Q: How do you tell if your cats tail is injured?
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