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 ) 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!