My kittie's tail-tip is breaking off :-\

I'm new here, and I was wondering if anyone could help me. I live on a farm in ND with 11 outside cats, most of which are wild, so we can't catch them to be fixed. But one of my kitties, Tiger, has a problem. He's 7 mo. old and for awhile he has had a broken tail. About last month though, his tail started to get a scab around it about 1 inch or so from the tip. But just recently, I noticed it started to actually break off a little bit, and now today, it's just hanging on by, like, a thread. He's gotten very angry at it (and me) and he bites it, growls at it..a little bit ago he even hissed at me which he's never done before! But i'm worried that if it breaks off or he bites it off, that he might bleed everywhere. I also noticed that a little bit above his break, theres another scabby line and and like, 1 or 2 more dislocations or breaks. I'm taking him in to the vet on tuesday for him to get neutered, but might they have to amputate his tail, as well?

Ashley

Charlie recently broke his tail in a dog attack. He was in a lot of pain, please get your cat to a vet as soon as possible, if Charlies pain is anything to go buy your chap must be in agony by now. He will also be prone to infection if he has an open wound.

The vet warned me that Charlie could not feel his tail and it may have to be amputated because if he cannot feel it it is prone to damage, this may be what has happened to your cat.

Charlie's tail was taped up for 2 weeka and as soon as it was taped and he was given pain killers he seemed a lot more comfortable.

Luckily for Charlie the feeling in his tail started to come back but when it did he started to bite and chew at it. I rushed him straight back to the vet, she said it was because the feelings he was getting were strange to him like pins and needles.

When the bandage was taken off Charlie slowly reagined the use of his tail and I am happy to say he did not need to have it amputated.

How long ago did your cat break his tail ?

Did a vet see him at all ?

IT IS VERY IMPORTANT YOU GET VETERINARY TREATMENT ASAP.

Well, i'm not quite sure. The thing is, my cat Rosie had him in july, and in august I left for maine. Rosie and Tiger both left for quite awhile, my mom didn't see him again until late december and I came back in january. So, sometime between august and december his tail broke. I thought it would be okay and everything, until scabs starting forming around the break. He hasn't seen a vet yet and unfortunatly they aren't open today I also live an hour from the vet. He seems to be doing okay right now, he's sleeping.. But I'll see if i can get him in tomorrow instead of tuesday.

Is there an emergency vet nearby?
It sounds like the tissue in his tail is dying and he could get...or already have... a serious infection.
This is not something to wait on.

Yeah, I'd like to be able to get him in right away...no other vet by us, I called the closest one and they had an answering machine, so I left a message..I'm just really worried about him..Anyone know whats the worst that could happen?

Your only option is to get your kitty to a vet ASAP.
The worst that could happen is your kitty could develop a systemic infection, suffer terribly, then die.
This is not necessary with good vet care.

Originally Posted by Doomkittie

Yeah, I'd like to be able to get him in right away...no other vet by us, I called the closest one and they had an answering machine, so I left a message..I'm just really worried about him..Anyone know whats the worst that could happen?

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There are special clinics that are open all the time even on weekends.


Some vets offices will leave an emergency number in their answering machine message. Or you can look on the internet for emergency vets in your area.

The vet needs to fully understand that he is an outside cat who is hard to catch. While an inside cat may have the option of taping and allowing the tail to heal, and outside cat who loses feeling in his tail should probably have it amputated for his health.

I live out in the country, and get wild cats here occasionally. If they can't be caught, I just use a live trap to cage them so they can be spayed and neutered. Luckily, my vet does feral (wild) spays and neuters for $25 each. As your vet if s/he will give a discount on multiple or feral cats.

I agree that the worst that could happen is a systemic infection, and the kitty dying. Best case, they will correct it with the neuter surgery. If possible, a vet today is best. If not, first thing tomorrow morning!

Thanks everyone..it would kill me if he died..i've grown so close to my little baby..I'll try and see if theres an emergency vet closer.

You have made the right decision.

My sister's cat had her tail amputated after a fight and she was fine with it for several years.