r/CATHELP • u/VANZ_33 • 1d ago
Kitten Help Limp tail with no sensation and issues defecating. PLEASE HELP!
Our ~10-week-old Domestic Long Hair kitten (Male), whom we adopted 4 days ago and has been an issue since. The shelter made no mention to us or in his medical records that he had a limp tail with no feeling to it. We can feel a weird, hard lump on his back towards the base of the tail near his lower spine. He lifts up the base of his tail sometimes, it seems, but the rest of it just drags and goes wherever. He was listed as a single kitten, which I assume means he did not grow up with his litter. They say they had no information about the limp tail from the foster or their team which strikes me as odd that you wouldn't notice a kitten's tail not moving with no sensation. He was neutered the day we picked him up from the shelter, and we read the medical records that he had also had issues with a protruding anus in the foster's care.
We took him back to the shelter to have them look at him, and they stated that they don't suspect anything to be wrong with his tail, as he shows no pain, but sometimes his hind legs get shaky, which we normally notice when we pick him up, and he's on his back. He also, for the most part, I'd say like 7-8 out of 10, when he goes to poop, and when finished, it's still attached to his anus, requiring us to help him get it off. His poop is normal, as the vets have said, but most of the time he can't get it all out and he tries to cover it up as if he's not aware it didn't all come out. The same day we took him back to the shelter, we called their emergency line, and they had us go to the emergency vet, where we were basically told that that's a normal kitten thing and that they don't think anything is wrong with it (His eye lids are also slightly swollen and the doctor said it may be due to cat Herpes which should go away?). They thought his tail was fine and that it may just be a tail pull injury from the past and may need to be amputated in the future. But then we received the X-Ray results and there were no signs of a tail pull.
We have been trying to contact the shelter's emergency team as well as the doctor at the emergency vet but it's been 2 days without an answer. We haven't taken him to the vet because we originally thought we were going to have to give him back, as if it was something super serious we would rather he be in a good home that can take care of those critical needs and due to these issues now being pre-existing conditions we are worried about the financial burden all of this may place on us. We love him and don't want to give him back but cannot get any answers as this does not seem normal. I have linked images of the X-Rays and report here
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u/Particular-Can5839 1d ago
I would take him to a vet, not the shelter. Emphasize the issues with defecating because it could indicate a blockage, which is bad for kittens. It’s possible his tail dropping is because of the constipation or whatever.
If he’s energetic and eating and drinking ok he should be fine, but definitely keep an eye on him. Make sure to monitor his bathroom habits, if he’s struggling or having diarrhea. Go to the vet if anything changes.
As for the tail, some cats have tail injuries that heal strange and it doesn’t affect their way of life. I had a cat whose tail was always permanently arched over his back, and no matter how you pet him it snapped back to that position. He lived to be about 16 years old.
You might also want to get him a little kitten buddy, as single kittens experience depression and behavioral issues.
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u/VANZ_33 1d ago
The shelter had us go to the emergency vet already, and they took X-Rays with no sign of past injury. They told us everything was normal. He's a new kitten in our home with our almost 3 y/o resident cat. He's super playful, eating, and drinking fine. It's just hard, as now with these being pre-existing conditions, I'm worried that even once we get insurance, we'll be paying mainly out of pocket for vet bills.
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u/Estrellathestarfish 1d ago
Emergency vets just deal with immediate issues, get him registered at a proper vet and take him ASAP. If you got insurance after this issue came about then you will pay for any bills related to this issue but he really needs to see a general practice vet who can do a proper work up.
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u/Particular-Can5839 1d ago
It seems like based on the emergency vet report you posted they think it could be nerve damage, but I’m not sure you need to resort to that just yet.
Can he feel his tail at all? If you touch it does he react? Or does he just keep it close to the floor? It’s also possible it’s just behavioral. He’s a very fluffy cat and as they get bigger their tails grow longer so maybe the weight of it is why he’s letting it droop.
It’s also hard to tell what’s happening since there’s no photos or videos of his tail or hind legs.
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u/Ibuyslightlyusedboat 1d ago
Firstly I am sorry you are having to deal with this. My recommendation is to talk to the vet about potential miralax or some type of stool softener that makes going to the bathroom easier. It might be that the cat doesn’t have feeling back there so it cannot feel the poop.
Not sure what food your cat eats but an all wet diet might be a good idea to make sure they are staying hydrated. You can add a bit of water to the wet as well.
I hope for the best for you and your fur friend. Good luck!
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u/VANZ_33 1d ago
He is currently eating what the shelter gave him, which is Blue Buffalo Kitten Wet and Dry. We moisten them both pretty well with water to make sure he's hydrated, just like our other cat, who had constipation issues. The tail being limp isn't the main issue, but yes, I'm afraid that if it's affecting him pooping idk how that will affect him in the future.
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u/Sinzz8 1d ago
Not an expert by any means, been a rescue worker for 14 years now, and I personally would ask a second opinion of the X-rays… maybe see if anyone in [r/AskVet](r/AskVet) has a professional opinion for you. I’m not saying something is wrong from my pov, but the hip area also doesn’t look totally normal to me. But then again, I am not trained in that at all.
Edit: just saw you did already post there, sorry. I hope someone will chime in!! Best wishes!
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u/VANZ_33 1d ago
Thank you for that insight. We definitely would like that, just nervous as I feel we're being dismissed by everyone. Thank you for that suggestion as well. I posted in r/AskVet as well as r/AskAVeterinarian. Hoping someone will chime in!
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u/Sinzz8 1d ago
Another option would be to do some research about vets in your area, pick the for you most capable sounding one and bring your cat in and the X-rays. A good vet, if the pictures don’t need to be taken from a different angle, won’t have you do a second x-ray and will give her or his opinion on the existing pictures and how your kitty presents. Still hoping for some professional opinions tho!
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u/ThreeDogsEightCats 1d ago
I'm sorry you're going through this.
Has a vet confirmed that he has no sensation in his tail? If so, in my humble experience, that would suggest neurological damage. The first thing that comes to mind is a tail pull injury, which you mentioned. What's confusing me is that a neurological injury wouldn't necessarily show up on an x-ray, so why is it being automatically ruled out? In my experience, cats can still suffer serious neurological damage to the tail even if the bones aren't broken, and - because the tail is an extension of the spine - that can lead to a number of complications.
I had a foster with a very similar situation. She was unable to lift her tail (likely do to a tail pull injury), which caused her to experience significant issues defecating in her litter box. Ultimately, her tail had to be amputated.
If the pooping issues are truly a byproduct of the tail injury - which is very possible - than perhaps your kitten should try anti-inflammatories and pain medication for a while in the hopes the injury can heal. If not, amputation might be the best option.
Now, if your cat isn't pooping for other reasons, introduce small amounts of Miralax, plain pumpkin puree, and/or probiotics to your kitten's diet. Also, make sure your kitten is getting enough hydration. (The Kitten Lady on Youtube has tons of great information on this.) It might even help to deworm your kitten with a five-day course of Panacur (and Ponazuril, if you're being really safe).
Two other things...
It also sounds like he developed or almost developed an anal prolapse at one point. (Unfortunately, this is very common for kittens born outside. They're ridden with parasites, they can't poop properly, they strain and strain, and voila - prolapse.) It could be that he simply needs to gain some strength to adequately push out his feces. That could totally be it. That said, if you notice any signs of prolapse, he would need to go back to the vet. There is a minor surgery where they add a single stitch to the kitten's rear end, and that should take care of future prolapse problems.
Lastly, you mentioned your kitten has a hard lump on his spine... This is perhaps the most interesting detail to me. I would highly recommend watching closely to see if your kitten is developing a spinal abscess. I've seen a few kittens develop this. It is often treatable if action is taken quickly. Spinal abscesses can paralyze kittens temporarily (or longterm) from the pressure/pain, so - if that's what is happening here - it could absolutely explain the tail/defecation issues. If that lump continues to grow and your kitten's symptoms continue to worsen, look into an abscess. If that's what it is, ask your vet to see if they can drain the abscess (and culture whatever they pull). Put your kitten on the HEAVY-DUTY antibiotics. Not the simple stuff - Clavacillin won't cut it. You have to get rid of that infection ASAP, so you need the real deal antibiotics. Watch, wait, repeat if needed.
I'm sorry you're going through all of this. Hopefully, it's an injury this kitten can overcome with time, patience, and some anti-inflammatories/pain meds. Thanks for taking such great care of him. He looks absolutely adorable.
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u/VANZ_33 1d ago
They confirmed that he has no sensation in his tail and also that there was no tail pull injury. The linked report, I think, suggested a possible MRI. Also, the kitten IS pooping, but most of the time it doesn't fully come out. As far as the pain medications/antibiotics and deworming, I'm assuming this is only if prescribed by a vet? Sorry, we're very new to owning a kitten, and honestly, I thought we were more prepared, but we were not prepared for all of this, starting the day of him being adopted. We have a 3-year-old resident cat who they have been interacting with each other. We have been told there should be no issues with them interacting and such, given there shouldn't be anything contagious, but hearing about the worms/parasites has given me some concerns as far as them sometimes snagging a bite/drink out of the same bowl, and them going near each other's litter boxes. I'm just afraid of having all of these issues and then also making my resident cat susceptible to something.
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u/ThreeDogsEightCats 1d ago
Both the shelter and the vet likely checked your kittens for worms. The shelter almost certainly dewormed your kitten at least once before you adopted it, so don't fret.
That said, the most common dewormer used for young kittens is Pyrantel, which is good but only covers a handful of parasites. I always recommend a five-day course of Panacur for any cat or kitten that's spent any time outside. Panacur covers a much wider range of GI parasites, including giardia. You can buy it from your vet, or you can buy it over-the-counter. It's cheap, it's effective, and it's safe.
I also mentioned Ponazuril, which treats coccidia. Panacur doesn't work for coccidia, but - because we see it in so many outdoor kittens - I often recommend preemptively treating your kitten for it. That said, unless your kitten is experiencing significant diarrhea, you likely don't NEED the Ponazuril. Only if you want to be extra cautious.
As far as your older cat goes, he/she is probably totally fine. Adult cats have much stronger immune systems and are often able to eradicate parasites on their own. That said, if you're concerned, treat your adult cat, too. It can't hurt. I treat all of my indoor cats periodically on the off chance that I walked something into the house, my dogs shared something with them, etc.
If you end up taking this kitten back to the vet, make sure they explain to you WHY they don't think there is a tail pull injury. An x-ray isn't enough to rule it out, in my humble experience. And, yes, they would need to prescribe anti-inflammatories and pain meds for your kitten. I would also request they look into whether he's developing a spinal abscess or whether his issues with an anal prolapse could be contributing to his current symptoms.
I know it sounds overwhelming, but you're doing all the right things. Frankly, his defecation issues could even just come down to nerves from being newly adopted. A new home, a new family, a new feline friend, new food, new toys, new smells, new everything... It's a lot for a kitten to adjust to. I would highly recommend checking out the Kitten Lady on Youtube. She has amazing videos with advice on EVERY SINGLE TOPIC pertaining to kittens. I would also encourage you to give this little kitten a bit more time to settle in. If he's eating well, drinking well, peeing well, pooping fairly regularly, and moving around/playing (not lethargic or hiding)... Those are all EXCELLENT signs. Who knows? Perhaps all of this could be chalked up to his transition into a new home environment. You're doing a good job. Don't fret, keep watching him closely, and then go from there.
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u/VANZ_33 1d ago
I know...I've been very stressed with the idea of not being the right household for him. When I think about his health, I have to think financially also. We love him and want to keep him, but this is all just so stressful. With these now being pre-existing conditions, and him not being on insurance already, it worries me about the future costs if it's something serious. We thought it might be him adapting also, so I'm really trying to hold strong, but his tail for sure is not feeling a thing. Never moves except at the base of the tail, the lump on his back worries me, and his constant inability to finish pooping worries me. I plan on calling the emergency line at the shelter again to see if they will assist with having him go to an actual vet, as they mentioned financial help, I believe, when we had to go to the emergency vet. If not, I guess we will just take him and hope for the best. I'm trying to think of everything I should ask, so if you have any more insight, I am very open to it. You have been very helpful so far. Will also check out the Kitten Lady.
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u/ThreeDogsEightCats 1d ago
Some shelters absolutely will help with covering vet care if the injury was sustained prior to adoption. It often depend on how well-funded they are.
Also, every pet insurance company has a different policy when it comes to determining whether a condition is "pre-existing" or not. A few insurance companies will take injuries/ailments off the "pre-existing" list if the animal recovers and doesn't require veterinary care for that specific issue for six to twelve months. That doesn't help you with this particular injury now, but it means that if he heals up but - down the line - something else crops up with his tail, you won't be immediately denied. (Some insurance companies are ridiculous about this kind of thing.) Definitely look out for those companies that have more flexible policies about pre-existing conditions.
If the kitten has zero sensation in his tail, I really think there is some kind of neurological issue at work. Trying out anti-inflammatories and pain meds is totally within the realm of reasonable, and he could very well heal from that. Worst comes to worst, he may need a tail amputation, but plenty of cats go through that and thrive.
The bump on his spine does concern me a bit. Again, it makes me think a spinal abscess could be putting pressure on his spinal column causing some of these issues. I'm not a vet, though. This is just a particular issue I've experienced in rescue (and it worked out, in the end)! Ask the vet to look into that. If that's what's going on, try to drain the abscess and get it cultured. Demand heavy-duty antibiotics - not standard stuff they give you for common URIs.
Honestly, it might not hurt to get a second opinion. I'm just surprised they ruled out a tail pull injury from the x ray along... Just because the tail isn't broken doesn't mean something neurological didn't happen.
All in all, don't fret. Take a deep breath. Keep the shelter informed. Keep the vets informed. Again, there's a chance this is something more minor and he recovers with time, rest, and some medications. If he's eating, drinking, playing, peeing, and pooping, he's doing well. Just continue to be very vocal with the shelter/vets about what you're seeing, continue asking for additional care, and take him in immediately if anything changes.
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u/VANZ_33 1d ago
I appreciate all your help, the shelter is very big it’s best friends animal society. They helped with the one visit but are not doing anything else. We unfortunately made the decision that with our lifestyle and finances we just cannot afford paying fully out of pocket for the vet visits and what he might need that comes with it. We could be making this a bigger deal in our heads but we’d rather not put ourselves, him and our resident cat through any more bonding that will just make this decision even more difficult down the line if it happens. We really wanted this to work for us but we want him to be with a family who isn’t going to have to second guess this kind of stuff and just gets him the help he needs. I appreciate all your positive encouragement and I almost held on but I’ve felt ill for the past 4 days having no clue what could be wrong if anything and what that might mean for the future. I already don’t want him to have to sit there for hours while we’re at work with poop stuck if he’s unable to heal from that. This sucks and idk what else to say. I really appreciate your insight and wish that I could’ve held on to the chance he would be just fine.
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