Purrs In Our Hearts - Cat Forum UK
Cat Health & Behaviour => Health & Behaviour General => Topic started by: Kemixx on September 28, 2008, 23:34:41 PM
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Hi all. Just signed up for some help and advice on my cat. This evening I noticed my cats tail was hung down and not up like usual. When I usually stroke her from head to tail she usually lifts her tail up in the air, but she doesn't seem to be at the moment. I was slightly concerned so did some research and a lot of results popped up about broken tails. The only difference is, she can still move her tail and whatnot, it's just not as strong as usual. She's not acting any different and i've been playing with her and she's been rolling around etc fine. She's not gone off her food because I just fed her and unlike usual she'd lift her tail when I got the food out but she couldn't today. I've felt her tail and she doesn't appear to have any lumps or anything throughout the legnth of the tail. She's not feeling any pain or discomfort when I put pressure on any part of the tail either. When she way lieing down earlier with her tail close to her back legs, if I dragged her tail from her to a horizontal position i could feel her pulling it back and when I let go she could spring it back to her. She can also move the tip of the tail like usual. Could it simply be that she's hurt it? When she ran down the staris before feeding her i noticed she was lifting it off the ground, almost horizontal. it'd usually be in the air, but at least she could lift it a good amount. the tail feels really light to lift when she's standing and she does notice me holding it.
Any suggestions/advice would be great. If she's not recovered any more by the time i get back from work tomorow I think i'm going to call the vet. Sorry for any spelling mistakes. Writing this before going to bed so half asleep.
here's a picture of her stance:
(http://img217.imageshack.us/img217/6636/picturesp3.jpg)
Many thanks,
Ben
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:welcome: to Purrs
I would definately let your vet look at the tail tomorrow, just to rule out any problems or impending problems.
She.........whats her name?.........may not be able to feel her tail properly , hence no reaction when you tested it. Think its probably good news that she can move it but we are not vets and you definately need a vets opinion.
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She's called Henry. Long story. We thought it was a male at first but we continue to call her Henry. The neighbours call her henrietta but that's too much of a mouthful for me lol.
She does react because she pulls away like usual if I gently hold on to it.
Forgot to mention she also got stomped on about 5 years ago and came home with a broken leg. Vet said it wasn't a car which is and was disturbing. Her leg is pinned and plated so can't tuck it in when she its diown. This has never caused her any pain, discomfort or problems though ever. Just my wallet. Just thought i'd mention that although I don't think it'll relate at all to this tail issue.
Not sure how i'd cope if the tail were to be amputated. She's a beautiful cat and I hate to see cats without tails.
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it doesnt sound like the tail will need amputating but cats do very well without them.
only a vet will be able to advise and hope that henry will be fine.
i know about probs when cats sex changes lol, luckily mine had a bisexual name :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:
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i would take her to the vets regardless, and surprised she still has pins in her leg, one of my bridge babes had been hit by a car and her pin was left in, it caused major issues later in life for her, so I would get them to check that.
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I would take her to the vet for a check up anyways and see what they say... better to be safe than sorry!
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Booked in for 10.10am tomorow as she hasn't improved. Will let you know what the results are.
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Just caught up with this. I have no idea what could be causing this problem of Henry's, but I hope it will be easily treated and will be interested to hear what the vet's opinion is. Good luck!
:welcome: to Purrs, by the way: glad you found us.
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Hi and :welcome: to Purrs,
Glad to Henry is going to see the vet ... fingers crossed it's nothing serious ... she is beautiful :Luv2:
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best of luck with the vet visit
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:welcome: to Purrs
It could be something like a fracture which would reduce movement and feeling but may still give her some degree of movement.
One of my cats, Dino, got an abscess in his tail from a bite wound last year. It healed but then he fractured it in the same spot. As it was towards the end of the tail it wasn't immediately apparent and I only found out after taking him into the vet to check him over following unusual urinating behaviour. It was until she actually shaved his tail that we could see the tail was the problem and that there was necrosis in part of it. Long story short he had about 1/3 of the tail amputated but has gone from strength to strength since.
Dino's case is just enough to make me suggest a vet visit and a thorough check of the tail, perhaps including shaving it. Dino's did look fine whilst the thick fur was still on it.
Good luck with the vet visit and Henry is lovely.