What to do if my cat's tail is limp, swollen, and painful?

Question

Hi, my cats tail is limp and looks a little swollen at the base, he doesn’t seem in pain he is still purring as usual but he is moving slower than normal, he hissed quite aggressively when I touched it (not normal) he usually lifts his behind and raises his tail when clapped but not today, he is trying to and is moving it more as the day goes on but it is not straight up as usual or anywhere close to normal, he is a night cat and fights a lot, could he have been bitten maybe? Pet's info: Cat | Mixed Breed | Male | neutered | 14 lbs

Kevin Sanada, DVM · Accepted Answer

This appears to be a classic presentation of a tail-pull injury. This happens when the tail gets pulled very forcefully (either it gets stuck under something like a car tire, or gets pulled by someone). This causes significant damage to the major nerves at the base of the tail, which is very painful and can cause paralysis of the tail. This requires that you take Kovu to a vet as soon as possible. It's not an emergency, but best if you go to a vet within 24 hours, because he will need pain medication and possibly other treatment. Your vet will be able to give you a better idea about the severity of the injury and prognosis. I hope that helps and Kovu gets better soon.

What to do if my cat's tail is limp, swollen, and painful?

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