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QuestionCan you fix a cat's broken tail?
Pippa Elliott, MRCVSDr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years. In addition, Dr. Elliott is a freelance veterinary copywriter specializing in taking dense topics and making them easy to digest. Her clients include The Webinar Vet, PetPlan US, TIME, and other top-ranked blogs. She also works with Improve International as a developmental editor for veterinary textbooks. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery.
VeterinarianThe weak point in a cat's tail is the ligaments holding the line of small bones together. It is these ligaments that usually snap, leading to a kink in the tail. It's difficult (and usually not necessary) to fix the ligaments, so whilst the cat has a permanently bent tail this is something they can live with. -
QuestionWhy is my cat's tail hanging limp?Pippa Elliott, MRCVSDr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years. In addition, Dr. Elliott is a freelance veterinary copywriter specializing in taking dense topics and making them easy to digest. Her clients include The Webinar Vet, PetPlan US, TIME, and other top-ranked blogs. She also works with Improve International as a developmental editor for veterinary textbooks. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery.
VeterinarianLimp tails are usually the result of either pain and inflammation (such as a bite from another cat or an abscess) or nerve damage. The most common causes of nerve damage are either a pull injury, where something tugged on their tail, or a traffic accident. -
QuestionWhat happens if a cat loses its tail?Pippa Elliott, MRCVSDr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years. In addition, Dr. Elliott is a freelance veterinary copywriter specializing in taking dense topics and making them easy to digest. Her clients include The Webinar Vet, PetPlan US, TIME, and other top-ranked blogs. She also works with Improve International as a developmental editor for veterinary textbooks. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery.
VeterinarianCats use their tail for balance and to signal to each other. Cats do just fine after the loss of their tail, but it takes a little time for them to adapt and become more confident on their paws. -
QuestionDoes grabbing a cat by the tail hurt them?Pippa Elliott, MRCVSDr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years. In addition, Dr. Elliott is a freelance veterinary copywriter specializing in taking dense topics and making them easy to digest. Her clients include The Webinar Vet, PetPlan US, TIME, and other top-ranked blogs. She also works with Improve International as a developmental editor for veterinary textbooks. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery.
VeterinarianYes, it does. Never grab a cat by the tail! Pulling on a cat's tail also pulls on the end of the spinal cord, which is where the nerves for the bladder and bowel come off the spine. Damage in this area leads to fecal and urinary incontinence, with obviously serious implications. -
QuestionHow long does it take a cat's tail to heal?Pippa Elliott, MRCVSDr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years. In addition, Dr. Elliott is a freelance veterinary copywriter specializing in taking dense topics and making them easy to digest. Her clients include The Webinar Vet, PetPlan US, TIME, and other top-ranked blogs. She also works with Improve International as a developmental editor for veterinary textbooks. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery.
VeterinarianA skin injury may take around 7 — 14 days, provided it isn't infected. Broken bones take on average 4 weeks to mend. However, the bones may not heal in a straight line so any 'kink' in the tail may be permanent. -
QuestionIf the tail is limp from the spine but the tip is still moving, could it just be a sprain?Pippa Elliott, MRCVSDr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years. In addition, Dr. Elliott is a freelance veterinary copywriter specializing in taking dense topics and making them easy to digest. Her clients include The Webinar Vet, PetPlan US, TIME, and other top-ranked blogs. She also works with Improve International as a developmental editor for veterinary textbooks. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery.
VeterinarianIt's great that the tip is moving because this is an encouraging sign that there's no nerve damage. The most likely explanation is that pain or swelling at the base of the tail is inhibiting the cat from raising it. The commonest reason for this is a bite or abscess.
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