What To Expect If Your Cat Needs Its Tail Partially Amputated
Posted on: 1 October 2018
If your cat has experienced an injury to its tail and you've been informed that they need a partial amputation, you may feel devastated. This can be a difficult procedure for pet parents to get through, as purposefully doing anything to cut a cat's tail can seem cruel and unfair. However, rest assured that doing so can vastly improve the quality of your cat's life and ensure that they live happily and healthily. Here's what you should know.
Why It's Done
Your veterinarian isn't suggesting this procedure for no reason. There are two main reasons why cats typically need a part of their tails amputated. The first is that an injury has become so severely infected that it's a risk to the rest of the body. If it can't be controlled, your vet may suggest removing a part of the tail to remove the majority of the infection.
Alternatively, if your cat's tail was damaged in something like being crushed by a door or run over, there's likely damage to the spine and nerves. Your cat may not be able to properly walk and run while their body is damaged like this. Removing the ruined part of the tail will remove the damaged parts of the nerves and prevent them from sending pain signals to the brain, and it should help your cat to regain their balance and poise.
Surgical Process
Cats have tail amputations under general anesthesia. Your vet will provide your cat with oxygen and fluids to ensure that they stay healthy while they're under. Your cat won't feel pain or remember anything. The portion of the tail that's damaged will be carefully removed. Your vet may remove some tissue to test it for infections. Then, they'll stitch up the remaining part of the tail and carefully wrap it to allow it to heal.
Aftermath
Tail amputations can take a while to recover from, but you'll be glad to know that most cats bounce back from this procedure. Cats with amputated tails are typically just as lively and active as their counterparts. Some people even find the way that cats with amputated tails 'wag' their tails to be charming, as it may look closer to the way a dog wags their tail than a cat waves theirs normally.
With proper care and with a careful amputation by your veterinarian, your cat will be able to run, romp, and balance properly again without being in pain and fear. Work with your veterinary surgical services and follow their directions for aftercare to ensure your cat's well being.
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