Getting Proper Treatment For A Cat With A Tail Injury
If your cat is showing signs that they had injured their tail, you may wonder what your options are in getting it the help it needs. A tail injury is a delicate situation that should always be handled by a veterinarian. Here are some of the signs a cat would display as well as the options the veterinarian would have if your cat is suffering from this condition.
Know The Signs Of A Tail Injury
Cats are creatures that mask their injuries rather well. Often people are not aware they are suffering from a condition because of this nature. With a tail injury, there are some tell-tale signs that would lead you to the assumption the cat is in need of assistance. If your cat has any of the following symptoms, bring them to a veterinarian for an evaluation.
- An area where the skin appears to be broken, possibly with blood
- Redness at the base of the tail (this is difficult to see because of the cat's fur)
- The inability to hold the tail in an upright position
- A spot in the tail where it appears to have a bent portion
- Wobbling or difficulty staying upright
- Flinching or crying out in pain when someone tries to touch the tail
- An inability to use the litterbox effectively
Get Effective Treatment From A Veterinarian
Since the tail is an appendage, it will need to be treated in the same manner as a leg would. The veterinarian (such as one from River View Veterinary Service LLC) would first give the cat an X-ray to determine if the tail is broken or if it is hurting the cat because of a flesh wound. In cases where the bones are intact, the veterinarian would be able to treat the wound with antibiotics, inflammatory medication, and antibacterial ointments.
If the tail is broken in an area that didn't affect the spine or back legs, the veterinarian may place a splint upon it until the bones have healed. If the vertebrae are separated within the tail, splinting will not be effective. The veterinarian would then recommend that the tail is amputated at the location of the break.
Deal With Paralysis Due To The Injury
Since the tail is attached to the spine, there is a chance the cat has lost feeling in the appendage altogether. If it was injured at a location near the base, there is a chance the cat is suffering from the inability to move its bowels effectively. If this is the case, the veterinarian would need to manually stimulate them to relieve the pressure the cat is feeling from this condition.
The cat would need to be monitored for several days in an animal hospital to see if they regain feeling in the spinal area, allowing them the ability to regain control of their bathroom habits. If the spine or back legs are permanently damaged with paralysis, the veterinarian may recommend having the cat euthanized so it does not continue to suffer.