Cat Tail Amputation

For various reasons, cats sometimes need their tail amputated, a procedure called a caudectomy. While your feline’s tail has many purposes, most cats adjust well to being without it.

What Is a Cat Tail Amputation?

A caudectomy, or tail amputation, is the surgical removal of a cat’s tail. It is usually done because of injury, trauma, or paralysis.

A cat tail amputation should not be confused with tail docking, a similar process performed on dogs for cosmetic (appearance) purposes. Both procedures involve removing part of the tail, but a caudectomy would only be performed on a cat for medical reasons.

Types of Cat Tail Amputation

Caudectomies are relatively common in cats for various tail injuries and diseases. The amount of tail that needs to be amputated is decided by where the tail is damaged, with the primary goal of lowering the risk of damage to the remaining tail part.

The two types of cat tail amputation include:

• Partial caudectomy: Part of a cat’s tail is removed.

• Total caudectomy: A cat’s entire tail is removed.

Anatomy of a Cat Tail

A cat’s tail is a flexible appendage that is made mostly of bone and cartilage. At the tail’s base, the muscles attach to the pelvis and control the tail moving up and down. These muscles also provide balance and stability, especially when a cat runs and jumps.

A cat’s tail has a varying number of vertebrae. The spinal cord doesn’t go into the tail, but nerves branching off the spinal cord, called the cauda equina, continue into the tail, giving sensation and control of the tail, hind limbs, urinary bladder, large intestine, and anus.

The tip of a cat’s tail has a sensory organ—the vibrissae—which is a group of sensitive hairs that help your feline sense their environment. The tail also has pheromone-producing glands that help a cat communicate with other cats.

Why Would a Cat Need Their Tail Amputated?

Cats’ tails don’t have a good blood supply, which means the tail does not heal well if injured or damaged. Conditions that can possibly lead to tail amputation in cats include:

• Tail pull injuries. Tail pull injuries can result in nerve damage if the cauda equina nerves are stretched. If the tail is not expected to regain mobility (movement) or sensation, amputation may be recommended to prevent complications when urinating and defecating, as well as further stretching of the cauda equina nerves.

• Infection. Tail wounds, especially bite wounds from a fight, can become infected and, if not treated correctly, can require amputation.

• Degloving injuries. Degloving injuries happen when the skin is peeled away from the tail. These most commonly happen in motor vehicle trauma or if a cat’s tail gets caught in a door.

• Self-trauma. Stressed cats may constantly bite or chew their tail, leading to open, nonhealing wounds.

• Strangulation injuries. Strings or other objects that wrap tightly around the tail can cut off the blood supply.

• Tumors. Tumors of the tail skin, soft tissue, and bones may require caudectomy.

• Frostbite. Cats’ tails are vulnerable to tissue damage from frostbite and in severe cases this may lead to tail amputation.

Benefits of a Cat Tail Amputation

The benefits of cat tail amputation depend on the cause of tail injury or damage. Potential benefits to a caudectomy may include:

• Preventing complications when urinating and defecating; preventing potential infections if the cat’s tail is paralyzed

• Preventing further stretching of cauda equina nerves

• Removing an infection that is nonresponsive to medications

• Removing nonhealing tissue to prevent a chronic wound

• Preventing cancer spread by removing a tail tumor

Effectiveness of Cat Tail Amputation

Caudectomy is an effective treatment for many conditions that cause paralysis or nonhealing tail wounds. In one study, cat parents reported that their felines had no behavioral changes after a partial caudectomy and complications were typically minor.

Cost of a Cat Tail Amputation

A caudectomy’s cost depends on numerous factors, such as the standard cost of living in your area, the diagnostics and other treatments that are needed, and if your cat has complications. A cat tail amputation typically ranges from $300 to $1,200, and the national average cost is $600.

Preparation for a Cat Tail Amputation

Your cat should receive no food after 9 p.m. the night before a caudectomy, but water all night is OK. Your veterinarian may also ask that you begin antibiotics to your cat before surgery, depending on their condition.

At the veterinary hospital, your cat will be anesthetized and your veterinarian will likely X-ray their tail to find the best place for amputation. After the tail is shaved and sterilely prepped, your veterinarian will amputate your cat’s tail and stitch the wound closed.

Complications of a Cat Tail Amputation

Complications for cats who have a caudectomy are uncommon, but potential issues include bleeding, postoperative infection, prolonged healing, wound reopening, fecal or urinary incontinence (litter box accidents), and self-trauma to the incision, which may require more surgery.

Postoperative Care and Recovery for a Cat Tail Amputation

When you bring your cat home, they must be kept quiet until the amputation site is completely healed. Considerations include:

• Using an recovery collar or cone to prevent your cat from reaching the wound

• Keeping your cat indoors to help prevent the wound from reopening and being infected

• Using paper-based litter to prevent dust from getting into the surgical site

• Giving all pain medications and antibiotics as prescribed by your veterinarian

• Keeping all recommended follow-up appointments

• Watching your cat’s litter box habits to see if there is difficulty urinating or defecating

• Checking the amputation site for redness, swelling, heat, and discharge, and contacting your veterinarian if you notice any of these signs

• Scooping your cat’s litter at least twice a day to remove urine-soaked litter and fecal matter

Alternatives to a Cat Tail Amputation

After a tail-pull injury, your veterinarian may recommend giving the injury time to heal before attempting surgery. In these cases, you must take care to keep your feline’s hind end clean to prevent infection.

The outlook is better for cats who still have normal anal tone and bladder function.

For degloving and nonhealing tail injuries, caudectomy is typically the best choice.