MY CAT BROKE HIS TAIL?!? HELP?!?

Question

Okay, I'll make a long story short:

Child A and Child B were playing (well, sort of). Child A ran into the bathroom, trying to get away from Child B, so slammed the door shut at fast as he could, but didn't realize our cat (very tiny and slender, not hard to miss) was going through. The cat gave a bloody murder scream so animated and violent I didn't think possible for a cat to vocalize, so was obviously in pain. The tail was in a *completely shut* door for no longer than 3 seconds (Child A had a delayed reaction as to who was actually screaming, and panicked trying to get the door unlocked). The about the 1/3 point near the end of the tail, it is bent, an likely snapped. The cat isn't being mean (surprisingly) but doesn't want to be comforted, and tries to get away if you hold him. He's sitting under the couch. I know there's probably not a cast you can put on a tail (just like if I broke my toe), but is there anything I can do to comfort him and soothe the pain until I can get him to the vet tomorrow morning? Also, it's not visibly cut or bloody, but should I do something to prevent it from getting infected? Also are there any 24 hour online (free) vet chats or something like that? Thanks.

Answer 1

Ouch - the poor cat.  If your vet can't be reached tonight, there are 24 hour emergency veterinarian hospitals.  Call the one closest to you and get the poor cat taken care of - don't wait until tomorrow.  The cat may cause more damage to the tail and depending on the severity of the break, could go into shock, which could be dangerous and possibly life threatening.    

Answer 2

My 12 year old son was jumping around and landed on the cats tail. I wasn't sure if it was broke or just hurting, she wouldn't lift it past a certain point and didn't want to be comforted either. Then she started chewing right at the place on the tail that was injured, it was getting infected and I thought she may chew her tail off. I took her to the vet and they  said that the tail is an extension of the cat's spine and they couldn't tail ir it was fractured or if it had nerve damage. They gave it a steroid shot and some antibiotics for where she had been chewing. They said if she didn't start moving it by Monday that they would need to amputate the tail because she would keep chewing at it and it would be a problem when she went to the litter box. Thankfully by sunday she was moving her tail and all was well.

It's not something that can't wait until the vet is open tomorrow.  I wouldn't rush to an expensive emergency clinic. After all my vet sent me home with the cat to watch it for a few days. He really couldn't do much, until we new for sure. I would watch it to make sure it doesn't start chewing it. Hopefully she will start moving it, if not the cat will probably need to get it amputated.

Answer 3

Is there a 24-hour vet you can take him to?  A cat's tail is its spinal cord. It's very, very painful, and there's no painkillers you can give him which will ease it that you could measure correctly without risking killing him.  The tail will need to be amputated as spinal cord can't heal on its own.  I *strongly* recommend you find a 24-hour vet to avoid any longer-term damage if you can, and just get your cat some pain relief.  Try the phone book, or calling a vet you know is closed to see if they have an out-of-hours emergency advice message.

My cat broke his tail in a similar door-jam accident a couple of years back but he's fine now and living a happy and fulfilling life with a stump, which he wiggles when he gets mad. It's very cute.

Answer 4

c**p

Answer 5

OMG why are you on the internet take your kitty to the vet now.

Answer 6

i would call your vet now, many have 24 hour service.

he is under the couch because he is in a lot of pain, they hide when in pain.

Answer 7

my Friend shut her kitten's tail in the door one time and broke his tail. i don't think they really did anything about it but his tail is bent at the end now. when a cat gets hurt it runs away and finds a place to hide so it can heal. i would let it hide intell you can get it to a vet.

Answer 8

take him to the vet asap

Answer 9

the cat is obviously in pain. So the best thing to do is maybe try not to provoke the cat, or stress the cat out more than he is already. If you haven't done so already, make a fairly flat bed for the cat. I big cushy bed will make the cat's tail in an uncomfortable position, so a flat mattress is better.

Um there is nothing you can really do until you get to the vet...leave the big business to the pro's otherwise you might make the problem worse then it is.

Keep those kids away from the cat and give the cat some space, as he is in alot of pain and is afraid that people around him might harm him even more.

Hope it all goes well

Gd Luck =]

btw i used to be a vet nurse!

Answer 10

Just take the cat to the vet first thing in the morning.The tail will likely have to be amputated,as it is very difficult to splint a tail.If the cat is old enough,you can go ahead and get him neutered at the same time.

Answer 11

I don't know of any vet chats, but most vets have an emergency number answering service. They will page the vet and when he calls you can ask him. Good luck.

Answer 12

Is there a room in the house where the cat feels comfortable? Maybe let him just be there alone, with some food, water, and a litter box close by.  He will pretty much just have to comfort himself, tonight.  But letting him rest and not have to go walking long distances for food, drink, and litter might be helpful in his finding some comfort.

Another option would be to make a little nest for him in the cat carrier.  Leave the door open for him to choose whether or not to go in.  But, that way, he will be familiar with the carrier, so that you can take him to the vet in the morning.

The vet will then be able to tell you what to do in the comfort department. He may or may not recommend a pain reliever for the kitty.  As well, he may or may not bandage the tail.

Poor kitty.

Answer 13

oh poor thing if you can not get to a vets google on line vet and some should come up at least this will ease your mind - but the local vet should have a 24 hrs service