Tip of tail is hard

[Burnsy]

I have a 4-year old rescued cat. He has a rough spot at the very tip of his tail. Whenever I try to hold his tail to get a closer look, he hisses and growls. The other day I saw him running around in a circle chasing his tail. Does anyone know what this could be?

[Traci]

Only your vet can say for certain, this could be anything from a wound to abcess to flea allergy dermatitis to hyperesthesia. ( chasing the tail can indicate a parasite, mite, allergy, hyperesthesia and even pain that may not be related to the tail at all, but rather the spine or other area)....please get your kitty examined by your vet promptly.