Purrs In Our Hearts - Cat Forum UK

Cat Health & Behaviour => Health & Behaviour General => Topic started by: Gatos on July 27, 2009, 20:58:58 PM

Title: Howie's Tail Injury
Post by: Gatos on July 27, 2009, 20:58:58 PM: Got a phone call from the cat sitter on our way back from a festival on Sunday to say Howie had hurt his tail. We got home and there was blood all over the bed where he had been sitting.

The vet had to amputate about 2 inches from his tail. Always best to get tail injuries checked by the vet - there may be underlying pelvic injuries. Anyway, he's OK but isn't allowed out for 10-14 days.

No idea how he done it - looks like the tip had got stuck in a door or something...

(http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a219/dz-015/043a.jpg)
Title: Re: Howie's Tail Injury
Post by: Gill (sneakiefeline) on July 27, 2009, 21:00:37 PM: Poor Howie, sending him lots of good vibes for a quick recovery :hug:
Title: Re: Howie's Tail Injury
Post by: Gatos on July 27, 2009, 21:05:11 PM: Thanks Gill - he said thanks with a wet nose bump...
Title: Re: Howie's Tail Injury
Post by: Gill (sneakiefeline) on July 27, 2009, 21:06:58 PM: My goodness what a wet nose ;D
Title: Re: Howie's Tail Injury
Post by: Wibblechick on July 27, 2009, 21:10:13 PM: Oh, poor Howie!! Still Gizmo, my Bridge-babe, lost all his tail and so has the beautiful Bonnie ... it makes no difference - he is going to continue to be a gorgeous chap :Luv2:
Title: Re: Howie's Tail Injury
Post by: Gatos on July 27, 2009, 21:15:18 PM: Quote from: Wibblechick on July 27, 2009, 21:10:13 PM
Oh, poor Howie!! Still Gizmo, my Bridge-babe, lost all his tail and so has the beautiful Bonnie ... it makes no difference - he is going to continue to be a gorgeous chap :Luv2:

Wibblechick, that's very reassuring that they can live a normal, happy life after a tail trauma. Thanks!
Title: Re: Howie's Tail Injury
Post by: Wibblechick on July 27, 2009, 21:27:24 PM: It takes a bit of time, because they need to learn how to balance all over again. :hug:

At first, Giz practiced jumping from one chair to another, then later, up onto the chairs themselves.

Howie is lucky, as he has most of his tail left.

We never did know what happend to Gizmo's tail .... He went missing for 10 days :'( When he returned, his tail was completely skinned :sick:

It looked as if someone had stuck a spare rib up his bum :shocked:

The vet reckoned it was either that he had been trapped by his tail, or that it had been run over - we never did find out, of course :)

Mr T and Chloe send big purrs to Howie, and Chloe has made him one of her special cakes :)
Title: Re: Howie's Tail Injury
Post by: Gatos on July 27, 2009, 21:44:48 PM: Quote from: Wibblechick on July 27, 2009, 21:27:24 PM
Mr T and Chloe send big purrs to Howie, and Chloe has made him one of her special cakes :)

Yum! Thanks!
Title: Re: Howie's Tail Injury
Post by: Tiggy's Mum on July 28, 2009, 00:25:58 AM: Poor Howie :care: :get well:
Title: Re: Howie's Tail Injury
Post by: Desley (booktigger) on July 28, 2009, 08:08:25 AM: Fingers crossed he copes with confinement well - I have fostered a Manx, the only thing my vet said was that other cats can't always read their body language due to lack of tail (and Rolo was a very dominant cat who liked to beat other cats up unfortunately!!)
Title: Re: Howie's Tail Injury
Post by: Gatos on July 28, 2009, 21:01:41 PM: I'm afraid he's not getting on too well with the confinement. He just sits in his bed and the protective collar is driving him mad. Every time he catches sight of his shaved tail stump, he totally freaks and runs around the house. Not sure if I should try to play with him??
Title: Re: Howie's Tail Injury
Post by: Gill (sneakiefeline) on July 28, 2009, 21:20:34 PM: Derfinately play with him and give him lots of attention :hug:

He probably is wondering what that is attached to him cos he cant get to iy=t and sniff it and understand its just his tail, poor boy :hug:
Title: Re: Howie's Tail Injury
Post by: Sam (Fussy_Furball) on July 28, 2009, 21:38:10 PM: Ahhh poor Howie ... Foxy, Zephyr and Rossi all send lots of kitty kisses and I'm sending a great big chin rub to him. Get well soon gorgeous.

I agree with Gill ... lots of attention, lots of TLC and lots of games to help stave off the boredom of being shut indoors.
Title: Re: Howie's Tail Injury
Post by: Wibblechick on July 28, 2009, 22:02:24 PM: He will be Ok :hug:

Gizmo looked like he had a Grade 1 haircut on his bum and the stitches made him look as if he was a chicken, stuffed and ready for the oven .... :'(

Lots of distraction and reassurance - try taking the collar off, letting him examine his tail and talking to him all the time :hug:

Mr T and Chloe send him purrs and gentle headbuts :)
Title: Re: Howie's Tail Injury
Post by: Desley (booktigger) on July 29, 2009, 08:19:59 AM: I would give him some supervised time off from the collar, I would be careful what games you play with him though, as he has just had an op and still has stitches, so you want to make sure he doesn't irritate his wound.
Title: Re: Howie's Tail Injury
Post by: Gatos on July 29, 2009, 09:18:38 AM: Thanks everyone.
Quote from: Desley (booktigger) on July 29, 2009, 08:19:59 AM
I would give him some supervised time off from the collar
Good idea, it must be driving him bonkers not being able to groom. I just hope I can get it back on!!!!!
Title: Re: Howie's Tail Injury
Post by: Millys Mum on July 29, 2009, 19:11:50 PM: Make sure you note which notch it is fitted in, if you put it back on too loose he will have it off in flash the moment you are in bed :evillaugh:
Title: Re: Howie's Tail Injury
Post by: Gatos on July 30, 2009, 11:29:42 AM: Quote from: Millys Mum on July 29, 2009, 19:11:50 PM
Make sure you note which notch it is fitted in, if you put it back on too loose he will have it off in flash the moment you are in bed :evillaugh:

Good advice! He's looking suitably fed up because he can't groom himself with the collar on. Here he is.
(http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a219/dz-015/30072009016.jpg)
Title: Re: Howie's Tail Injury
Post by: Kay and Penny on July 30, 2009, 11:39:04 AM: perhaps he just doesn't like the programme on the tele - he looks as if he's turned his back in protest, bless him :Luv: