Post-Surgery Cat Tail Amputation: What to Expect & Care

Immediately after surgery:

- The surgical area may be swollen, red, and/or bruised.

- There may be some discharge from the incision site.

- Your cat may be groggy or disoriented from the anesthesia.

- Your cat may experience some pain.

Within a few days to weeks:

- The swelling, redness, and bruising should start to go down.

- The discharge from the incision site should stop.

- Your cat should start to feel more comfortable and active.

- The hair around the incision site may fall out. This is normal and the hair should grow back in time.

Within a few months:

- The incision site should be completely healed.

- Your cat should be able to use their tail normally.

Potential complications:

- Infection

- Bleeding

- Dehiscence (the incision coming apart)

- Nerve damage

- Pain

- Tail necrosis (the tail tissue dying)