A broken tail in a cat is usually not able to be repaired. Generally they will heal on their own, although usually in an unusual alignment. The pain associated with the healing process frequently leads us to amputate the tail at the site of the fracture (actually a pretty easy procedure). The question of seeking care tonight depends upon the amount of pain the cat is in. He is part of your family and of course you do not want him to suffer more than necessary. Cats can hide pain well, so look for restlessness, hiding, cowering when approached, or constant grooming or looking at the area. If these signs are noticed, he is probably in pain. If he is able to rest comfortably, he should be able to wait until the morning. DO NOT use any human or dog pain control medications on a cat! A single Tylenol will kill a kitty.
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This post provides general information only and should not be used to diagnose specific patients. All treatment decisions should be made in conjunction with a veterinarian after thorough examination.
