I have never had or hear that any have atrophied any further…. Also I have never had any that turned black, they just fell off... And many times the tail tip will stay warm, 50/50 if it is lost or not. Have you used the oitment from birth?
And I like the A&D oitment because it makes a shield around the area, rather then a cream that just soaks in and disappears.
But like you noted, they have lots of white on the tip, so no problem there.
For those who have asked, seems like on newborn puppies they get some kind of what many refer to as cradle cap (like on a baby) on the tail tips. The tips will die and fall off... many have different "cures" from washing daily with dish soap, to creams, or for me the best I have found is the A&D oitment. Easy to put on, Moms seen to leave it alone, lasts all day/all night (for the first 2wks I put it on twice a day)....