Cats get into trouble whether they live inside or outside.Damage to the tail is one of the injuries cats can end up with.If your cat doesn't lift his tail when he comes home, he may have a broken tail or even a tail injury.You can see open wounds, blood or bone.Cats damage their tails by crushing, pulling, and getting stuck when they try to run away, or both.If the cat's tail is broken, learn to care for it during the healing period.
Step 1: Look at your cat's behavior.
One of the first signs of a tail injury is a cat's changed behavior.Your cat may start dragging his tail or keep it low to the ground all the time.Your cat may lose coordination in his back legs.They are not symptoms of a broken tail.The cat will definitely be dragging the tail if the injury is severe.
Step 2: The cat's tail can be injured.
Feel the length of the tail.There are signs of injury or break.If you notice redness, tenderness, and swelling with fluid underneath, there may be an abscess on your cat's tail.If there is exposed bone or if the skin has been stripped from the tail, this is called adegloving injury.If you notice a hard, non-painful kink in your cat's tail, it is most likely because he was born with it.Pull or try to remove part of the tail since it is severed.The use of the tail, hind limbs, bladder and bowel functions are at risk if you pull or stretch the tendons.It is difficult to control and could be life threatening for your cat.
Step 3: If your cat has a tail injury, take it to the vet.
The injury can be addressed by the vet.If your cat has a deep cut or degloving injury, he may need a partial or full amputation of his tail.Antibiotics can be prescribed by your vet if you have an open wound.The vet can check your cat for other injuries even if there are no external wounds.The tail being pulled may cause damage to the brain.The tail will be examined by the vet for signs of damage.If the vet suspects nerve damage, your cat may have a test.Nerve input is tested for anal and tail muscles.The vet knows if the tail will be able to recover.When you bring your cat to the vet's office, he may still be in pain.Speak softly and stay close to him.You should wrap your cat in a towel and put him in his carrier when you bring him to the vet's.This will calm him.
Step 4: Understand treatments.
Depending on where and how the tail is injured, you can have surgery or another treatment.The vet will amputate the tail if the cat can still walk.The vet will tell you to let the cat heal on its own if the end of the tail is broken.Depending on the extent of the damage to the tail, your cat may need to stay at the vet for a few days.Don't worry if your cat's tail needs to be removed.It may take him a while to adjust to the lack of nerve sensation.The change will not affect your cat's mobility in the long run.
Step 5: Allow your cat to take a break.
To prevent further trauma to his injuries, keep the cat inside.Put your cat in a small room, like a bedroom, bathroom, or laundry room.This will allow you to find him, check on the injury, and administer medication.Cats that are sick or injured prefer to be away from children, other pets and a lot of noise.
Step 6: Keep an eye on your cat's habits.
You have to pay attention to your cat's water intake and litter box habits.Bladder or bowel functions can be affected by tail injuries.If your cat isn't urinating or defecating, he could have nerve damage that could affect his functions.Talk to your vet if you notice any more problems.The vet may need to check your cat's urine for infections.
Step 7: Take your cat medication.
It's easy to remember if you have a schedule.You'll need to give antibiotics if you have open wounds.If your vet gives you a prescription, you should only give pain medication.Take over-the-counter pain medications.Many of these are given to cats.They can have serious side effects in cats.
Step 8: If you have wounds or incisions, keep them clean.
It's a good idea to check the wound at least once a day.If your cat has nerve damage or is too painful to lift his tail, he may soil himself with urine or feces.Blood, discharge, hair, litter, and other debris can be found around wounds.You may need to clean the wounds with a mixture of water and solutions.Most tail wounds don't need to be bandaged.Since they're damaging to tissues, don't use soap and peroxide.Don't scrub or pull the dry scabs off if you see them.
Step 9: It's a good idea to watch for infections.
If you don't take your cat to the vet, you will want to keep an eye on the injury site.Don't allow your cat to lick wounds.There are compounds in saliva that can help heal wounds, but excessive licking can irritate the skin and cause serious infections.There are signs of wounds that are white, green or yellow.If you keep an Elizabethan type collar on your cat, he won't lick the injury.Depending on the severity of the injury, it could take up to 3 weeks to heal.It may not heal perfectly, but there should be no pain.All open wounds should be closed.