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Why is my cat licking her amputated tail and losing fur suddenly?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Oriental | Female | spayed

My cat had the tip of her tail amputated last year to due injury. It has been fine. Healed and hair grew back. Now a year on she keeps licking and chasing it this last week or so. It has now lost the fur too.

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

Veterinarian

Published on November 18th, 2019

It sounds like it's bothering Ava. There is a question if animals feel phantom pain from amputated limps or tails like humans feel phantom pain from amputated limbs. I'd have her checked out by a vet.

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My cat lost its front leg a couple years ago and she's had no problems since but I noticed where her leg should be twitches sometimes and there's a chunk of hair missing. I didn't think it was a big deal until today she's been growling at nothing and
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My cat has a large bald strip down her back to her tail. She licks this area constantly. Could it be fleas, or maybe stress?
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Hi. Thanks for taking this question. I came home today to find my cat's tail hanging limp. He complains when I touch around a quarter of the way down. No sores or swollen areas. The end and base of his tail are totally fine - I can scratch his back a
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