Hi all, I'm new here 
Just as a short intro, my name is Carrie (34), I'm engaged to Kenny (41) and we have 7 cats ranging from 3 months to 5 years and 2 dogs. Thankfully, ALL of our pets get along absolutely wonderfully and love each other very much. 
My 5-month old persian kitten, Brandi, started holding her tail down about a month ago. I took her to the vet - however had to see a different vet than my usual - and he told me not to worry about it, that she will eventually put her tail back up.
Since then, her tail has not gone up. She keeps it curled under her, between her legs. This is especially not good as when she uses the litterbox, she gets poopy all over her tail and then drags the poopy tail with some litter attached all over my house. This cannot be healthy for her as I am at work all day and by the time I get home to wash her, she has either wiped it all over the place or tried to lick it off. I have washed and brushed her furry tail so much that now the last 3 inches of the tail has much shorter hair than the rest of her tail!
I took her back to my usual vet last nite and he gave a very thorough exam. Brandi layed there the entire time just purring. She is very cuddly - you can stand her on her head and she will just purr and head-butt you.
I asked for an x-ray and a fracture was found, about an inch from where her tail starts from her spine.
I have no idea how this could have happened. I know that we have not stepped on her or anything like that, but maybe one of the dogs accidentally stepped on her, or maybe some ruff-play with the other cats? She does not appear to be in any pain.
The vet gave me Prednisone to give her, and said to bring her back in a month and lets hope it heals up.
After a brief wrestle, I gave her the Prednisone and this morning she had awful diarrhea.
I feel so bad for my little Brandi. I shaved her tail last nite in an attempt to at least try to keep her tail cleaner and easier to wash. I just dont know what to do.
Does anyone have any advice? Can the tail heal? What are the chances she'll put it back up? Any ideas on how to reduce the dragging of the poop? I use clumping litter and I have 4 litterboxes.
Thanks so much for reading my long post!
Purrs,
Carrie & Critters
www.cyber-paws.com
Just as a short intro, my name is Carrie (34), I'm engaged to Kenny (41) and we have 7 cats ranging from 3 months to 5 years and 2 dogs. Thankfully, ALL of our pets get along absolutely wonderfully and love each other very much. My 5-month old persian kitten, Brandi, started holding her tail down about a month ago. I took her to the vet - however had to see a different vet than my usual - and he told me not to worry about it, that she will eventually put her tail back up.
Since then, her tail has not gone up. She keeps it curled under her, between her legs. This is especially not good as when she uses the litterbox, she gets poopy all over her tail and then drags the poopy tail with some litter attached all over my house. This cannot be healthy for her as I am at work all day and by the time I get home to wash her, she has either wiped it all over the place or tried to lick it off. I have washed and brushed her furry tail so much that now the last 3 inches of the tail has much shorter hair than the rest of her tail!
I took her back to my usual vet last nite and he gave a very thorough exam. Brandi layed there the entire time just purring. She is very cuddly - you can stand her on her head and she will just purr and head-butt you.
I asked for an x-ray and a fracture was found, about an inch from where her tail starts from her spine.I have no idea how this could have happened. I know that we have not stepped on her or anything like that, but maybe one of the dogs accidentally stepped on her, or maybe some ruff-play with the other cats? She does not appear to be in any pain.
The vet gave me Prednisone to give her, and said to bring her back in a month and lets hope it heals up.
After a brief wrestle, I gave her the Prednisone and this morning she had awful diarrhea.
I feel so bad for my little Brandi. I shaved her tail last nite in an attempt to at least try to keep her tail cleaner and easier to wash. I just dont know what to do.
Does anyone have any advice? Can the tail heal? What are the chances she'll put it back up? Any ideas on how to reduce the dragging of the poop? I use clumping litter and I have 4 litterboxes.
Thanks so much for reading my long post!
Purrs,
Carrie & Critters
www.cyber-paws.com
Carrie. I'm so sorry to hear about Brandi's little tail. I would imagine the reason she doesn't put it up is because it hurts too much. 
I'm surprised the vet didn't put a splint on it. I have never gone through that so I don't know if my advise is right. I will keep you and Brandi in my prayers. Tell us about the rest of your family, too.
Carrie,Preds are normally not a cause for diarrhea,I think only 1% of cats or dogs or people for that matter have that reaction,I have had it prescribed many time for my own pets and foster cats and only had one cat get diarrhea,but must admit it was servere, I would heed Suse advice on the crate.I can think of a hundred ways a youngster of 5 months can get into this type of trouble,really am surprised more of them don't get hurt so do not feel bad on that count.
we chose to amputate and do an early spay as well.. and you would not believe the argument I had to have to have the early spay done back then!! I won... but still it was an argument. She has a stub of tail left.. about and inch or so long.. she looks like a deer 
