My cat has hurt his tail. What to do?

[TigOldBitties]

We have male 3 cats, our youngest has clearly hurt his tail.

I can't find a vets open today and frankly I don't think it's an emergency in that he can't wait until Monday morning.

I've had my fair share of tail injuries as have been a life long cat owner but has not sure what to do. I only noticed because I touched his tail and he hissed at me, which has never happened before. On further examination there is a small lump near the base of his tail and this morning he does seem to be holding a bit funny.

There is no visible wound, he is jumping about and has had his tail straight up and flat so seems to have good movement of it. He just reacts when it's touched. Will got to vets ASAP tomorrow morning.

I'm just concerned as to what it is, any ideas?

[yeghoulsandlittledevils]

I don't have an answer, but hope that someone else can help. Perhaps you could ask the vet if there is anything else you could have done today. We could all put together a 'first aid for cats' list!
At least he is getting about and can eat and drink. Hope the vet can put his tail right.

[Bakingtins]

Most likely a bite and may abscess if not treated with antibiotics fairly swiftly. It's worth phoning round a little later on this morning, I will be headed into work at 9am, we run a short surgery on a Sunday for anything which is not a blood-hitting-the-ceiling emergency (which should have gone to our out of hours provider) but also can't wait until Monday. It may be that someone local does the same.
Otherwise, if he'll let you, see if there are any puncture wounds and bathe with warm salty water (teaspoon in a pint) and get him seen tomorrow am. I'd deprive him of breakfast just in case he needs sedation to deal with it.

[Fluffycloudland77]

I take ours to a pets at home vets if he gets ill over the weekend, our surgery isn't open on Sundays apart from emergencies.

[TigOldBitties]

Thanks for all the advice. I haven't let him out today which has prompted much tantrum throwing by him.

I was meant to be going for lunch at my parents today and have found out that luckily, their vet who they trust is open today. Have an appointment for later.

I'm still really worried about him but glad I've got the appointment. We have loads of the antibacterial wash that the vets have given us on previous occasions but I cannot find a wound to wash, plus the more I touch it the more agitated he becomes.

This cat really does not take well to the vets, also he hates the car and will probably be a nightmare regardless but I am trying to keep him as calm as possible.

[timtam23]

How did you get on Tig? One of my cats had the same thing some years ago and it was a bite abscess - nasty things as they can be quite serious due to the relatively poor blood supply to the tail. Fortunately antibiotics sorted it out for my cat ,hopefully it will have been something straightforward for you too.

[TigOldBitties]

It went well timtam, or at least as well as can be expected.

Transporting my cat, as well as our usual brigade of DC and dogs, across London was moderately stressful to say the least! Mainly because my cat cried and screeched through the entire ordeal, he really hates being in the car poor thing

Anyway, he needed a dose of antibiotics but was otherwise ok. The vet managed to find the minuscule puncture wound and decided it didn't really need anything other than a quick clean and some meds. I'm usually alright with these type of injuries as am so used to them what with having outdoor cats, but not being able to find a wound was making me so worried! I thought he had broken his tail, I was so relieved when the vet found it.

He's got to spend a few days in which has already prompted lots of stropping about. I think I will have to bribe him with some smoked haddock.

[ZebraOwl]

Glad all (relatively) ok & hope the stroptacular from the cat isn't too hard to bear!

Definitely good you were able to get it checked today - sounds like something that would prolly have got worse if left; & also means you'll not be worrying about what might be wrong.

[timtam23]

Sorry about the cat strops Tig but glad it was easy to treat

Sounds as if you caught it in time