Bulldog Tail Pocket Cleaning

BigBulldogs.com Tail Pocket Cleaning Protocol

Preparation

• Teamwork: This is a two-person job. One person to comfort and hold the dog, and one to perform the cleaning.
• Supplies: Rubber gloves, Dawn dish soap, a 10-20 ml syringe (no needle), Povidone-iodine (Betadine), and a towel to “pat dry”

Step 1: The Deep Clean (Days 1, 4, and 7)

You will perform this thorough washing cycle on the first day, the third day, and the seventh day.

1. Lather Up: Put on rubber gloves and apply Dawn dish soap.

2. The Scrub: Using your smallest finger, reach deep into the tail pocket. You must scrub the deepest points thoroughly to break up debris. You must clean thoroughly.

Note: Your dog will likely find this uncomfortable; have your partner provide treats or head scratches to keep them calm but it is super important to do a thorough job.

3. Rinse & Repeat: Rinse the area completely with warm water. Repeat this scrub-and-rinse process 3 times to ensure the area is sterile.

4. Towel Dry: No need to fully dry just get it towel dry best as possible.

Step 2: Iodine Treatment (Daily)

Once the pocket is clean and towel dry, apply the Iodine.

1. Measure: Draw up 12 mL or more of Povidone-iodine into the syringe. (Enough to saturate the area.)
2. Apply: Carefully syringe the iodine all around the internal tail pocket area where you just scrubbed. Squirt it in deep as possible until saturated then dab off the excess.
3. Frequency: Apply this iodine treatment twice daily am and pm throughout the week.

Summary Schedule

This protocol has saved many tails. I do not recommend having the tail amputated. This has worked for me 100% of the time in the last 30 years.