Tail Chopped Off...help!!

[KIM0024]

Any one else have this problem?? We have a neighborhood cat that we have sort of adopted. We started feeding him and he became ours. He is inside 1/2 the time and out the rest. We keep a litter box just in case he is inside during the day and needs it. He rarely uses the box though.

The problem is that he came home the other day with the end of his tail chopped off. All you could see is the "grissel" inside the tail with maybe an inch missing. We are not sure if he got it caught in a door or got in a fight or what. Anyways we have been putting neosporine on it daily. Has anyone else had this problem and have suggestions??

We can't really afford to take it to a vet because we have a dog that has lots of medical problems and spend too much already. It may seem cruel but my husband would kill me if I started taking this cat to the vet after all the "dog" bills we have encountered.

Any suggestions would be helpful??

[sasvermont]

Sounds like a visit to the vet is in order.

[Equus217]

I'd have to agree....sounds like he needs antibiotics. Maybe your vet will work with you...bill you or something and let you make payments?

[lizzielou742]

I would take it to the vet before it gets infected, and to help him with any pain it could be causing him. Can the vet set you up on a payment plan? He really should go to the vet. Good luck. :)

[wolflady]

Hi Kim and welcome to Pet talk. Poor kitty. How does the tail look right now after your treatments of neosporin? I asked my vet about this for you and he said that the only thing they could really do would be to clean it up and treat it as an open wound and probably give an antibiotic just to be safe.
As long as it doesn't smell bad or look like there's an infection going on, it should be able to heal ok. Of course it's always a good idea to have a vet check it out, but if kitty doesn't seem to be having any problems and if it looks like it's healig ok...then just keeping it clean is the best course of action.
What did you name this kitty? So glad you took him in:)
**hugs**

[KIM0024]

Hi Wolflady

Thanks for your reply. The wound seems to be healing even though it has only been 3 days. It doesn't look as raw as it did. He acts the same as he always did...not like he is in pain or I would have already taken him to the vet. I can't see letting an animal suffer.

We just call him "kitty". How original...right??

My dog just loves him and he keeps him company during the day. They chase each and play and then take a nap together. I have never seen anything like it before.

[moosmom]

If the "grissel" is exposed, than believe me, he's in pain. That's a very sensitive part of a cat, his tail. When that happens, the nerves are also exposed, making it very painful.

Please, get him to a vet. Maybe the vet will help your financial situation by making payment arrangements. Don't let him suffer.

[carole]

I have to agree with Donna, and I also understand what its like to be financially struggling, like she suggested you may be able to set up a payment plan, kitty's tail could be broken, in which case it will need amputation, I would also imagine Kitty would be in some degree of pain, GOOD LUCK.

[jenluckenbach]

This EXACT thing happened to my (RB) Amanda. She received an injury to the end of her tail (God know how :confused: ) But it needed treatment badly. She actually ended up with the end amputated. It would NOT heal on its own.

Your case may be different, but if hair or dirt heals INSIDE the wound it will never properly heal.

[leslie]

Welcome!
I'm concerned that this was deliberate! did it look like a clean cut? If not, are there racoons that could have fought with him? (is he not nuetered so likely to fight?) If he's nuetered, and it looks like a wild animal did it (well nuetered or not i suppose, you might want to watch out for signs of rabies but don't get over alarmed about it either. It's way less prevelent than the health dept would lead you to believe. Just be on awares, that's all. If it looks like a human did it, do you have any idea who?
Any way a shelter would take him? (you'll have to wait till he heals now or he'll be quarenteened). Well, the 1st and best thing is to get an antibiotic, maybe your vet doesn't even need to see him. If it's too costly, ask your vet for the number to a rescue group that can get you a vet visit and meds at a discount rate. They are out there. Keep us posted.

[Jods]

Maybe call the vet and see what they say.... Maybe they can cut you a deal or something it's woth a try... Better to be safe then sorry, i'm sure most vets understand about money and all that... When my kirby was sick we couldn't pay right away so we just paid bit by bit... You already have a dog with medical problems so at least they would know your good for the money and wouldn't take off... Who knows maybe the vet will say the cat will heal on his own... Does he have his shots??

[KIM0024]

WELL, AFTER THREE WEEKS OF NOT HEALING I HAVE DECIDED TO TAKE "KITTY" TO THE VET. I WAS TOLD THAT THE TAIL WOULD NEED TO BE "DOCKED" BECAUSE THE END WAS DEAD AND WOULD PROBABLY NEVER HEAL. DOES THIS SOUND RIGHT TO ANYONE??

THE VET DID GIVE ME THE "GOOD SAMARITAN" DISCOUNT" BECAUSE THE CAT WAS A STRAY AND KNOCKED 50% OFF THE BILL. I COULD HAVE KISSED HIM. "KITTY" HAS AN APPT TO GO IN TOMORROW TO HAVE THE PROCEDURE COMPLETED. THANKS FOR ALL OF YOUR REPLIES AND HELPFUL HINTS.

[AmberLee]

Three cheers for the vet! I'm impressed.

[carole]

Yes I think this would be a pretty normal procedure, under the circumstances, don't worry Kitty will do fine, I have been through this with my own cat lexie, although only needing a short amount of her tail amputated, it went very well, and the healing process was very quick, this is the best outcome for the cat I think, and kitty will be back to normal in no time. GOOD LUCK,and yes I am impressed with that vet too, obviously he/she is more into caring for animals than making money.:)

[Karen]

As was said, the "docking" is quite normal for a cat with a badly injured tail. They often adjust faster than you'd think, too. It's so good the vet was agreeable, and that Kitty-Dude will get the care he needs!

[wolflady]

That's great that the vet gave you a deal on this procedure! Since it wasn't healing, that was the best thing to do. I had a cat in my backyard with the same problem, but it healed up with home-treatment. It sounds like your Kitty had it much worse. I'm glad that he's going to be ok and his tail will be taken care up!

Orchids to your nice vet! :D
**hugs**

[kimlovescats]

Great news, and a pat on the back to your vet! Please keep us updated on Kitty ... and pictures would be great!;)

[felinefanatic]

Your story concerned me, I too wondered if it was deliberate? I am so happy to hear you took him to the vet, I had a feeling it was not going to heal on its own. I understand how difficult it can be to pay for vet visits I have had to get help from rescue agencies ,loans from friends,what ever it took to help my cats!! Sounds like you found yourself a very understanding vet, please keep us informed about "kitty's" poor little tail.;) ;)

[KIM0024]

KITTY IS HOME NOW AND FINE...JUST A LITTLE GROGGY. I FEEL SO MUCH BETTER GETTTING THIS TAKEN CARE OF FOR HIM. YOU JUST NEVER KNOW IF THEY ARE IN PAIN OR NOT.

I AM NOT SURE ABOUT THIS BEING DONE DELIBERATELY OR NOT...I KNOW THERE ARE VERY MEAN PEOPLE OUT THERE!
BEING AN OUTSIDE/INSIDE CAT I GUESS THERE IS A CHANCE. HOWEVER, I AM MORE INCLINED TO THINK HE GOT IN A FIGHT WITH AN ANIMAL. WE HAVE FOUND VARIOUS DEAD ANIMALS AT OUR DOORSTEP.....BIRDS(INCLUDING PIGEONS), MICE AND EVEN A SQUIRREL!!!!!!!! HE MAY HAVE GOTTEN INTO IT WITH A BIGGER ANIMAL THAN HE COULD HANDLE!!!!!

REST ASSURED I WILL KEEP MY EYE OUT THOUGH!!!!!!!!!!

[leslie]

Is he nuetered? Someone I know (not a friend) never bothered to nueter or vaccinate her male cat- he came home one night obviously having been in a fight with another animal. She did nothing. The next time it happened, he was so mauled up (ripped apart) he had to be put down. Now she is having the series of rabies shots (at own expense- ins. won't cover). Unnuetered males fight. And if there is no proof of rabies, at least in MA, the health dept will recommend the shots and euthanasia. (at minimum, if the pet survives a wound of unknown origin, the law here says they must be quarenteened for a minimum of 6 months. When shelters take in strays with absesses, it is very hard to find a home willing to adopt a pet with these conditions, they usually end up caged in the shelter the duration of the required 6 months... Anyway, glad he's all better and you too!!! Is he yours now????

[KIM0024]

YES. THE VET DID TELL ME WHEN I TOOK HIM IN FOR THIS TAIL PROCEDURE THAT HE COULD TELL HE HAD BEEN NEUTERED. YES. HE IS DEFINATELY OUR CAT....HE SLEEPS AT THE FOOT OF OUR BED EVERY NIGHT NOW (SNUGGLED UP WITH OUR 90 LB LAB). I GUESS HE GOT LUCKY WHEN HE CAME TO OUR DOORSTEP BECAUSE I HAVE TOO MUCH HEART FOR ANIMALS. (I COULD DO WITHOUT THE HAIR ON EVERY ITEM OF FURNITURE I OWN BUT I GUESS THAT IS ALL PART OF IT).

I AM GOING TO WAIT A FEW WEEKS UNTIL HE IS FEELING BETTER AND TAKE HIM IN FOR VACCINATIONS. ANY IDEA WHAT SHOTS ARE JUST NECESSITY AND WHICH ARE NOT?? I FEEL THAT SOMETIMES THE VETS PUSH THINGS THAT ARE NOT NECESSARY JUST TO MAKE MONEY OFF YOU.

[QueenScoopalot]

Originally posted by KIM0024
YES. THE VET DID TELL ME WHEN I TOOK HIM IN FOR THIS TAIL PROCEDURE THAT HE COULD TELL HE HAD BEEN NEUTERED. YES. HE IS DEFINATELY OUR CAT....HE SLEEPS AT THE FOOT OF OUR BED EVERY NIGHT NOW (SNUGGLED UP WITH OUR 90 LB LAB). I GUESS HE GOT LUCKY WHEN HE CAME TO OUR DOORSTEP BECAUSE I HAVE TOO MUCH HEART FOR ANIMALS. (I COULD DO WITHOUT THE HAIR ON EVERY ITEM OF FURNITURE I OWN BUT I GUESS THAT IS ALL PART OF IT).

I AM GOING TO WAIT A FEW WEEKS UNTIL HE IS FEELING BETTER AND TAKE HIM IN FOR VACCINATIONS. ANY IDEA WHAT SHOTS ARE JUST NECESSITY AND WHICH ARE NOT?? I FEEL THAT SOMETIMES THE VETS PUSH THINGS THAT ARE NOT NECESSARY JUST TO MAKE MONEY OFF YOU.

He should always get a rabies shot, and FVRCP (this is to prevent colds, and distemper). Never allow a vet to give your cat the FIV shot, as it causes the animal to test positive. FeLV is optional. Glad you had the guy taken care of, and nice of the vet to take 50% off! :eek:

[carole]

What a lovely happy ending to this story, I am so pleased you decided to keep kitty, he deserves a loving home, and great he gets on so well with your dog.

kitty will now be unique with his special new tail, how is it healing? and I forgot did you name kitty? Are you able to post pics of kitty?

[Equus217]

Yippee!! I am so happy to hear that you got Kitty to the vet ok, AND the vet gave you a discount!!

Such a happy ending, now Kitty can get to feeling 100% and enjoying his new loving home!:D

Oh....we are all very patiently waiting for pictures of your new little bunny butt!:rolleyes:

[Medusa]

Hi there,
I'm soooo glad you took 'kitty' to the vet. My first rescue, Peeka, was similarly injured, though more severely than your kitty to be sure. Some kids had tried to skin her alive and they managed to get all the fur off her tail down to the gristle except for the very tip. And they broke her tail, too. Plus they cut her in between her toes and she still has nerve damage on her left foot.

At the time, she belonged to my neighbor and I commented to her that I hadn't seen the cat in several days. She didn't seem concerned about it but I was and my son and I searched for her during a bitter cold December. After being missing for nearly a week, my son found her hiding behind our air conditioning unit, blood everywhere. He picked her up and yelled for me and we took her to the emergency clinic because it was a Sunday and my vet's office was closed. (My neighbor said "Hey, it's an outdoor cat. Let it go." I ended up taking her border collie, too, because she didn't want to deal w/injuries that the dog suffered from being attacked by another dog.) They treated her w/an antibiotic and covered her tail w/salve until I could get her in to my vet. She slept on my chest that night and, even though she was in so much pain, she purred and licked my face. When I took her to my vet the next morning, as soon as he saw her he said "The tail's got to come off, I'm sorry." I cried like a baby. He warned me that, because the tail was broken where it connected at the body, the surgery would be a delicate one, that he had to be careful not to cut into nerves that would prevent her from being able to use the litter box. And, if she survived the surgery, the infection had been raging in her poor little body for a week and that alone might kill her.

BUT...she came through the surgery, wore an Elizabethan collar and every time she lowered her head to eat, the collar was so heavy that she toppled over! LOL So I had to hand feed her til she got the hang of wearing the collar. She was and still is adorable; she's my resident fat cat, doesn't like to do much but snooze in the sun. Y'know what? That's fine w/me. She's earned the right. She was only a little kitten when she went through that torture and this cat is my girl. She's 13 years old now and she lives in this crazy house w/her brother Boo and the rest of my fur posse and she loves it when I give her a "stub rub".

Bless you for taking 'kitty' in and bless the vet who helped you and gave you the discount. Your lives will be blessed over and over again because you extended yourselves and put "kitty" first.

Blessings,
M

[carole]

Medusa your story brought tears to my eyes, I cannot believe the cruelty this poor cat was objected to, those parents of those kids ,ought to be ashamed of themselves, you have to wonder what kind of adults they turned into , don't you?

Thank goodness your story has a happy ending too, and that you were the loving kind person you are to take her in, and have had so many wonderful years together, have you any pics of her to show us.?

I hope we can hear more about this particular kitty, have not seen or heard much since she went to the vet, anybody know ?

BTW WELCOME to PT Medusa.:)

[Medusa]

Hi Carole,
I do have some pix of Peeka but I'm embarrassed to say that I don't know how to include them in the post. Do I scan the pic first, then attach the file?

Blessings,
M

[carole]

Gosh don't feel embarrassed, I am no computer expert, I just have the pics saved to a file and then down the bottom of the thread, you will see attach file and browse, click on that and attach it, there is a better way, but don't ask me how, there are much better experts on here than me for sure lol.

[Medusa]

I tried but it didn't come through. Guess I'll have to get some help. Sorry. :confused:

[carole]

Best to ask Karen the moderator or post a new thread asking how, you will get tons of help, sorry I can't be too helpful, not too good at these things myself. Good luck.

[felinefanatic]

Medusa, your story broke my heart. I am so glad that their are kind souls out there like you!!!

And as for the kitty with the chopped tail, I hope your kitty has by now, made a full recovery!!:) :)