A highly successful show dog who almost lost her tail following a mystery accident is back to competing thanks to pioneering laser therapy at our animal hospital.
Three-year-old Spice, a championship-winning Korthals Griffon whose show name is Fidelix Infinity, underwent the successful treatment to keep her tail and has subsequently competed at Crufts this year.
As well as laser therapy, our veterinary nurses undertook regular dressing changes for the wound.
Nikki Shingler, Veterinary Physiotherapist here at WMR who performed the laser therapy, said: “The referring practice performed a physical examination and found a circular wound with the tail tip severely traumatised.
“Spice came to WMR, and the treatment was very successful. We managed to heal the tip of the tail without the need for any surgical intervention.”
Spice’s owner, Sallie Blair from Draycott in the Clay, in Staffordshire, said: “Spice previously split her tail badly in 2022, but we persevered with it and it healed.
“We had not had a problem until earlier this year, when it appeared that the end of the tail had literally been lacerated. I think she must have bashed her tail somewhere, or got it trapped.”
Sallie’s local vets, who prescribed antibiotics, anti-inflammatories and pain relief to Spice, suggested docking might be an option but this would have been a disappointment to Sallie due to the showing regulations for Crufts and many overseas shows.
Sallie said: “Of course, Spice’s welfare comes first and if her tail needed to be docked then we would have had it done. We agreed we would see how we went with dressings and medication for a few days.”
Meanwhile, Sallie posted anonymously on social media with a photograph of the tail, with many people saying it wouldn’t heal. Then one owner said they had been offered laser treatment for a very similar injury and it had worked like a miracle.
Sallie added: “I did my research and found West Midlands Referrals and got my wonderful vets at the Uttoxeter Veterinary Practice to refer me.
“The goal was to get Spice to Crufts. We did that. We didn’t win, but we achieved our goal. It was hard work and we still protect the tail and with the right care we won’t have to amputate in the future.
“My huge thanks to West Midlands Referrals who were great and made everything very simple.”
