Is My Cat's Tail Injured?

What to look for and what to do if you suspect a feline tail injury.

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A: Cats with an injured tail can show several signs. Certainly, a cat that cries out in pain when you touch or manipulate the tail is likely to have suffered some type of tail injury. Some cats with a broken tail may have an obvious kink in the tail at the site of the injury. Visual inspection of the tail will often reveal a cut or scrape on the tail, although not always. Sometimes the fur (especially in longhaired cats) will camouflage the injury. Neurological damage to the tail can sometimes be seen as an inability to lift the tail or a lack of sensation in the tail when it is touched or squeezed. If you suspect that your cat might have suffered a tail injury of any kind, have your veterinarian take a look.

Regards,
Arnold Plotnick, DVM

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Is My Cat's Tail Injured?

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rebecca    Wellington, AK 10/30/2010 5:47:18 PM my cat just got bitten on the tail by a dog and has bleed quite a lot but has now stopped. i rang vet and they said to put a towel around tail and put pressure of it? i would take her to vet but am unable to at the moment justin    los angeles, CA 8/27/2010 8:02:12 AM not what i was looking 4 Addam    West Covina, CA 6/2/2009 10:27:34 PM well with the stunts my cat has done luckly we dont have to take him to the vet for tail injure. i will look for signs if i hear a lot of nonsensce from my cat Chrystal    Firestone, CO 6/2/2009 9:31:43 PM Thanks!