My cat's tail was shut in door. Is it broken? He keeps it low now.

Unfortunately, it's not possible to tell is his tail is broken from these pictures. I would have to examine the tail in-person in order to tell this. The wound does look quite deep though and it's definitely possible that it was broken. These injuries tend to be vary painful, so I would consider going to the ER vet if he seems very guarded and not interested in food - these are signs of severe pain. Otherwise, as long as it's not bleeding profusely, this injury can wait until your regular vet is open tomorrow. For now, you should flush the wound using a syringe or other dispensing device with warm water for five minutes. This may not be easy, because cats tend to hate water getting sprayed on them. I recommend having someone help you with this and wrapping Alexander in a towel to make sure the wound gets flushed well. Below is a link to a demonstration of an eye flush that shows how to restrain her well. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tDGzdUTUdNI Infection is the biggest concern with these wounds; so after flushing, it's best to apply an antibacterial cream to the wound. In order to keep the wound clean, it's best to flush the wound 1-2 times a day and gently wipe away any big crusts - make sure not to scrub the wound, because this can make it worse. Apply the antibacterial cream after each flushing. I hope that helps and Alexander gets better soon.

I am sorry to hear about Matilda! It is definitely possible to have a broken tail. We can see fractures, and also trauma to the nerves that can affect the tail. I would recommend a visit to your vet. They can examine the tail and likely will want to take an x-ray to check for fractures. They can prescribe pain medication to make her more comfortable and decide the best treatment to help her.

Ouch, poor kitty! It could be his tail is broken from being shut in the door, and he needs to be checked out by a vet right away. Please take him into an ER vet clinic; if there isn't one in your area, there will be a vet on call for emergencies. The information to reach that vet is found on a clinic's answering machine or website. Best of luck.

Thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach with your question about Albhe. This happens more often than you realize! It's very important you do not give him any human pain medications. Many are toxic to cats and are fatal if given. I would keep a close eye on him to see if he has any pain. Pain can be shown by him keeping his tail limp, not moving it, lethargy, or a loss of appetite. If you see any of those signs, have him seen by a vet. I hope this helps.

Keep an eye on it and give it some time. If the pain gradually recedes and your cat acts fine, then good. If it remains painful, if it is set at an odd angle or if your cat is reluctant to move it, it the tail tip gets dry, hard or gets infected, then get him seen by your vet right away.

Hello there, Sorry to hear this happened with Luna. Most of the time, tail fractures will heal well with medical treatment and minimal long term issues in pets. That being said, open wounds or complicated fractures could mean a necessary tail amputation. I'd recommend having Luna seen by a veterinarian for a physical exam. They can prescribe pain medications to keep her comfortable while she heals. They may recommend an x-ray to assess internal damage. If there is an open wound, they will likely recommend a course of antibiotics as well to prevent infection. I hope this is helpful. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Poor Toby! I am sure you feel awful and are concerned about Toby. I cannot tell from this photo the depth of the wound. Sometimes in cats we can get what is called "degloving" wounds where the bone actually becomes exposed. Either way, it looks like Toby needs veterinary care. The wound needs to be cleaned up and may need a bandage to be applied by the vet, and he may need some antibiotics and pain medication. If you wish to discuss this with one of our veterinarians here at Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach you can use our consultation service.