amputated tail- will personality ever get back to normal?

[vam]

My poor 1. 5 y.o. kitty was in some sort of accident (don't know what happened-- he's not talking), broke his tail badly and had to have half of it amputated. Looks like it's not healing well and he may have to lose more of it (i.e., almost all). I've just about gotten over feeling sorry that my buddy has lost a body part (but tails are SO expressive ), and now just hope that his awesome personality will return some day. Right now he's totally freaked out by his "tail," is completely anti-social and doing WEIRD things, and I suspect is still hurting. Any thoughts or experiences? Thanks so much in advance.

[Traci]

Can you explain "doing weird things"? What is he doing exactly? When did the incident occur, when was the surgery? Did your vet give you proper instructions on caring for the wound when you brought him home? Were oral pain medications given for the first few days after the surgery? Have you kept an elizabethan collar on him so that he can't self-inflict further injury and irritation to the wound? Is his appetite decreased, and is he having problems with urinating/bowel functions?

If in doubt, get him back to your vet ASAP for a re-examination, to check for infection at the suture site, or other type infection, fever, etc. Amputations are like any other surgery, post-infection can always occur, so you need to rule this out. If he is still having pain from the procedure, your vet can prescribe oral suspension pain medication for a short duration. Once your vet has re-evaluated the wound, he needs to instruct you on wound care at home, and possible confinement for a short time so he can heal.

[Guest]

thanks, traci. he does have an infection and we've been to the vet regularly monitoring it. so, i know he must just feel awful, which explains some of why he's not himself. but the weird things he's doing- lounging in his litter box, hissing at his tail then running away only to seem freaked out when he realizes it's still attached to him, hanging out in places he's never hung out before, obsessive licking of his bottom. Maybe it's simply not so weird. His bowel and urinary function are fine, thank goodness. His injury and surgery were a week ago and he's been on antibiotics for the infection for 5 days. He goes back to the vet in 2 days to see where to go from here. I guess I'm just wondering if, once we get his pain and healing under control (which may mean more surgery ), will he likely come around and be himself once more? I wish we knew what happened to know just how traumatized he might be. I want him to be happy again. thanks again for your time and help.

[Traci]

I would strongly suggest getting him back in today rather than in two days. The behavior and symptoms you're describing are indications of severe infection and pain. Laying in the litterbox is not a good idea, this will inhibit further bacteria. If he's been on antibiotics for 5 days now and the infection is not improving, this is a red flag that either a stronger antibiotic approach needs to be taken, or that the wound needs to be opened up and flushed, re-sutured if there is necrotic tissue. If there is necrotic skin/tissue and it's not granulating, it needs to be debrided (reopened, flushed, re-sutured, gathering healthy tissue edges together)

When your vet examines the wound, he can tell at that point whether or not he needs to re-amputate. Don't fret over this option, in some cats, it's necessary to amputate the entire tail if infection is that severe, or that blood vessels have been affected (no oxygen to the blood, causing a 'dead' tail)

The wound needs to be kept clean and clear from dirt and debris at all times, your vet can send home with you nolvasan-soaked gauze sponges to clean the wound twice a day, and prescribe a topical antibacterial if necessary. He can also prescribe butorphenol on val syrup to be given orally up to three times a day for pain. He will instruct you on this accordingly.

Please don't wait, get him in TODAY and re-evaluated, he is obviously not responding to the current antibiotic (he may need an additional injection of pen-g, a penicillin). Imagine the excruciating pain he must be feeling, your vet needs to attend to this immediately.

[Traci]

Forgot to answer your other question.....yes, once healed, he should return to his normal happy self. But at this point, he is enduring a painful event, which is affecting his behavior and personality (pain and infection).

[Guest]

we just got an additional antibiotic this morning and will take him in first thing Monday a.m. unless he needs to go sooner, the thinking being that he needs at least 24 hours to see if the new Rx is helping-?? i do hear you loud and clear, though. thanks for all your specific suggestions. i will now have better knowledge to talk to baxter's vet. i very, very much appreciate it. thanks, traci.

[Traci]

Without seeing your kitty and the degree of infection, impossible to say....what is the antibiotic he was on and what is the NEW antibiotic?

Typically, we like to give pen-g injections twice a day for the first few days after an amputation, then usually follow with clavamox, but depending on the severity of the injury and degree of infection depends on the type of antibiotic given.

At this point, I'm concerned with the location and potential for infection that may need to be actually cleaned or flushed. Also, the pain situation, this is a sensitive area for cats. If you can't get him seen today (i.e., your vet can't fit you in), at least call him and talk to him on the phone.....give him a detailed account of what the wound and suture area looks like, if it feels hot to the touch, and ask about oral butorphenol for pain. Being that the weekend is here, you don't want to set yourself up for a potential emergency fee/visit if kitty's infection/symptoms worsen.

[Guest]

i'm at work and don't know the name of the meds he's on but will check. the vet said an e-collar was optional-- do you think that it should be mandatory for the healing process? i don't know what to do about the litter box lounging- maybe not give him access to it except for periods of the day when we can monitor him? i don't want to make him uncomfortable in yet another way, though. i will call the vet as soon as i get home to describe baxter's condition after 12 hours on the new antibiotic. the plan for monday is to reopen and flush the area unless he gets miraculously better, and possibly amputate further. hate to say it, but it actually seems like a rather "inconvenient" length for him now, both for healing and for regular life activities (but he does seem to be able to move it some). also, his appetite is very good. many, many thanks from baxter and i.

[Jen]

from personal experience:

I had a cat who also had a mysterious injury to the end of her tail. A small prtion needed to be amuptated. For some reason she would NOT leave it alone. Ripped the stiches out 3 times. The e-collar did not work becuase she was able to get her tail around it to her mouth. At wits end I told the vet to take off all but a stump, which they did. THEN the e-collar became effective and she wore it for MONTHS!!!!. When the hair grew back and she finally became oblivious that her tail was gone we removed the collar and she was her old self once again.

So, YES, your cat will return to normal, but it may take a bit of time.

[Traci]

The problem (and in Jen's experience too), is that when a tail is partially amputated, because it is an extremely sensitive limb, there is also weight to consider. The tail is almost 'flacid' as it is at times, so when it is only partially amputated, the weight as well as the motions the cats does with it, introduces more pain, causing kitty to self-inflict further problems, or biting and chewing at it. It's a response to pain.

I always recomend an e-collar to prevent kitty from self-inflicting further injury.....the collar can be adjusted to fit properly so he can't reach the area. The only thing I suggest is that with an e-collar and combined with a very energetic kitty, you need to supervise him with an e-collar on (don't want him to get tangled up in it outside of your supervision). If you see him biting at or chewing his incision or wound, you know you need to use the collar.

As for the litterbox, for now simply use paper towels, he should adjust to that fairly ok.....litter and debris can get trapped in the wound and further the infection. Just change the towels twice or more each day.