“Tail pull injuries can affect both mobility and bladder function, requiring careful management over time.”
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Louis Thackery is one of the most divine, sweet, handsome and all around cool cats you’ll ever find, but sadly for Louis he is a little too adventurous.
He is only a young cat but it’s the young males that do seem to be most prone to getting into trouble outdoors, roaming around a lot.
When Louis was around 16 months old, he came to grief with a car. His owners found him inside one evening dragging and unable to use his back legs after only having been outside for just a few moments.
They brought him straight into the veterinary hospital where he was found to have suffered some trauma to his hindquarters area.
Louis had suffered a tail pull injury
The trauma of being hit by a car had caused what is known as a “tail pull” injury, where the section of the vertebrae that is located near the base of Louis’s tail had been pulled apart and separated from the pelvis.
When a tail pull injury is as low as this it can cause serious damage to the nerves that control bladder function and unfortunately Louis was unable to empty his bladder at all.
Louis also sustained nerve damage to his back legs, as well as a lot of bruising, which was why he was unable to use his back legs properly. So, despite putting on an unbelievably brave face, Louis the cool cat was actually quite a mess.
Euthanasia was simply not an option
Luckily for Louis, he has the most amazing and dedicated parents.
They had only brought Louis home from cat rescue at 6 months old with his brother Harry and the two were firmly entrenched in the family, together with their older brother Tom who had already been with the family for quite a while.
There was no way euthanasia was going to be considered without trying to get Louis back to good health, so the rehabilitation began.
Firstly, Louis had his tail amputated and he recovered amazingly well from this.Then began the daily grind of emptying his bladder manually a few times a day, initially in hospital and then at home, while also administering a cocktail of various medications to help with the pain and inflammation, as well as to help get Louis’s bladder and hind leg functions back to normal.
“Recovery from serious trauma often depends on consistent care, monitoring and ongoing veterinary support.”
Louis is now pretty much back to normal
Skip to a few months later, after some serious work from Mum and Dad and beyond all expectations, Louis is now moving freely and is pretty much back to normal, climbing and jumping around!
Louis’s bladder control, while not 100%, is pretty good too.
We did try tapering him off the special medication but sadly, his urinating deteriorated, so we’ve restarted him on it again and he’ll probably need these for a while yet.
However, his quality of life is pretty normal, and he now has a whole lot of street cred!
Louis has remained bright and affectionate throughout this whole process and thankfully did actually enjoy cuddles from me whenever I went over for his checkups, which were quite often at the beginning.
Louis’s injuries were certainly serious enough for most people to have considered euthanising him, a decision which would have been supported by us all.
But due to his sheer determination and the amazing love and dedication of his owners, Louis is now back to his bright, active and cool self…
…and the family bonds couldn’t be stronger!
Key Takeaways
- Serious trauma can cause nerve damage affecting mobility and bladder function
Injuries to the lower spine can impact both hind leg movement and the ability to urinate. - Recovery may involve ongoing management and monitoring
Treatment can include surgery, medication and daily care to support healing and function. - Progress can vary depending on the severity of injury
Improvement in mobility and bladder control may occur over time, but not always completely. - Consistent veterinary support plays an important role in recovery
Regular check-ups and guided care help manage complications and track progress.
In-Home Services
In-home care forms the foundation of how we treat and manage your pet’s health. Most conditions can be assessed, treated, and monitored in a familiar environment where pets are calmer and easier to handle. Available to residents of Sydney’s inner city, Inner West, Eastern Suburbs and the Lower North Shore.
Testimonials
Debby Ross
First visit from Ari and Ellie and it went beyond all expectations. They were so genuinely interested in my two cats. Of course I couldn’t stop talking about them but they clearly were not bored. Did excellent health checks and vaccinations – was an absolute pleasure and I would totally recommend them to anybody. So fabulous having no stress of lugging…
Daniel Birchall
Elle’s exceptionally professional, warm, and helpful phone manner, together with Dr Ari’s prompt arrival, gentle approach with Hudson, and clear, thorough medical explanations and recommendations, immediately put my mind at ease. The high level of care and professionalism demonstrated confirmed that contacting VETaround was the right decision.
Amanda Yeates
Ari is the best vet ever. His home visits are incredible. Such a great service to not have to put your beloved pets in the stressful situation of a car. Or around sick pets in a waiting area. My cats LOVE HIM. Ollie my male cat NEVER comes out of hiding when visitors come over. With Ari, he not only came out, let him weigh him, have his check up done…
Charmaine Caffrey
I was very pleased with the ladies from VETaround Mobile vet. Professional, polite and very knowledgeable. Certainly eased my mind about my cat 🐈 would recommend them to anyone needing good veterinary care for their pet. We all know just how important our four legged friends are!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a tail pull injury in cats, and how does it happen?
A tail pull injury occurs when the base of the tail is forcefully separated from the pelvis, often due to trauma such as a car accident. This can damage the nerves that control movement and bladder function. The severity of the injury determines the level of impact.
Can a cat recover from nerve damage after a tail injury?
Recovery is possible in some cases, but it depends on the severity of the nerve damage. Improvements in movement and function may occur gradually over time. Some symptoms, such as reduced bladder control, may persist.
Why can a tail injury affect a cat’s ability to urinate?
The nerves that control bladder function are located near the base of the tail. When this area is damaged, the signals required to empty the bladder may be disrupted. This may require manual assistance.
What treatment is involved after a serious tail injury?
Treatment may include surgery, such as tail amputation, along with medication to manage pain and inflammation. Ongoing care can involve assisting with bladder emptying and monitoring recovery. Regular veterinary review is important during this process.
How long does recovery take after a traumatic injury in cats?
Recovery time can vary depending on the extent of the injury and the response to treatment. Some improvements may be seen within weeks, while full recovery can take longer. Ongoing monitoring helps assess progress.
When is euthanasia considered for severe injuries in pets?
Euthanasia may be considered when injuries significantly affect quality of life and cannot be managed effectively. This decision is based on factors such as pain, mobility and overall well-being. In this case, treatment and recovery were pursued instead.