant rate infusion of 2 or 3 pain management medications using specially calibrated infusion machines (anywhere between £600-£800) to try to minimise post operative pain in what is already a very sensitive area. Is the tail then bandaged correctly using tip protection to go home. As regards mediations going home, instead of 3 days of doggy aspirin, they may be getting 3 different pain management medications, one anti-inflammatory, one (maybe 2 painkillers) and in addition they may be getting behaviour modifying medications to help you manage the post operative period as Tail amps have a very high complication rate and often repeat surgery is required if the post op period is not perfect. Does the price paid include a bandage change and check in 2-3 days?
The former option can be successful, absolutely and certainly should be cheaper but it definitely carries a higher complication rate. Then in the event of complications, who bares responsibility? The vet who tried to work within budget constraints or you as the owner who imposed the budget constraints?
Please do not misinterpret me here, I am not white washing veterinary care costs, there are huge variables at play and you may get a better job done for £400 than one that costs you £1100. This is where building a good relationship with your vet comes in. All I am saying is "A Tail Amputation" is not necessarily comparable across the board, there can be an awful lot of difference between one and another.
Whatever you do though, follow the post op care instructions EXACTLY. If you have any concerns regarding your ability to monitor the patient or their likelihood to interfere with the surgical site, discuss them with your vet before or at least at the discharge, this will hopefully help minimise complications. I have had to muzzle/provide mild sedations for one or two particularly obsessive patients to enable us to get the wounds left alone to allow healing to take place.
If you have any questions as regards anything specific feel free to drop a message and I will try to clarify any confusions etc
All the best.
When comparing costs it is really important to know what was estimated for.
If you take your car in for a "service" that could mean an oil and filter. Or it could mean Oil, air, pollen and fuel filters, engine flush and oil change, brake fluid change, coolant spec check and all catches greased/adjusted.
Likewise with surgery. Is the patient getting a bare bones, knock out anaesthetic, amputate tail, stitch and wake up with 3 days of pain killers?
OR
are they having pre-operative bloods to check basic health status (I found an early hepatitis, with no signs of illness in a patient recently before a routine neutering). Then with the anaesthetic, they get full monitoring with a multiparameter monitor (£4000-£9000), real time temperature logging, specialist warming machine that wont burn them (approx £1000 to buy) instead of rubber gloves filled with hot water which present a scald risk if they burst.
Then are they given an epidural which is considered the best pain relief for this procedure but very technically challenging to perform and not without risks. If not they may receive a constant rate infusion of 2 or 3 pain management medications using specially calibrated infusion machines (anywhere between £600-£800) to try to minimise post operative pain in what is already a very sensitive area. Is the tail then bandaged correctly using tip protection to go home. As regards mediations going home, instead of 3 days of doggy aspirin, they may be getting 3 different pain management medications, one anti-inflammatory, one (maybe 2 painkillers) and in addition they may be getting behaviour modifying medications to help you manage the post operative period as Tail amps have a very high complication rate and often repeat surgery is required if the post op period is not perfect. Does the price paid include a bandage change and check in 2-3 days?
The former option can be successful, absolutely and certainly should be cheaper but it definitely carries a higher complication rate. Then in the event of complications, who bares responsibility? The vet who tried to work within budget constraints or you as the owner who imposed the budget constraints?
Please do not misinterpret me here, I am not white washing veterinary care costs, there are huge variables at play and you may get a better job done for £400 than one that costs you £1100. This is where building a good relationship with your vet comes in. All I am saying is "A Tail Amputation" is not necessarily comparable across the board, there can be an awful lot of difference between one and another.
Whatever you do though, follow the post op care instructions EXACTLY. If you have any concerns regarding your ability to monitor the patient or their likelihood to interfere with the surgical site, discuss them with your vet before or at least at the discharge, this will hopefully help minimise complications. I have had to muzzle/provide mild sedations for one or two particularly obsessive patients to enable us to get the wounds left alone to allow healing to take place.
If you have any questions as regards anything specific feel free to drop a message and I will try to clarify any confusions etc
All the best.
wildfowler.250
Well-Known Member
I think I’ll pay the estate I go stag stalking on £500 this year instead of £700 because that used to be that price.
I do enjoy reading these posts. It’s absolutely fine to ask if a price is reasonable/in the right ball park. But you can just guarantee it will be followed by 40 folk saying 1) rip off 2) “the good old days” 3) it’s just a few cuts and you’re done,(having never done the procedure).
Would be interested to see the perspective if someone was going in to have a finger amputated. “Oh yes, just a couple of stitches. They can do it in the waiting room to keep the costs down. I’ll be back in work tomorrow”.
I do enjoy reading these posts. It’s absolutely fine to ask if a price is reasonable/in the right ball park. But you can just guarantee it will be followed by 40 folk saying 1) rip off 2) “the good old days” 3) it’s just a few cuts and you’re done,(having never done the procedure).
Would be interested to see the perspective if someone was going in to have a finger amputated. “Oh yes, just a couple of stitches. They can do it in the waiting room to keep the costs down. I’ll be back in work tomorrow”.
One thing to remember, amputation in an adult is typically because of a problem with non-healing. It’s not uncommon for that problem to start again with the new shorter tail. Should be factored in when you’re assessing costs, if repeat surgery or lengthy post-op healing happens.Just had a quote for our Lab with “happy tail” to have the end amputated, I was expecting around £1000 but they’re coming out at £350 roughly
Before the nerves are formed?
do you really think dogs are burned without a fully formed nervous system?
I was lucky, the lab that had 'happy tail, managed to heal enough when I changed to using gaffer tape directly to the tail to stop it being hit.... everything else used to just get chewed off by one dog or another!
my current 'younger' lab had an infected tail a few days after getting him, (at 15 months of age) so not covered by the insurance I had... infection was tracking up the bone..... now has a 5 inch stump that easily could win the waggiest tail comps! my vat suggested not just to have a bit taken off as it would make it harder to heal.
my current 'younger' lab had an infected tail a few days after getting him, (at 15 months of age) so not covered by the insurance I had... infection was tracking up the bone..... now has a 5 inch stump that easily could win the waggiest tail comps! my vat suggested not just to have a bit taken off as it would make it harder to heal.
Last edited:
Dave Lakes
Well-Known Member
Yes.
Pretty much all medical research and views agree that puppies can feel pain from birth the same as an adult dog.
so similar to circumcision then
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