What to do if a cat's tail is broken

A cat needs a tail not for beauty, it is a kind of "steering wheel" that allows to coordinate movements, to keep balance on uncomfortable surfaces, and to descend from heights. Veterinarians often solve the problem of a fractured tail in a cat. It is impossible to ignore the pathological condition: injuries to the vertebrae and nerve fibers can provoke complications. Having identified a fracture in the pet, the owner should immediately contact the veterinary clinic.

Fractured tail in a cat

The tail of cats is not only intended for decoration, but is also an important part of the body, which has its own functional value. It happens that, as a result of injuries, a tail fracture occurs. Damage to the structural integrity of the spinal cord leads to pinched nerve endings, ruptured blood vessels and muscles.

If you notice that a pet is bending its tail unnaturally, the owner should see a veterinarian to determine the exact cause of the injury and to provide the necessary care.

Common causes of fractures

The caudal process in members of the feline family, is an extension of the vertebral column. It has in its structure small vertebrae, a system of blood vessels and nerve fibers.

Tail injuries such as bruises, sprains, wounds, sprains or fractures have a negative effect not only on the general condition of the animal, causing discomfort and pain. But it may also cause temporary disability of the cat's ability to jump from a height or balance on narrow surfaces.

Tail fracture in a cat is an injury that occurs at home when the cat's tail is stepped on, doors slammed shut or the cat falls from the balcony. Tail vertebrae injuries in cats also occur during outdoor showdowns with other congeners during fights.

In addition, as a result of hunting instinct (when chasing a bird), cats are able to climb to a great height. Falling from a tree or the roof of a high-rise building, the animal can get not only bruises, but also fractures, as well as injuring internal organs.

It is not uncommon for a tail fractionation to be caused by vehicles hitting the animal. Cats get hit by cars not only on busy highways, but also in the yards of residential buildings due to inattentive drivers.

Complications of fracture of the caudal process and vertebrae located there, fraught with not only pain, but also paralysis of the tail.

Not timely referral to a veterinarian leads to impaired control of the acts of defecation and urination. This is due to the fact that the vertebrae in the caudal region are riddled with nerve fibers extending from the muscle fibers of the anus and bladder to the urethra.

Symptoms: how to determine if there is a problem

That a cat has a problem with its tail will be visible to the naked eye. At the site of the injury, you will see a fracture or an unnatural bend. Also often with injuries the innervation of the tail is disturbed and the animal is not able to move its injured part.

The main signs of possible problems with the cat's tail are:

• Visually noticeable fracture or compromised integrity;
• pain when trying to touch the animal;
• signs of bite marks, trauma or the appearance of infection on the tail;
• clearly visible inflammation and fever, which can be detected even by simple touching;
• the injured part of the tail is swollen and puffy;
• the tail hangs unnaturally;
• open trauma, in which the bones are gaping;
• paralysis;
• Problems with the motor function of the legs are noticeable;
• Toilet problems (either urinary or fecal incontinence appears, or the cat cannot defecate by itself).

Examination by a specialist will help to understand if there is a fracture or we are talking about a simple bruise

How to distinguish a fracture from a tail bruise

Tail fracture in a cat is accompanied by the presence of severe pain. At any attempt to feel the tail she will start to yell and vomit, while with a normal bruise this does not happen.

In addition, a fracture and damage to the integrity of the vertebrae clearly shows the deformation of a certain part, which is not observed with a bruise.

FYI! Contusions occur much less frequently than fractures, because the vertebrae in the animal's tail are very delicate and are easily damaged by severe compression.

Symptoms and Diagnosis

If the owner suspects damage to the tail of his pet, it is necessary to immediately find out how serious the problem is, whether it is really a perlom. Knowing the basic symptoms of a fractured tail will allow the owner to react adequately:

1. The organ at the place of possible injury will be bent. Depending on the strength of the injury, the depth of the bend will depend. If the perlomus is actually present, there will be a fracture of the tail.
2. The tissues around the affected area will be swollen.
3. The presence of a bleeding wound.
4. Any touching of the injured part will cause severe pain to the animal.
5. Increased temperature of the injured organ and the whole body.

After the injury, the owner should observe the cat, because not always a fracture of the tail is accompanied by its obvious bending. He may look smooth, but the fact that the injury is serious will talk about the behavior of the pet and various signs.

The gait of the cat will definitely change: it becomes uneven, wobbly. The tail will drag unnaturally on the ground. If the injury is very severe, even the hind legs may fail. The cat may behave aggressively as the injury causes him severe pain.

The cat may have involuntary urination, sometimes uncontrolled excretion of feces. But such symptoms do not always indicate that the cat's tail is broken. It is possible if the spine is damaged.

If it is confirmed that the pet has a broken tail, he needs urgent hospitalization in a veterinary clinic. Doctors will use x-rays to diagnose and prescribe the necessary treatment. In complicated cases, if the pet's tail injury has led to paralysis, an MRI, ultrasound and blood tests may be performed. Also, if the clinic has such a service, an electromyography is prescribed. This is a method by which to determine how well the nerve impulses pass through the muscles and peripheral nerves, that is, determine the severity of the injury.

Treatment of a fracture

If the cat's tail is broken, the owner should by no means try to straighten it out by pulling it. This way the problem will only worsen, because the tail has nerve endings and tendons that can be easily torn. Not calculating the force, pulling can dislodge the organs that are in close proximity to the beginning of the tail and connected with it.

Depending on the severity of the injury, the condition of the animal, the diagnosis and will be assigned adequate treatment of fracture of the tail in the cat.

A fracture at the tip itself usually does not require any intervention, as it is the easiest type of injury. As a rule, the disease goes away on its own without a trace. Sometimes a small bump remains in the place of the fracture, which does not affect anything, except for the beauty.

If the fracture is open, with a bleeding wound, it is necessary to:

• Treat and rinse the wound with disinfectant solutions, possibly with alcohol-containing solutions, if it is small – all of it. For a large laceration, only the edges of the wound should be treated with alcohol solutions. You should not pour it over the wound as it may cause painful shock to the cat. A chlorhexidine or betadine solution can be used for this purpose.
• If possible remove the hair around the wound by carefully cutting it off with sharp, disinfected scissors.
• If the animal is calm and there is no obvious fracture of the organ – gently put a sterile bandage on the wound.
• Urgently take the cat to a veterinary clinic for skilled care.
• For fractures with wounds, administer antibacterial medication orally to avoid infection.

When diagnosed with a "dead" tail, which is when a cat drags an organ that is completely immobilized, the veterinarian decides what to do next only after undergoing X-rays. In cases where the tail is completely paralyzed, but the animal retains normal motor ability and there is no damage to the spine, the organ is to be amputated completely. After a course of rehabilitation, the animal will return to normal life. Without this important part of the body, the quality of life of the cat will deteriorate significantly, but over time it will get used to it.

Types of fractures

Closed fracture of the tail. It differs in that the integrity of the soft tissues is preserved. There is no visual damage, but the cat experiences severe pain and loses the ability to control its tail. This type of fracture is usually diagnosed when it is pinched by a door and hit by a car.

Open tail fracture. It is immediately noticeable because the integrity of the skin is compromised and wounds are present. This type is most often diagnosed in a fight with other animals (such as dogs) and a fall from a great height.

Tail fracture. It occurs when the kitten's bone system is not yet fully formed. The vertebrae are bent because there is a lot of traumatic pressure. This form occurs when the tail is pulled back.

Regardless of the type of fracture, you should see a doctor immediately. Self-treatment is unacceptable!

Treatment: methods and effectiveness

What will be the treatment of the injury depends on the degree of damage and the location of the wound. If the fracture is diagnosed closer to the tip of the tail, then no serious surgical intervention will be required.

In the case where an open fracture is diagnosed, treatment will be more lengthy. It involves removal of bone fragments and severe bleeding. It needs to be stopped immediately because it poses a threat to the health and life of the pet.

Local anesthesia medications are used to remove the splinters and examine the shattered vertebrae. This will ensure the safety of the pet and prevent possible discomfort during the intervention.

To prevent infection from entering the body through the injury, the doctor will prescribe a course of antibiotic therapy.

Plaster

A cast is usually prescribed for fractures and severe dislocations of the caudal vertebrae. An alternative to a cast is the application of a fixation bandage. The cast is not very comfortable for the pet, so it is rarely used. Most often, veterinary clinics use fixation bandages placed directly on the pet's tail.

After the plaster or bandage is applied, a special collar will be required. On average, the duration of such treatment is about 21 days. In particularly severe cases, the duration of the fixation bandage is increased. Monitoring of healing with X-rays is a mandatory requirement.

Amputation

This is a radical method of treatment, which is rarely used. It is used only if there are special indications, which include tail paralysis or an open fracture at the very base of the tail. Surgery is performed under full anesthesia, so the pet will not feel pain or discomfort.

After the amputation, quite a long rehabilitation period will be required, taking 14 to 20 days. Possible consequences of the injury include the inability to go to the bathroom on their own. In this case, the owner will need to manually massage the bladder and assist the pet in emptying the bowels.

First Aid

In cases where it is not immediately possible to take the cat to the vet, you should try to help the cat yourself. The first thing to do is to clean the wound of impurities. For this purpose, boiled water or saline solution will do. It is very important that nothing gets into the wound, otherwise the risk of infection increases. Therefore, the hair around the wound should be carefully trimmed so as not to provoke the hairs to fall off.

The next step is to apply ointment to the edges of the wound. Levomecol, ichthyol or tetracycline ointment are suitable for this purpose. It is not necessary to rub the ointment inside the wound. A thick layer of ointment covers the injured surface with an oily film and prevents the necessary oxygen from entering.

After all these procedures, the wound is covered with a piece of soft and clean cloth and a bandage is applied. This step is usually the most difficult. It is important to fix the dressing in such a way that it does not block the access to air and at the same time does not squeeze important vessels of the tail. In addition, you need to avoid a situation where the cat throws the bandage off the injured area. If all these manipulations the owner may not be able to do by himself, one of the family members should be involved to help.

In the following days you should observe the condition of the tail and the behavior of the pet. If the dressing is moderately bloodstained, the healing process is normal and the owner only needs to change the dressing systematically. If the wound is oozing pus mixed with blood and there is an unpleasant smell, the cat should be taken immediately to the vet.

To prevent a situation in which the cat's tail is stuck, the owner should pay extra attention to his cat. Do not allow the pet to be injured by a closing door. Make sure that the tail of the cat is not injured while playing with other pets (cat, dog or puppy). Protect the pet from falls from heights, bumps and other dangers. Observance of these conditions is the key to the beauty and correct shape of the cat's tail.

What happens when a cat's tail breaks?

A cat's tail is an extension of the spine, consisting of vertebral bones, blood vessels, nerves and muscles. Although the spinal cord stops at the base of the tail, there are numerous nerves departing from it that continue its movement.

A cat's tail is usually active and agile and helps to keep its balance. It can also tell you the mood of the cat, for example, when he is irritated he swings his tail back and forth in anger. If the tail is pointing down, however, it means that something is wrong. Your cat may have a broken bone, sprained vertebrae, or a sprain. In all cases, the nerves and blood vessels in this area are often damaged, so don't delay a visit to the vet.

How do you know if your cat's tail is broken?

The most common sign of a broken tail is a sagging tail. But there may be additional signs, as some of the nerves at the base of the tail also control the hind legs, bladder and bowels:

● The cat may be restless and aggressive or, conversely, seeking a hiding place

Widened anal sphincter with or without diarrhea or fecal incontinence

Any of these symptoms are grounds for the cat to be examined by a veterinarian and for an examination. Some additional findings the doctor may notice include:

● A distended bladder that is relatively easy to decompress by hand (in other words, the bladder is very full but can be emptied by gently squeezing)

What should you do if your cat's tail is broken?

The first thing you need to do is help your cat stay calm. She may be frightened and in pain, so it is your responsibility to help her calm down. Make sure the pet is resting in a comfortable and cozy place, such as a bed, box or cat carrier. Speak in a quiet voice and pet your pet on the head to make him feel comfortable. Make sure there are no other stressors around the cat, such as loud noises, other pets or people, etc.

Now that your pet is a little calmer, you can visually observe the tail. Is it sluggish, swollen or bleeding? Observe any abnormal behavior in your cat. Is she crying or hiding? You should take all of this into consideration when you tell your vet what happened, as well as the symptoms your cat has. Do not touch the tail, as this can cause more pain or damage to the animal. If you need to touch an injured area, such as to stop bleeding, do so very carefully.

It is best to take your pet to a veterinarian as soon as possible so that the injury can be properly diagnosed with x-rays and treatment can begin.

How to Identify a Fracture

The owner will easily determine that the cat has a broken tail: visual changes are pronounced. The line of the vertebrae becomes curved, the surrounding soft tissues become inflamed, swollen. The caudal spine loses mobility, even if it is slightly injured, only in the upper part.

The owner notices negative changes in the pet's behavior. The animal becomes nervous, does not allow itself to be touched, cries out at the slightest physical contact.

Basic symptoms

In cats, as in all long-tailed animals, the fracture is manifested by the "dead tail" effect. The pet can not lift the tail, waving it in different directions. It hangs involuntarily, which negatively affects the physical agility and coordination of movements of the animal.

With a severe fracture, the situation is aggravated by reduced sensitivity and even paralysis of the hind limbs.

• Clearly visible fracture of the vertebral line;
• intense pain;
• noticeable damage and reddening of the skin;
• soft tissue rupture in the open form of fracture with bone fragments protruding outward;
• hyperthermia, swelling of the organ;
• sagging of caudal spine, low muscle tone;
• thickening of the vertebral line on palpation;
• unnatural softening of caudal tissues in case of accession of purulent infection and abscess;
• lameness, decreased sensitivity of the hind limbs;
• paralysis of caudal nerves;
• impaired defecation and urination;
• blood in the urine.

In addition to the above symptoms, tail fracture is accompanied by general malaise. If the cat is injured, his appetite worsens, muscle tone weakens, apathy and drowsiness arise.

If the vertebral fracture is clearly visible, but there is no softening and inflammation of tissues or pain, then either the fracture is old, long healed, or the kitten has had an anatomical defect since birth.

Classification of a fracture

Veterinarians have to deal with the following types of fractures:

1. Closed. The soft tissues surrounding the spinal cord are inflamed but remain intact. There are no tears, but the cat suffers from intense pain and cannot coordinate movements. A closed fracture is most often the result of intense pressure on the caudal vertebrae: being pinched by a door leaf, being hit by a car.
2. Open. You can understand that the cat has a fracture at a glance: the integrity of the skin and soft tissue is broken. Fragments of bone stick out of the wound. An open fracture is usually a consequence of a cat fight, a dog attack, a fall from a height.
3. Fracture. Observed in kittens. Unformed and immature vertebrae are difficult to fracture under intense pressure and bend with the formation of minor cracks. A fracture is usually the result of children's antics. Young children squeeze a kitten's tail without realizing the consequences.

How to distinguish a fracture from a bruise

If a cat has a fracture, severe pain is inevitable. If you touch the tail, the cat screams and tries to hide. When bruised, the pain is much weaker, gradually fading, so this behavior is not characteristic of the animal.

Contusions in cats are rarer than fractures. Feline caudal vertebrae are thin, easily injured by strong physical impact.

With an open fracture, the integrity of the bone and soft tissue is compromised, which can be seen with the naked eye. In a contusion, the tissues remain intact.

Causes of tail fractures

External factors lead to vertebral injuries, so street cats suffer from fractures more often, in particular, falling under the wheels of the car.

Pets, with careful handling of the owners, though not immune to this trouble, suffer from fractures of this part of the body much less frequently. For example, for most kids pulling the tail of a cat is a favorite pastime. Meanwhile, cats react nervously and even aggressively when people touch this organ, needless to say, the trauma causes them great discomfort and painful sensations. That's why it is so important to explain to kids that he just stroking the fur with a pet nothing bad will happen, but dragging the animal's tail in any case can not happen.

Sometimes, the owners, trying to reason with the restless pet, slap him on the "soft spot," but, not having calculated the force of the blow, damage to the vertebrae. Or, as very often, the inquisitive and playful animal simply gets under the feet of man, fracture of the tail – the natural result of such pranks. But the most common source of injury is the door. The cat leaves the object of its pride in the doorway, and the owner, without noticing it, closes the door tightly.

A fracture can also occur as a result of a fight with another animal, less often an insect bite.

Symptoms of tail fracture

It is easy to notice the changes that have occurred to the organ visually: previously straight tail becomes bent and increases in volume. It is difficult for the cat to move the tail, even if only its upper part is damaged. The behavior of the pet also changes, it becomes irritable, screams and hides from the owner.

• A fracture in the tail;
• severe pain;
• tearing, through which bone fragments are visible (in the case of an open fracture);
• signs of biting and skin damage;
• the organ is hot to the touch;
• redness, swelling, excessive softness of the tail (in abscess and suppuration);
• the tail, not supported by muscles, hangs, the cat is not able to lift it up;
• easily palpable thickening;
• lameness, numbness of hind limbs;
• incontinence of urine and feces;
• blood in the urine;
• Bleeding (in severe cases);
• paralysis of the tail.

As we can see, the symptomatology may vary depending on the severity of the injury.

Owners should pay attention to the following fact: if the tail clearly shows a bend, but the place of the bend is solid, and the cat feels no pain when touching it, then this defect is congenital, or the fracture has healed on its own.

The first thing inexperienced cat lovers try to do if a cat's tail is to straighten it. This manipulation will only worsen the situation, as it is possible to damage the functioning of not only the organ itself, but also the hind legs, intestines, and bladder. Moreover, this action can cause uncontrolled arterial bleeding and, as a consequence, death.

How to treat a cat's damaged tail

Contributor(s): Pippa Elliott, MRCVS. Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and treating companion animals. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in Veterinary Medicine and Surgery. Has worked in the same animal clinic in her hometown for more than 20 years.

Number of sources used in this article: 10. You will find a list of them at the bottom of the page.

Cats often get into trouble, whether they live at home or on the street. Not surprisingly, it's not uncommon for them to suffer a variety of injuries, including tail damage. If your pet, when he comes home, can't lift his tail or it is visibly curved, then his tail is damaged or even broken. There may be an open wound, blood or protruding bone on the tail. Most often the tails of cats injure themselves as a result of being crushed (if they fall from a high place or if their tail is stuck by a door), being pulled (when the tail is stuck somewhere or has been grabbed and the cat tries to get out) or both. [1] X Source of information Lussier, Bertrand: Tail Paralysis. In Cote, E. (ed): Clinical Veterinary Advisor: Dogs and Cats Ed 1 St., St. Petersburg. Louis, Elsevier, 2007, pp 1063-1064. Having determined that the cat has a broken tail, provide the necessary care.

Detecting a Fractured Tail

• If your cat has a crooked tail and it feels hard and does not hurt, she may have been born with a crooked tail or the tail may have been broken early and healed.
• Under no circumstances do not pull or try to straighten the tail, as it contains fragile tendons and sensitive nerves. If you pull or push on the tail, you risk disrupting the proper functioning of the tail itself, as well as the hind legs, bladder and intestines. Such careless actions can also cause uncontrolled arterial bleeding that can be fatal.

• The veterinarian will examine the tail, paying attention to any signs of physical or neurological damage. If the doctor suspects nerve damage, an electromyography may be ordered to check for nerve impulses through the sphincter of the anus and tail muscles. This will help determine if the injury is treatable.
• The cat may still be in pain when you visit the veterinarian. Stay close to your pet, reassuring him or her. To get the cat to the doctor, gently wrap it in a towel and place it in a portable cage. This will calm the animal down. [6] X Source of Information