My cat has hyperesthesia, "tail-chasing" disorder. It sounds funny, but it really isn't. The only medications available for this condition only supresses her urges to attack her tail. So she sleeps alot during the day and has alot of energy at night. She's attacked her tail so much that it's never had enough time to heal so it looks and feels like someone sliced her tail with a knife. I know there could be complications with the surgery, but I'm running out of options. I can't believe she has this problem and she's only 1 year 7months.
2007-11-07 05:05:00 · 13 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Cats
No, no, no. A cat is not a cat without a tail. It sounds like a psychological problem, so I would ask your doc for a sedative or something, or put an e-collar (lampshade) on her for a while and see if that helps her stop.
2007-11-07 06:07:07 · answer #1 · answered by Flatpaw 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Tail-chasing is a problem mainly with the mind and you'd need to ask your vet, perhaps getting a second opinion, as to what the options are. The questions you need to ask are varied of course but should include:- will she grow out of it when she matures? If its possible that she will then its worth waiting a few months? If the answer to that is a definite NO then go ahead and have the tail removed, she's young enough to deal with the surgery, and she'll adapt to having no tail in time. My Mum's cat was run over and her front leg was horribly mutilated so the vet amputated it and although she went peculiar at first ( hiding away and not trying to walk ) she did eventually adapt to it and became well known in the area for her tree climbing antics! Good luck to you both x
2007-11-07 13:29:57 · answer #2 · answered by misstraceyrick 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Be careful with this. My cat's tail is paralysed due to severe injury as a kitten (she was a rescue) and she can't raise it. For a long time she couldn't even raise it to use the bathroom and she had to get a bath daily. I spoke with my vet, who I believe is VERY good, about the possibility of amputating her tail -- the vet told me that although the tail is paralysed and without feeling, there's a common and severe side effect to amputating a cat's tail -- it could damage their anal glands in such a way as to cause them to have no control over their bowels. As it was explained to me, this is true even if you leave a short stub of tail intact. If this happens (and it's common and uncontrollable) the cat will not even know when or where it poo's for the rest of it's life -- making housebreaking impossible and cleanup a horror.
To me, this risk isn't worth taking. Talk to your vet and ask about the likelihood of this happening before you make your decision.
I don't know if this disorder is one that she could be trained out of? I'm sure it would take a lot of time and effort on your part but would be worth it in the long run if so.
2007-11-07 13:31:32 · answer #3 · answered by goddessdawnie 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Poor thing. Get your vet's professional opinion the people on this forum most likely don't have the proper knowledge to advise you. Is it like an OCD? If so there may be some other drugs that can help. I can't see how removing her tail will help because she may try to chase it anyhow or she may start attacking another body part like a back leg or something. You can't keep slicing off body parts until she is cured.
2007-11-07 13:32:27 · answer #4 · answered by PRS 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
What does the vet suggest? If you have a good relationship with your vet then trust his opinion. You are right. There are always risk involved with any surgical procedure but this is a non invasive surgery.
I have seen many cats lead fine lives after tail removal. The impact seems to be more on the owner than the cat in most of these cases!
Good luck to you!
~Tyed~
2007-11-07 13:15:17 · answer #5 · answered by owltyedup 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
If it were me, I'd talk to the vet and I'd seriously consider it.
I had a cat whose tail was broken by a dog and it was paralyzed for a time and she dragged it until it healed. She eventually healed enough to lift her tail partially, but if she hadn't, I would have had it amputated since she would not have been able to lift it to go to the bathroom and it would have been dragged around and been a continual dirty mess. I also knew another person with a cat with a broken tail who did decide to amputate when the tail did not heal. The cat did very well post-surgery.
2007-11-07 13:10:20 · answer #6 · answered by ? 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Personally I would only have the tail removed if you plan on replacing it with a cybernetic implant. In all seriousness though, the vet will tell you what the safest course of action is for your cat.
2007-11-07 15:03:35 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well has the vet suggested this? Unlikely, because a cat's tail is an extension of its spine - removing it causes serious problems, you can only really remove from about halfway down.
Talk to your vet, or a different vet. This is not a place you're going to find answers to medical questions!
Chalice
2007-11-07 13:26:37 · answer #8 · answered by Chalice 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
The cat is young so would probably do ok with surgery. What does the vet recommend? I guess I would ask what the cat will chase and mangle after removal.
2007-11-07 13:16:19 · answer #9 · answered by Cynde L 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋
well if you have the cats tail removed will that solve the problem? will she keep trying attack something that isn`t there anymore? i would talk to your vet and see what the best option would be.
2007-11-07 13:15:41 · answer #10 · answered by tammy43mack 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋