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Why does my pregnant cat's tail smell bad and hurt to touch?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Ragdoll | Female | unspayed | 1 year old | 5 lbs

2 year old cat is pregnant and got into a fight and think her tail is broken. Don’t see any open wounds on it but it has a terrible smell coming from it and she won’t let me touch it

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Dr. Davis

Veterinarian

Published on April 7th, 2018

This sounds like she may have an infected fight wound on or around her tail. The odor and pain are from the infection. Usually a broken tail would be painful but shouldn't smell. She may need sedation to clean the should and get the puss to drain out. Often cats also need oral antibiotics for the infection. If you are able to find a scab in the fur and remove it the infection may drain out and heal without treatment. If it starts draining clean the wound with hydrogen peroxide. Please take her in for an exam if she's not improved in a day or so. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for Elsa.

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    Answered By Shaneez Wallani, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on

    Poor Elsa! She needs to be seen by a vet right away, as she is likely suffering from terrible pain. This could be due to a muscular or nerve injury, infection, a fractured bone, trauma, a mass, or a foreign body in the tail. Your vet can assess Elsa by doing a physical exam, and will make recommendations for further diagnostics/ treatments as needed. Pain medications meant for humans can be very dangerous and even deadly for cats due to toxicity, so I do not recommend giving any to Elsa without consulting with your vet. Good luck, and I hope she feels better soon!

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