Cat has trapped tail in the door, shrieked and scarpered

[MrsDavidBowie]

She has been hiding in the garden for the last two hours.

Anyone had experience of this?

One of my Mom's cats had this happen and lost part of its tail.

It's possible for her to have suffered a fracture or nerve damage - or even, just possibly, a dislocation if the tail was trapped by a firm shutting door and she wrenched herself free. Did you see the accident happen?

Any chance of getting her in in some way to check it ? I doubt she'll have gone far.

She's now asleep on the sofa. I will tentatively investigate her tail.

Maybe see if you can entice her to walk through to another room with the promise of a treat? Then you can see how she's walking and how the tail is hanging/waving etc.

Best of luck.

Dh did this to our cat with no lasting effects.

I think much depends on the nature of the accident. A heavy, firm-shutting door closing on a tail with eg some wind behind it is very different to a lighter door shutting gradually and just catching a nip.

I once shut my cats tail in my car door, I took her to the vets but luckily it was fine. She never again rushed out to meet me in the drive when I came in from work after that though!

You will know if it is broken as it will go limp ( won't be stuck up), our cat broke his tail 18 months ago and had it amputated ( almost his whole tail, he now has a tiny stump), a lot of breaks will heal by theirselves ( depending where it's broken ), hopefully your cat will be ok, it was probably more of a shock than anything.

It is at a bit of a funny angle, the last 3 inches.
She doesn't seem particularly bothered ...I'll keep an eye on her tomorrow.

Please keep a very close eye on it often the true damage is only visible when the tail is shaved. If my beautiful tail less wonder had received prompt treatment she would have 2/3rds of her tail. Sadly hers went untreated (not by me) and she now has a 1.5inch stump.
Don't underestimate how painful having a broken tail is, it is after all broken spinal column. I would always advocate seeing these ASAP if only to get pain relief on board.
They can end up with phantom limb pain if it is amputated. The tail less had this for 6 months evident as self epilation of the hair around her stump, she need acupuncture to deal with it.

How is she MrsDavid ?

I'm away at the moment but family say she seems ok....we can touch the tail without her flinching.
Hopefully she'll be ok...I will review on my return later in the week.