thread: Cat's tail

  1. #1
    Registered User

    Apr 2007
    SE QLD
    2,321

    Question Cat's tail

    This last week, my cat Bond (he's just over 2yrs old) has had a funky tail. Not funky good either. It's curved up at the top like a question mark and just hangs down. He's not in pain at all, unless you touch his tail. DH says half his tail moves on it's own.

    There is a lump 3/4 of the way down his tail. We're thinking he's maybe got a tick, broken or dislocated his tail. We live in a suburb with lots of trees and bushland.

    I want to take him to a vet tomorrow. What can I say to the vet, and what can I expect to hear from them? What else could be wrong with his tail??

  2. #2
    Registered User
    Add krysalyss on Facebook

    Feb 2007
    on the move.....
    2,745

    Hey there. Which part of the tail moves - the top or the bottom? It doesn't sound like a tick as you would see a tick and they present differently. Having said that having you noticed anything abnormal about the cat with walking, breathing, panting, lethargy, vomiting etc. If yes, I would consider taking her to an after hours vet.

    It actually sounds to me like your cat has broken her tail or the like. Is it the end part that hangs limp and doesn't move. If you touch just the end is it painful? If she doesn't react try higher and higher up until you do get a reaction. If you don't get a reaction at the end try giving it a tiny pinch with your finger and thumb. If you get no reaction she may have lost feeling there. If she is feeling pain at least you know she still have nerve function.
    How is she feeling otherwise?

  3. #3
    Registered User

    Apr 2007
    SE QLD
    2,321

    He's fine otherwise, but I'll go check his tail in a minute (coz I'll have to find him first!)

  4. #4
    Registered User

    Oct 2003
    Forestville NSW
    8,944

    mmmm I would call Wynnum Manly Vet And let them know you are my friend....

    BUT it could be a few things, most often we see tail pull injuries. If you don't see any wounds, it could be broken or have some nerve damage. In the past few years in that area we have seen quite a few spider bites. But for all the injuries, half the time we have to amputate the tail. It sounds drastic but if the tail has nerve damage its the only thing they can do, if its a broken tail they can try to splint it.

  5. #5
    Registered User

    Apr 2007
    SE QLD
    2,321

    Thanks guys! There is about an inch of tail at the end that doesn't seem to feel anything. At the top of that inch, there is a lump, looks like he has gotten into a fight (possibly with his brother, or another cat). He has an appointment at 4 to get checked out (Sorry Christy! Wynnum is just too far now! Especially with a cat!)

    Will keep you posted!

  6. #6
    Registered User

    Aug 2006
    On the other side of this screen!!!
    11,129

    My cat had a cat fight abcessy thing on her tail once and it kind of went wonky. I think (it was a long time ago) they x-rayed to make sure it wasn't broken, drained the abcess, gave her an injection, then sent her home for rest and antibiotics. It came good pretty quickly.

  7. #7
    Registered User

    Apr 2007
    SE QLD
    2,321

    Bond was in a fight and it was an infected bite wound. No where near as bad as i feared. Thank you everyone!

  8. #8
    Registered User

    Mar 2006
    soon to be somewhere exotic
    1,550

    yah for it not being more serious

    Get better soon Bond!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!