Injury or just mad??

Two days ago a stray cat came onto our deck while our two cats were sitting at the screen door. Trying to "defend" their territory, Deuce started to growl... and when Puddy, our younger (fatter) cat tried to get in on the action, Deuce turned on her. They were tussling pretty hard and I YELLED at them to stop. They separated immediately, and Puddy (who is skiddish) went running.

The next morning, Puddy began acting really scared - her eyes were wide, tail down, running when we approached her. She is warming up a bit, but her tail is still really down. She lifts it halfway, and it looks... bent. DH is worried she actually broke her tail (I would have no idea HOW). But she doesn't seem to be guarding it, except that she won't let us pet her. But again, she seems so scared of us...

It's very perplexing... so what do you think? Is it psychological or physical? She is eating, drinking, and otherwise fine - it's just the skiddish behavior and/or tail situation...

Any advice would be appreciated!

Thank you!
Elizabeth

Have you tried checking her tail or her body for any signs that Deuce may have accidently bit or clawed her? I'm sure he was trying to keep her safe and away from the stray,but overeacted a bit? No doubt it scared her,but if she acts skittish for more than a day or so,you may want to have the vet take a look at her.

Last night we were able to examine Puddy a little bit better - by searching the forums I saw that the tail is a common site of bite wounds - sure enough, near the top of her tail is a wound, or swollen segment, or something... I called the vet this morning and am waiting to hear back about when we can take her in.

She's a lot more her "normal" self this morning - she brought her mousie to our bedroom at 6 a.m., she wants to be pet, etc. And she's holding her tail erect - though it is still "bent". So either it is getting better, or she is getting sicker and needier. Either way - it's time to see a vet I REALLY hope it's not an abcess, though if I had to bet, that's what I would pick. Our first baby, Kitty, had an abcess on her back and it was SUCH a pain to treat...

Anyway, I'm so glad I visited the forums - I don't know if I would have thought it was a bite wound otherwise...

Elizabeth

You're a good cat mommy. Glad to hear that you are taking kitty to the vet. Let us know what the outcome is.

Thanks It turns out the vet can't see us today, but will open a bit early to see us first thing tomorrow morning. We'll keep an eye on her today... hopefully she is already on the mend!

Elizabeth

Aaaaaw,poor girl. I hope it doesn't turn into an abcess. Keep us updated!

Hi folks,

We just got back from the vet with Puddy and she indeed had a small abcess on her tail. Thanfully it was small and had already ruptured, so the vet shaved part of her tail and cleaned it out, gave her a shot of antibiotics. We will start a course of antibiotics for her tonight as well. Funny enough, DH and I also just started antibiotics in preparation for a round of IVF... so 75% of our household is on antibiotics!

Anyway, thanks for your help... Puddy should be back on the mend

Elizabeth