Limp painful tail

[Sewfrickinamazeballs]

Just wondering if anyone has had similar with their cat and can give me an idea of what might be up. Firstly, she is booked in to the vet Thursday pm, I know that is where we will get the definitive answer but not sure if we need to call in the morning and get her seen sooner.

All fine yesterday, then this afternoon suddenly she has a limp tail. It feels like a few lumps are present around half way down but she won't let us get near them, seems painful for her. She will let me pick her up and give her fuss and other than the tail seems well in herself, but you know cats, they can mask pain so well.

She is an 18 year old beauty who has had absolutely no health issues. She is currently asleep under a table.

I am especially worried as we are at a wedding (very close family, can't miss) on the weekend so won't be able to keep an eye on her and due to her age, I'm conscious of not stressing her out anymore than I have to.

This is usually an indication of a cat bite abscess. Other options is she’s been clipped by a car. Cat bite more likely

I agree, sounds like it could be a cat bite abscess.
My cat came home with his tail dragging on the ground.Vet of course the same day.It was a cat bite, so antibiotics for a few days.Unfortunately it took 3 visits before it healed up.It was a huge one though.

Can you get her into the vet any earlier? It's not fair to leave her without pain relief if she's in pain.

I think this needs seeing as an emergency today .I accidentally shut a cats tail in the door a few weeks ago , fortunately it only clipped the side of the tail but everything I read at the time said that you should see a vet urgently.

Thanks all. We got her in at 9am, it is a bite wound. Antibiotics and pain meds prescribed. We will monitor for a few days and see how she is.

Poor thing.

Hope she feels better soon

So a quick update and a further question.

Took her back Tuesday and vet strongly suspects she has a broken tail right at the top. We are currently on the watch and wait path to see if she can tolerate it as it is (but will never regain control) or we amputate. The latter I want to avoid if possible mainly due to her age and the stress this would cause.

Has anyone had similar and their cat could cope with the broken tail remaining as is (provided she is not in pain) or is amputation the only option?

I suspect my late girl had had a broken tail at some point. The top quarter was limp, it never bothered her at all.