My cat has lost all the nerves in it's tail, and it's tail is "dead". I have been advised by the vet to have it amputated in case it gets caught in anything the cat will not be able to feel it. The cat is however in NO pain or discomfort. The procedure is however going to cost $1000 or more.
Do you think that it is important that I have the amputation done or not? What would you do?
2007-11-02 22:24:47 · 14 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Cats
$1000 sounds like far too high a quote for this sort of surgery. It may be worth checking with other vet clinics in the area to find out what their charges for such a surgery are.
If the cat has no sensation in its tail, I would highly advise amputation. The cat will be very prone to injuring its tail, and if it gets caught in something will very likely end up with a severe 'tail pull' injury, which can damage the nerves further up (e.g. those that supply the anal and urethral sphincters). If the tail is truly 'dead' (i.e. no blood supply) then amputation is an absolute must- without intervention it will become completely necrotic and drop off, similar to what occurs in people with gangrene.
2007-11-02 22:36:32 · answer #1 · answered by Loz 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Bring her to a top notch vet!!! A cat tail is critical to her balance. Do NOT just have her tail amputated so easily! See if there isn't a different solution. Find an Animal Hospital near you OR someone who specializes in only cats. My girlfreind had a vet sew one eye closed of her cat, and turned out it was the wrong thing to do. Luckily she found a cat specialist who saved the eye and fixed the problem. Not every vet knows what htey're doing!!! Get one who is not so quick to do surgery! Don't amputate!!!
2016-03-13 22:16:36 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
1,000 for that kind of surgery is unbelievable! Do you live in a big city? I live in rural PA, where you can get a cat fixed AND declawed for a few hundered bucks! ( and those are more complicated than removing a tail!) But back to your cat... Are you sure about the vets' diagnosis? If it's from the same "overpaid" vet, you should get a second opinion. However, please do it quickly, as an infection may set in. And dont worry if it turns out that you do have to get it amputated, because the cat will be fine! Good luck!
2007-11-03 01:51:40 · answer #3 · answered by fredsredhead66 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I could see our country vet doing a kitty leg amputation for less than a hundred. We had a cat neutered AND had his hernia fixed for around a hundred. Some people just want to care for the critters and don't overcharge. As a side note...we have a local boarding establishment that has charged the same low $15 a day fee for 15 years.
2014-06-24 20:31:08 · answer #4 · answered by Brenda 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I 100% agree with your vet, the tail or part of the tail does need to be amputated. Your cat will be in no pain or discomfort because of the nerve damage already caused to the tail.
Can you tell us more about how your cats condition has come about? Is he suggesting amputating all of the tail or part?
I am a UK based Vet Nurse so I cannot comment on the price
2007-11-02 23:20:23 · answer #5 · answered by Kerrie G 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
So sorry to hear about your kitty btw. I it was one of mine I would do it, because as your vet says she won't feel it getting injured. I do think the price sounds a bit high, but cheaper isn't always better. I would still shop around and ask several vets to give you a quote. If you get a quote that seems way lower I would question it myself ($65 to amputate a leg? no way I would trust that vet to operate on my cat) but you will get a better idea of the going rate. Do payments if you need to, but if it was me I would get it done. Don't worry you kitty will get used to having no tail sooner then you would think.
2007-11-02 23:14:34 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Wow, $1000 is alot for an amputation. I would ask around with other vets. You could talk to the local humane society; they might have a vet who could do it alot cheaper than that. I'm no vet or doctor but I don't think amputations are a difficult procedure.
2007-11-02 22:29:18 · answer #7 · answered by YJohnY 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
About 5 years ago my dog had to have its' tail amputated due to a growth. My vet charged me under $300 total. On the other hand, my oldest cat had to have a small mass removed from her abdomen yesterday and it cost a total of $545. I agree, it needs to be done, but I would shop around other vets/clinics first.
2007-11-02 22:36:41 · answer #8 · answered by ssc 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Ask the vet the difference between nerve loss and dead tissue. If the tail doesn't pose a necrotic threat (dead tissue, no blood flow) and there's nothing that can catch on the tail to hurt it inside your home, you can keep the tail on the cat provided the cat doesn't show discomfort.
If there's dead TISSUE as well as dead nerves, you're looking at blood poisoning down the line and gangrene. Then it would be wise to remove the tail. However, it would be similar to docking a dog's tail, you can check with other vets as to the cost they would charge, the $1,000 sounds very high for this.
2007-11-03 06:20:01 · answer #9 · answered by Elaine M 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It's way too high a quote from the vet.
It is however necessary to have done, since it will get caught in things since no sensation's there.
Get another opinion,..... $300-400 is the max. for the O.R., it is a simple operation considering it's not a limb, nor major organ.
2007-11-02 22:38:52 · answer #10 · answered by deltadawn 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋