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Bent/Broken Tail??

Spoon&Sphynx

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Worried Mom here!

Our Midi always curls her tail into a circle when she sits down. Always.

Well, today, she jumped up onto my lap and I was petting her and felt a hard lump on her tail. I tried to straighten her tail out, to see if it was a cyst or acne, like our older girl sometimes gets. No. Just a really hard bump. Almost like a bone was out of place. But she let me touch it and play with it just fine.

Then she sat down and DIDN'T curl her tail. In fact, it seems to be bent/kinked the opposite way that she usually curls it. I'm freaking out. She doesn't seem to be in pain. I have no idea what might have happened. Is this something she needs the vet for? What do I do??? Any thoughts or advice???? I'm so worried. I can't get her to the vet until tomorrow morning anyway, so I wanted to reach out and see what you folks think.

I'll try to get pictures.
 

Spoon&Sphynx

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Pictures of her tail today:

MidiTail.jpg MidiTail2.jpg MidiTail4.jpg MidiTail5.jpg MidiTail6.jpg
 

Toa and Ross

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Sorry to hear Midi has a hard lump on her tail. I did read here once about a sphynx that twisted his tail. The cat had a lump for a few days and then it disappaered. Just like Midi the human of this sphynx could still touch the tail and the sphynx didn't seem to be in pain. Maybe Midi has the same?

If she stays her normal self, eat, drinks and plays like normal and the lump doesn't get bigger maybe you can wait a day or two to see if it disappaer.

Hope she'll curls her tail soon again.
 

Toa and Ross

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Oh poor Midi. That's a lump indeed. It looks the same as the lump from the sphynx I wrote about. I thought it was the sphynx of @Denise
Maybe she can give you advice on what to do.
 

Catzzzmeow

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@Spoon&Sphynx Ohhhh poor baby. We have seen several tail injuries. Most happen from falls or getting caught in doors. From all I have read, it is best to have a vet just check it out. In extreme cases it can lead to amputation of the tail. Do not let that scare you. We have seen several members with no issue, but having a vet give a once over can help in the healing process if they feel pain meds are needed, or they foresee blood flow issues etc. The kink is pretty low at the base of the tail and that is why I would personally get it looked at just in case.

If you feel comfy not going to vet and seems no pain or changes in behavior etc, start looking for what your baby got into. Might need extra kitty proofing.


Patti
 

Spoon&Sphynx

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Thanks, guys. I'm going to call the vet in the morning. I'm just panicking until then. She's known for being underfoot and getting caught in doors. It's the only thing I can think of, but I was gone yesterday so I don't know what it was exactly. It just makes me sick to see it :(
 

Spoon&Sphynx

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The vet said it was either a fracture or torn ligaments. He said we could either just let it be and it would most likely heal with a permanent kink and be thicker where it's bent, or try to splint it. I told him to do whatever was best for her and easiest, so we're just going to let it heal naturally. He said she didn't seem to be in much pain, so that was good. My poor little Midi kitty <3
 

SphynxKid

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My Fluffy has a kink in her tail like that. She came to me like that. Midi does seem like that is a new injury. It doesn't hold Fluffy back from curling her tail now but the kink is obvious when you pet her she tries to straighten it out. Did your vet xray it? That would be my only concern. If he didn't xray it, there is no real way to see if it is broken vs. a ligament injury. Iwould just watch her for the pain and then return to the vet if she is in pain for pain medication.

Jen
 

Spoon&Sphynx

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No x-ray. He said it seemed stable and said it should be able to heal on its own regardless of which injury it was.

I dunno. It wasn't my usual Vet, which I was pretty upset about because she's the only one I know with sphynx experience.

BUT I'm trying not to panic and overthink things. She was already curling it a little more this morning, so I think it should be fine.
 

Toa and Ross

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Good to hear the vet said Midi will be okay. Sending a lot of healing vibes for a speed recovery for Midi and a cuddle from my boys to you for all the worries you have!
 

Spoon&Sphynx

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Hi there. Just checking in for an update. Hope all is continuing to go well!

She seems to be doing fine! It's curling a bit more everyday. Although, we did notice some bruising on it this weekend. No reaction when we touch it though, so she must not be in pain. I'm hoping the bruising is a sign that it's healing as the swelling goes down.
 
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