I am very perplexed and upset and don't know what to do about my 1yr old girl Sophie. She ran outside on the evening of 7/4, and got freaked out by fireworks, or got bit or something, (she was only out for about 30 sec.) and she went crazy. She kept biting the tip of her tail and was very upset. I took her to the emergency vet and they bandaged it, but the next day when her sedative wore off, she saw her tail and became very agitated, bit off the bandage and further chewed her tail. I went back and she had surgery, they removed about 3.5in of her tail that had been so badly chewed, and put a really good, big bandage on the entire tail. She accepted this bandage and went back to her happy self for the next week. Today the vet took it off so the end could heal faster with the stitches, but when I got her home and took her out of the carrier, she was flinging her tail around and saw the end of it, freaked out again, and bit at it again! I had to put her cone on and take her right back so they could bandage it again. I'm worried that next week, when she is scheduled to get it off, the same thing will happen!! Has anyone ever seen this? She is normally such a sweetheart, and hasn't had a problem like this before, I'm not sure what to do but I love her very much and am worried. Sorry this is a long post.
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HELP! My young cat keeps mutilating her tail!!
Replies (2)
This sounds like a very strange case of re-directed aggression. The cat was startled by the fireworks and is taking it out on her tail. Usually they take it out on the nearest animate object!
I would talk to the vet about getting her on meds like Buspar or Prozac ASAP. Since she is hurting herself this behavior must stop and even if the meds make her lethargic it's better for her than self mutilation. Usually cats will "unlearn" a behavior after they calm down and the meds can be gradually withdrawn. Also you might want to see if your vet can recommend a good animal behaviorist - or if your vet knows of any good animal behavior hot-lines. I think Tufts university has one that vets can use.
Good luck.
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You should definately all your vet and immediately request an anti-anxiety medication, whatever he might choose, for your cat. This should help alleviate some of the anxiety about whatever happed to her and get her to calm down and not injure herself further. She can be weaned off the medicaton once she stops this behavior, but the medicaton is better than self-mutilation! She may be lethargic and inactive and "zomed out" for a bit on the meds, but it will be safer for her and you!
Let us know! (amitryptiline is a good med)
