Pet care: Milo the dog has trouble at both ends

First in a series.

Have you ever heard the expression, “Like a dog chasing its tail?” This actually happens.

Milo is a handsome miniature poodle who, in his youth, was a happy little guy sporting a fuzzy plume from his derriere. This was no longer the case. As he entered my exam room, he often looked back at his rear end and sometimes barked frantically while reaching for the red and swollen stub of what remained. The plastic cone he wore seemed to add to his frustration. Rob, the man who loved Milo, was desperate for help.

My practice manager, Carolyn, is our first contact with the worried pet parents who call my office. Having been an essential part of my veterinary work for a long time, she gathers the facts and listens to the feelings. Carolyn brought Milo’s case to me right away.

Milo had a history of seizures that plagued him for the previous two years. Our neurologist diagnosed epilepsy and prescribed anticonvulsant medication that she hoped would also reduce the tail chasing. Rob explained that the medication decreased the frequency of his dog’s convulsions, but the spinning and aggressive tail biting had worsened. He described severe tissue damage and smoldering infection. Milo needed help ASAP. I suspected serious trouble with his tail, along with two different areas of his brain.

The brain, considered the most complex organ in the body, is essential to life itself. It’s the site of behavior, emotions, learning and most other physical actions. I embraced this specialty early in my career, even before my residency training, because it’s challenging and because behavior is the reason people have pets. Neurology is closely related to behavior medicine, while involving somewhat different areas of the nervous system. Milo’s tail chasing and mutilation were in my wheelhouse.

A disorder in Milo’s brain circuitry was the underlying cause but his acutely painful tail was the screaming priority, having already endured two surgeries. The exposed vertebra at the tip made it especially vulnerable.

Next week: Helping Milo feel better and turn his life around.

• For help with behavior problems, you can sign up for a Zoom group conference at drjeffnichol.com
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