CHAFFING UNDERNEATH THE TAIL OR SORE UNDER TAIL
"I'm so sorry that there is chaffing... poor pup!"
Happy TailSaver
Under tail Chaffing is preventable, but I'm so sorry it happened! That's caused when the under-tail pad that the tail sits on is too tight. I will help you and your pup!
1 To address current sore area under the tail: you can put a Vaseline type ointment on it and wrap it with self-sticking wrap (vet wrap), though not tight enough to constrict blood flow. It prevents further chaffing while healing, and most dogs will tolerate it on the very top portion of tail. The wound should look better very soon (first 24 hours) or you'll need to leave tail sleeve off while it heals. ( If this happens ask us for an alternate cover while it heals)
# 2. You can shorten wag strap to prevent wagging... & to prevent further friction for right now. The wag strap will need to come off or be loosened for going
# 3 Stop use of TailSaver if the vet-wrap and wag strap don't result in improvement in 1 day of use.
Now... for preventing further chaffing.
The #1 best way to prevent chaffing is to feel under the tail right where it meets the body every day... just in case their wiggly activities causes it to push up into the area too much.
How to keep the sleeve on without heavy pressure under the tail? 1. Does sleeve come up the back 1/3 distance of back or less than 1/3? Good! If it's covering more than 1/3 of the back contact us for a smaller Sleeve. 2. Is harness centered? Is Wag strap keeping tail lower than height of your pups back? Is top of sleeve staying centered on pups rump? Have you back threaded the straps along back so they won't loosen? When all are just right the pressure under the tail can be gentle, like pajamas, and the tail sleeve will be secure, not coming off at all.
1. Micro adjusting the straps to harness: Watch for any shifting off-center on your pups rump. If it shifts left tighten the strap on the right 1/2". If it shifts right... tighten the strap on the left 1/2" . This can go on for a day. Dog's are really wiggly and their movements help us to set those straps in exactly the perfect position. It's set permanently set as long as the straps are back-threaded ( push the end of strap through the slide buckle an extra time so it's facing the back of his/her head)
2. Harness needs to be forward on the torso, to do this shorten the neck straps if needed. The harness needs to be laterally stable meaning you can't tug it easily left or right. When perfect the girth straps go around the largest part of his torso.
3. Keep tail from lifting up as high as back... this is important because the gentle pressure we need under the tail is lost when the tail lifts as high as the back or above the back.
4. Tailsleeve size... The top of the sleeve should be sitting somewhere on the back 1/3 of torso. We offer free size exchanges. Send us a photo if you're unsure.
5. Straps under tension must be "locked". They will loosen enough when not locked to lose needed tension, be sure to back thread the end of strap in slide buckle to prevent loosening. *A few straps don't need locking.. neck, hip to chest, and wag straps.