Causes and Symptoms of Tail Injuries in Cats

Tail injuries are not uncommon in cats. Many kinds of accidents can injure a cat's tail. Injuries can occur when the tail is shut in a door, stepped on, pulled, or when a cat is hit by a car. Fractures, or other injuries, can sometimes be very serious. I will tell you what to look for if you suspect a cat has a broken tail or other tail injury; however, I recommend contacting a veterinarian if you suspect a cat has been injured in any way.

In the past two years I have brought two cats, on separate occasions, to an emergency vet because I suspected a broken tail. Both experiences taught me a lot about cat anatomy and about cat tail injuries. What I learned from veterinarians I pass on to you. I will start by answering why some injuries can be so serious.

The most serious injuries:

A cat's tail consists of small vertebrae and is connected to the cat's spine via the sacrum. The spinal cord stops short of the tail but nerve endings from the spine extend further and can be damaged by injuries to the region close to the body (even if no fracture occurs). Fractures, compression of the nerves (caused by dislocation, slippage of the vertebral discs, or tissue swelling), near the tail head (the part closest to the body) all can cause very serious problems.

The nerve damage can cause inability to pass feces or urine, incontinence, and lameness. Many cats recover but, unfortunately, some do not. A lot depends on the cat and the extent of the injury. Tail amputation is sometimes required to assist recovery. In many cases, owners must help the cat by manually expressing the bladder. If the injury is severe enough, however, the cat may have to be euthanized.

Other injuries can mimic the symptoms of a fracture. One cat I brought to the vet did not have a fracture, but an abscess, which is also serious. (If you would like to read about that, you can do so here). The other cat had a minor fracture. Although it seemed serious at first, the cat recovered completely. (The symptoms had been exaggerated by a very firm ball of feces that had gotten stuck in her colon). In both cases the cats showed lameness in the hindquarters and appeared to be in a great deal of pain.

Drawing from my experience and from the website, marvistavet, viewable here, the following are some signs of a broken tail (note that these symptoms are not always present):

Drooping or dragging tail

Incontinence (fecal and/or urinary)

Lameness in the rear legs (the degree of lameness varies)

Causes of injury

The cat...

Gets caught in a door. This can cause tissue damage or a fracture. When the cat tries to get away, the tail may become dislocated.

Gets hit by a car. Cats may be side-swiped, causing injury, or may get the tail caught, which will cause severely dislocation and/or fracture. This is very serious and requires immediate veterinary attention.

Falls. All cat owners know that cats are not always as graceful as they are purported to be.

Gets her tail pulled. A cat's tail, though flexible and seemingly strong, can be seriously injured if pulled--even if it is pulled only by a small child. Children should be taught early never to pull on any part of a cat.

Less Severe Injuries

Fractures or tissue damage that occurs further on down the tail tend to be much less severe. You should still seek veterinary assistance, but the probability of full recovery is much greater. Inspect for any puncture wounds. Abscesses are very common and can become serious if left untreated.

If you have any reason to suspect your cat has injured the tail, you should consult your veterinarian. I also recommend getting a second opinion if the injury seems serious.

I am not a veterinarian and this article is not intended to replace veterinary advice. Please see your veterinarian if you suspect a cat has suffered any type of injury.