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Management of tail pull injuries in cats
Author(s) -
Davies Emma,
Walmsley Gemma
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
in practice
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.211
H-Index - 25
eISSN - 2042-7689
pISSN - 0263-841X
DOI - 10.1136/inp.d7449
Subject(s) - medicine , perineum , presentation (obstetrics) , noxious stimulus , intensive care medicine , surgery , receptor , nociception
Feline tail pull injury is a challenging condition that is commonly encountered in first‐opinion practice. This article discusses the key factors in the diagnosis, prognosis and management of tail pull injuries, including the use of radiography to confirm sacrocaudal luxation, and the identification and appropriate treatment of associated urinary and faecal dysfunction. It also highlights the importance of good owner communication, as currently the best prognostic indicators at the time of presentation for the return of continence (the conscious perception of noxious stimuli applied to the perineum or tail base) are not infallible and recovery can take weeks.