Hi, My cat has just come in, with his tail just hangingand he can't move it. It doesnt appear to hurt him but there is an obvious lump near the base of it. there is no obvious signs of any trauma, like being hit by a car . A similar thing happened once before and the tail was fine the next day. Should I take him to the vet or give a few days and see if it recovers. He had a back leg amputated a couple of years ago, after being hit by a car. Any advice appreciated. Thankshttps://www.vetclickforum.co.uk/read.php?7,467,467#msg-467Sun, 31 May 2026 14:52:25 +0000 Phorum 5.2.23 https://www.vetclickforum.co.uk/read.php?7,467,27045#msg-27045 https://www.vetclickforum.co.uk/read.php?7,467,27045#msg-27045 Nikki Rookard Ask The VetTue, 15 Dec 2015 11:50:27 +0000 https://www.vetclickforum.co.uk/read.php?7,467,26675#msg-26675 https://www.vetclickforum.co.uk/read.php?7,467,26675#msg-26675
My 6 month old kitten shadow has got a limp tail, he can move the bottom 2 inches but it hangs limp afterwards. He doesn't have any swelling or lumps and doesn't walk funny. He plays as normal and he purrs when he's being stroked. It happened earlier today, he's been fed since and isn't off his food at all as he usually eats half his brothers food too and did the same this evening. I'm concerned about him and unsure what to do.

Joe]]> joe Ask The VetMon, 26 Oct 2015 21:59:21 +0000 https://www.vetclickforum.co.uk/read.php?7,467,26535#msg-26535 https://www.vetclickforum.co.uk/read.php?7,467,26535#msg-26535It's you that's not the smartest. If you have kids and I hope you don't, do you tell them to play in traffic as well?
We rescue and people like you should not be allowed to own living things. Try stuffed animals but remember not to leave them out in the rain.]]> Richard Ask The VetTue, 08 Sep 2015 23:33:34 +0000 https://www.vetclickforum.co.uk/read.php?7,467,26519#msg-26519 https://www.vetclickforum.co.uk/read.php?7,467,26519#msg-26519I have a kitty who was hit by a car 3 months ago. At first he couldn't walk due to a broken pelvis and he also has a broken tail at the base. 1 month ago he started to pee in his litter box. I saw him actually go inside it and pee. Prior this he would just leak a puddle onto the ground. Does him now using the litter box with control peeing mean he is improving? He still has dribbles at times onto the floor. Do I need to express his bladder if he is peeing on his own in the litter box? I'm worried if I do then I could potentially hinder his recovery progress? I'm not sure if expressing is required if a cat is able to even leak or pee on its own? I was told that he is likely leaking because his bladder is too full and he is not peeing it all out at one time so I should express it... But he was peeing puddles uncontrollably before. There never was an issue where nothing wouldn't come out on its own. He poops also in his litter box. No movement in tail, it will be amputated so he doesn't pee on it. Please help with your thoughts. Thank you. :)]]> Cat guru Ask The VetThu, 03 Sep 2015 04:44:31 +0000 https://www.vetclickforum.co.uk/read.php?7,467,26325#msg-26325 https://www.vetclickforum.co.uk/read.php?7,467,26325#msg-26325 Jeremy Ask The VetSun, 26 Jul 2015 17:01:37 +0000 https://www.vetclickforum.co.uk/read.php?7,467,22854#msg-22854 https://www.vetclickforum.co.uk/read.php?7,467,22854#msg-22854
A cat's tail can appear paralysed but actually not move due to the cat choosing to not move it much because actually it is very painful.. If that is the case for your cat he should be feeling much better by now and starting to move it more. You should go back to your vet if this is not happening. If there is a degree of nerve damage but no other serious injury, healing will happen but will take longer. As long as tail sensation is present the movement function should gradually return. I hope this is the case for Sid.]]> Cathy Wickenden Ask The VetMon, 23 Sep 2013 17:13:33 +0000 https://www.vetclickforum.co.uk/read.php?7,467,22851#msg-22851 https://www.vetclickforum.co.uk/read.php?7,467,22851#msg-22851
The most likely problem is a cat bite from another cat. Its very common for these to become infected and develop an abscess several days later, even when you thought it was healing. You are doing the right thing to keep checking it and monitoring his eating and drinking. You might be lucky and its healing but if he starts to show more discomfort or the tail lump swells, you should take him to a vet.]]> Cathy Wickenden Ask The VetMon, 23 Sep 2013 16:52:22 +0000 https://www.vetclickforum.co.uk/read.php?7,467,22827#msg-22827 https://www.vetclickforum.co.uk/read.php?7,467,22827#msg-22827
We went on holiday for about a week, but a few days before our cat Sid appeared to have had bit of a scrap or at least had what looked to be a scratch at the base of his tail on the top. We thought not much of it - he was licking it a bit, but seemed OK and the tail had strength. We went away for a week and my father fed the cat whilst we were gone. When we returned, the cat's tail was limp - though he was showing no obvious signs of pain. We took him to the vet straight away having read on other forums this was the best precaution, and he's had an injection and is on a course of anti-biotics. His tail hasn't sprung back into life yet (the vet said she was 95% certain he'd be back to normal in 5 days - it's been 3 now), and I'm wondering how long to give it before going back to the vets.

His tail is usually pretty alert, but it's odd how it's now completely limp. The vet couldn't detect any damage and he responded to a pinch on the tail, suggesting nerves are intact.

An infection which will go away and power return?

Any experiences welcome, as we're a little concerned what this will mean if he loses his tail completely. We're keeping him in whilst he's having his meds, but he does go outdoors (during the day anyway).

KInd regards,

Paul]]> Paulo Ask The VetMon, 16 Sep 2013 23:07:31 +0000 https://www.vetclickforum.co.uk/read.php?7,467,22822#msg-22822 https://www.vetclickforum.co.uk/read.php?7,467,22822#msg-22822
I was wondering if you could help? My cat came in yesterday and when picked up seemed to be in pain. When I stroked along his back and got to his tail he yelped and would not let me near his tail and I did feel a small lump in middle of tail. His tail is not dragging but is held up halfway and he is eating and drinking normally though when he tries to sit down for food his tail swishes from left to right as if cannot get comfortale to eat. I have stroked his tail today and he didnt cry so not sure what he has done? Didn't want to rush him to vet if not needed. Any help would be appreciated. Thank You.]]> Julie1967 Ask The VetSun, 15 Sep 2013 10:55:23 +0000 https://www.vetclickforum.co.uk/read.php?7,467,21820#msg-21820 https://www.vetclickforum.co.uk/read.php?7,467,21820#msg-21820
I think your cat most likely got bitten by another cat a couple of weeks ago. He certainly sustained an injury which was why he was showing pain. The hard lump that remains now may be scarring of the bony tail structure, there's not much flesh on a cats tail. As long as he's bright and eating and its not painful now when you touch him on the lump it is healing. If he can lift and use his tail normally then he's been lucky and is over the worst of the damage. If the tail is still painful or he starts to lick and chew at the area that indicates its still causing him trouble so you should get him checked by a vet.]]> Cathy Wickenden Ask The VetFri, 18 Jan 2013 15:22:25 +0000 https://www.vetclickforum.co.uk/read.php?7,467,21784#msg-21784 https://www.vetclickforum.co.uk/read.php?7,467,21784#msg-21784 yara Ask The VetSun, 13 Jan 2013 17:26:18 +0000 https://www.vetclickforum.co.uk/read.php?7,467,21725#msg-21725 https://www.vetclickforum.co.uk/read.php?7,467,21725#msg-21725
He could well need an amputation. If its a painful tail and he is soiling it, either of these two reasons would make him a likely candidate for that surgery. Presumably if you've adopted him with these known problems the rescue centre should be able to help with his treatment.]]> Cathy Wickenden Ask The VetThu, 03 Jan 2013 19:28:53 +0000 https://www.vetclickforum.co.uk/read.php?7,467,21689#msg-21689 https://www.vetclickforum.co.uk/read.php?7,467,21689#msg-21689 Bek Ask The VetSat, 22 Dec 2012 09:52:24 +0000 https://www.vetclickforum.co.uk/read.php?7,467,20310#msg-20310 https://www.vetclickforum.co.uk/read.php?7,467,20310#msg-20310 MarkRicher Ask The VetMon, 31 Oct 2011 10:18:50 +0000 https://www.vetclickforum.co.uk/read.php?7,467,20286#msg-20286 https://www.vetclickforum.co.uk/read.php?7,467,20286#msg-20286 leslye Ask The VetWed, 26 Oct 2011 10:21:24 +0000 https://www.vetclickforum.co.uk/read.php?7,467,20262#msg-20262 https://www.vetclickforum.co.uk/read.php?7,467,20262#msg-20262 MarkRicher Ask The VetMon, 24 Oct 2011 06:27:46 +0000 https://www.vetclickforum.co.uk/read.php?7,467,20261#msg-20261 https://www.vetclickforum.co.uk/read.php?7,467,20261#msg-20261he doesn't seem to be in pain and doesn't have problems using his litter box. Are there chiropractors for cats? If the x-ray clears OK? Would hate to have the end of the tail amputated..!]]> Jack Ask The VetMon, 24 Oct 2011 04:59:21 +0000 https://www.vetclickforum.co.uk/read.php?7,467,20166#msg-20166 https://www.vetclickforum.co.uk/read.php?7,467,20166#msg-20166 MarkRicher Ask The VetMon, 10 Oct 2011 04:15:23 +0000 https://www.vetclickforum.co.uk/read.php?7,467,20157#msg-20157 https://www.vetclickforum.co.uk/read.php?7,467,20157#msg-20157I have a cat also with a broken tail (kink in the bottom) and a sizeable gash at the beginning of the tail. It is an outdoor cat and is one of the family, could it possibly heal on its own, or does it need to be taken to the vet - will it get amputated?
Thanks!!]]> Tayjay Ask The VetFri, 07 Oct 2011 22:22:41 +0000 https://www.vetclickforum.co.uk/read.php?7,467,19900#msg-19900 https://www.vetclickforum.co.uk/read.php?7,467,19900#msg-19900 MarkRicher Ask The VetMon, 05 Sep 2011 06:46:48 +0000 https://www.vetclickforum.co.uk/read.php?7,467,19881#msg-19881 https://www.vetclickforum.co.uk/read.php?7,467,19881#msg-19881 Kayla Ask The VetTue, 30 Aug 2011 21:47:06 +0000 https://www.vetclickforum.co.uk/read.php?7,467,19870#msg-19870 https://www.vetclickforum.co.uk/read.php?7,467,19870#msg-19870 MarkRicher Ask The VetTue, 30 Aug 2011 18:00:15 +0000 https://www.vetclickforum.co.uk/read.php?7,467,19868#msg-19868 https://www.vetclickforum.co.uk/read.php?7,467,19868#msg-19868 Winney Ask The VetTue, 30 Aug 2011 17:57:47 +0000 https://www.vetclickforum.co.uk/read.php?7,467,19864#msg-19864 https://www.vetclickforum.co.uk/read.php?7,467,19864#msg-19864
If there is still pain the concern would be that there is a fracture or even that there is pelvic damage eg from a road accident so I would go back to your vet for an xray as this is more than a bite.

Kelly

This may well be a bite at the base of the tail or it could be a fracture so see your vet.]]> MarkRicher Ask The VetTue, 30 Aug 2011 17:16:43 +0000 https://www.vetclickforum.co.uk/read.php?7,467,19860#msg-19860 https://www.vetclickforum.co.uk/read.php?7,467,19860#msg-19860she yellped i thought nothing of it . then all day she has been real quiet and her tail which is her main feature as she is a maine coon is all limp hanging down she is not liking being touched . at first i thought she may be pregnant and going into labour but i am nw thinking different please help me!!!]]> kelly.H Ask The VetMon, 29 Aug 2011 19:29:49 +0000 https://www.vetclickforum.co.uk/read.php?7,467,19846#msg-19846 https://www.vetclickforum.co.uk/read.php?7,467,19846#msg-19846 Luckyowner Ask The VetSun, 28 Aug 2011 14:29:26 +0000 https://www.vetclickforum.co.uk/read.php?7,467,19811#msg-19811 https://www.vetclickforum.co.uk/read.php?7,467,19811#msg-19811 MarkRicher Ask The VetThu, 25 Aug 2011 18:46:59 +0000 https://www.vetclickforum.co.uk/read.php?7,467,19791#msg-19791 https://www.vetclickforum.co.uk/read.php?7,467,19791#msg-19791 Rachael houchen Ask The VetTue, 23 Aug 2011 09:29:25 +0000 https://www.vetclickforum.co.uk/read.php?7,467,19282#msg-19282 https://www.vetclickforum.co.uk/read.php?7,467,19282#msg-19282 MarkRicher Ask The VetWed, 29 Jun 2011 15:39:14 +0000 https://www.vetclickforum.co.uk/read.php?7,467,19268#msg-19268 https://www.vetclickforum.co.uk/read.php?7,467,19268#msg-1926824hrs later she is more responsive and eating, but has not drank or used the litter(placed nearby) or moved far from the spot on the couch where we found her, tho she stretches periodically. We woke her every hour last night as with a human concussion, and made her comfy, but as is often the case it seems, are a bit broke and would like to avoid a vet bill, particularly if it is not required, and also avoid the added trauma of the visit for the cat.]]> T Hunter Ask The VetSun, 26 Jun 2011 18:08:11 +0000