Success Story: Kitty Button

Did you know that your cat's tail is an extension of his spine; however, it is naturally more flexible. A cat's tail is used to help them balance as well as communicate to other cats. 

Well, poor Kitty Button managed to really hurt his tail. This adorable 4-year-old Main Coon/Manx/Siamese mix cat is utterly adored by his family. They were very upset when he came home recently with a large amount of his tail exposed. 
 
A cat’s tail can be broken or damaged in numerous ways – sometimes simply by being pulled or caught in a door. If the injury is severe enough, amputation may be necessary, so a vet visit is recommended. While Kitty Button’s family isn’t sure what he may have gotten his tail caught in, they knew it needed attention immediately—Kitty Button was in pain, and his family didn't want the tail to get an infection. So, they took him to the vet immediately, where his tail was amputated.
 
Kitty Button comes from a family of four, with only one person working at this time, so they reached out to Fur Kids Foundation for help with his emergency vet visit.
 
We’ve received a great post on our Facebook page from Kitty Button’s mom: “Thanks to the Fur Kids Foundation, my older daughter has her Cat, Kitty Button who sleeps with her every night and waits for her every day when she gets home from school!”
 
And, we got a nice thank you email: “Kitty Button is doing very well with adapting to having his tail amputated. He’s definitely more needy, and has been staying in the house more, but I'm sure he'll make a full recovery. He’s gotten closer to my older daughter, and prefers to stay in her room with her at night and also when she leaves for school.”
 
If you’re a cat owner, you may already know that cats are masters of hiding pain. If your cat is showing any of the following, he’s likely in some kind of pain, and should see a vet:

1. Decrease in appetite
2. Difficulty jumping or reluctance to move or play
3. Licking a particular area of his or her body, or even an absence of grooming
4. Withdrawn or hiding more often than usual

 
You can read more about the tell-tail signs of pain in cats in this PetMD article, How to know when a cat is hurting.
 
Fur Kids Foundation is grateful for the dedication of our volunteers and supporters who have helped local families stay happy and healthy, and together! If you would like to help Fur Kids Foundation continue to help families in Campbell County, Wyoming with animals, please consider making a tax-deductible donation. The money helps families during a time when they may not be able to afford adequate veterinary care. Check out more Success Stories.