Help about vet recommending amputation

michaeljl3 · 12-02-2010, 11:36 PM

We recently took in a stray(im hoping some1 will adopt her). The poor little kitty was missing half her lip and had a large wound on her tail. We got her to the vet today, and from the looks of the cleaned wounds, it appears she was possibly trying to keep warm in a cars engine compartment. Maybe had a run in with the fan. During the cleaning process, when the blood was removed from her hair on the tail, it uncovered a 3/4" long slice(like a knife cut, clean edges) that is all the way down to her tendons. the last 4 inches of her tail just flops around. The Vet says its "a must" to amputate.
Its a $200 surgery, and i already spent $300 on her today. In your opinions, is this a must? could it possibly be wrapped and left to heal?
We want to do whats best, finances are an issue as we have 4 cats already that we pay vet bills on.

MowMow · 12-02-2010, 11:46 PM

I seem to remember reading somewhere about injuries to tails and the problems they can cause. If there is nerve damage and her tails drags on the ground she's always going to have problems with it getting sores from dragging. If she can't control it or feel it the chance goes up of her getting it caught in stuff...

I would think it would be a neccesary surgery.

michaeljl3 · 12-02-2010, 11:48 PM

to clarify, she can move it, but the last four inches flop around. If she wants to, she can hold it straight up.

Mom of 4 · 12-02-2010, 11:59 PM

If the tissue on th tip of the tail is dead, it has to be removed quickly to prevent infection going systemic (which could be deadly).

Thank you for rescuing her. and good luck.

OsnobunnieO · 12-03-2010, 12:05 AM

They will most likely remove a little more than what is affected, but more than likely not the whole tail. But I agree that it should be done. You might want to ask about having the kitty spayed at the same time. It was prevent her from being put under anesthesia twice, and will also cut down on cost. Yes, the cost will be more initially but it will save on the second surgery.

Even without infection (which is very much a risk) the cat may have pain or other sensation to the tail that may be a constant annoyance. A lot of injuries to the tail often lead to the pets chew them to the point that they require amputation anyway.

I would have it done. Good luck!

michaeljl3 · 12-03-2010, 01:40 AM

Thanks for the input! My g/f's workplace is going to try to have a small fundraiser for her, and the vet is donating $100 off due to the circumstances.
Hopefully all goes well! Poor cat, must be painful, but all she does is purr all day long.

Heidi n Q · 12-03-2010, 01:53 AM

Sweet and lucky kitty to have been found and cared for by you and your g/f. I wanted to comment about the purring, some cats who are in great pain purr to release endorphins to combat the pain.

Our California neighbor's cat was caught in a leg-hold trap (long enough for the flesh to rot away and we could see into her leg and view the dried/white bones) purred non-stop once she was found and rescued from her predicament. She of course had her leg amputated and lived many more good years with her elderly owner.

Susan · 12-03-2010, 03:42 PM

I hope all goes well and your kitty is feeling better soon.

Jan Rebecca · 12-03-2010, 03:50 PM

I feel so sorry for the poor kitty - glad you took her in.

MowMow · 12-03-2010, 03:58 PM

Thank goodness she found people who care and are willing to step in and help her.

12-02-2010, 11:36 PM	#1 (permalink)
michaeljl3 Jr. Cat Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 40	Help about vet recommending amputation We recently took in a stray(im hoping some1 will adopt her). The poor little kitty was missing half her lip and had a large wound on her tail. We got her to the vet today, and from the looks of the cleaned wounds, it appears she was possibly trying to keep warm in a cars engine compartment. Maybe had a run in with the fan. During the cleaning process, when the blood was removed from her hair on the tail, it uncovered a 3/4" long slice(like a knife cut, clean edges) that is all the way down to her tendons. the last 4 inches of her tail just flops around. The Vet says its "a must" to amputate. Its a $200 surgery, and i already spent $300 on her today. In your opinions, is this a must? could it possibly be wrapped and left to heal? We want to do whats best, finances are an issue as we have 4 cats already that we pay vet bills on.

12-02-2010, 11:46 PM	#2 (permalink)
MowMow Premier Cat Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Pacific Northwest Posts: 5,651	I seem to remember reading somewhere about injuries to tails and the problems they can cause. If there is nerve damage and her tails drags on the ground she's always going to have problems with it getting sores from dragging. If she can't control it or feel it the chance goes up of her getting it caught in stuff... I would think it would be a neccesary surgery. __________________

12-02-2010, 11:59 PM	#4 (permalink)
Mom of 4 Cool Cat Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 1,370	If the tissue on th tip of the tail is dead, it has to be removed quickly to prevent infection going systemic (which could be deadly). Thank you for rescuing her. and good luck. __________________ Mom of Skin kids - Jason, Kevin, Allison Canine kids - Bennett (always in our hearts), Bailey, Riley and Banker Feline kids - Zoey, Talley ____________________________ Marsha

12-03-2010, 12:05 AM	#5 (permalink)
OsnobunnieO Premier Cat Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Simpsonville, SC Posts: 4,399	They will most likely remove a little more than what is affected, but more than likely not the whole tail. But I agree that it should be done. You might want to ask about having the kitty spayed at the same time. It was prevent her from being put under anesthesia twice, and will also cut down on cost. Yes, the cost will be more initially but it will save on the second surgery. Even without infection (which is very much a risk) the cat may have pain or other sensation to the tail that may be a constant annoyance. A lot of injuries to the tail often lead to the pets chew them to the point that they require amputation anyway. I would have it done. Good luck! __________________ Jessie "There is no snooze button on a cat who wants breakfast."

12-03-2010, 01:53 AM	#7 (permalink)
Heidi n Q Premier Cat Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Monroe, GA Posts: 17,088	Sweet and lucky kitty to have been found and cared for by you and your g/f. I wanted to comment about the purring, some cats who are in great pain purr to release endorphins to combat the pain. Our California neighbor's cat was caught in a leg-hold trap (long enough for the flesh to rot away and we could see into her leg and view the dried/white bones) purred non-stop once she was found and rescued from her predicament. She of course had her leg amputated and lived many more good years with her elderly owner. __________________ Spay it forward. (neuter, too!) I have the ability of single-minded determination and focu... Hey look, a cat! =^..^=

12-02-2010, 11:48 PM	#3 (permalink)
michaeljl3 Jr. Cat Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 40	to clarify, she can move it, but the last four inches flop around. If she wants to, she can hold it straight up.

12-03-2010, 01:40 AM	#6 (permalink)
michaeljl3 Jr. Cat Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 40	Thanks for the input! My g/f's workplace is going to try to have a small fundraiser for her, and the vet is donating $100 off due to the circumstances. Hopefully all goes well! Poor cat, must be painful, but all she does is purr all day long.

12-03-2010, 03:42 PM	#8 (permalink)
Susan Premier Cat Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 4,632	I hope all goes well and your kitty is feeling better soon. __________________ Dogs have owners. Cats have staff.

12-03-2010, 03:50 PM	#9 (permalink)
Jan Rebecca Cat Addict Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 1,507	I feel so sorry for the poor kitty - glad you took her in.

12-03-2010, 03:58 PM	#10 (permalink)
MowMow Premier Cat Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Pacific Northwest Posts: 5,651	Thank goodness she found people who care and are willing to step in and help her. __________________

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