Semi-Feral cat with limp tail

[Pen]

A few days ago one of our semi-feral cats seems to have had something happen to his tail - he doesn't seem able to hold it aloft anymore. There is some side to side movement in it and its not dragging on the ground and he's feeding ok. My dilemma is he's never been picked up so catching him and taking to vet would be traumatic for him and we would probably never get near him again. What would people advise?

 

[Meowy Catkin]

Keep an eye on it. Our black feral had a very similar issue and his tail improved with time. I had however found out where there was a cat trap that I could borrow at short notice, if required.

 

[HappyHollyDays]

One of my girls had a tail she couldn't raise properly and it turned out to be an abscess at the very base where one of the others had bitten her. Once it burst she returned to normal. Hopefully your boy has something similar and will self cleanse the wound although antibiotics do help.

 

[Teajack]

As above, thought my old cat had broken his tail once but it was an abscess. Might be possible to give him antibiotics in food?

 

[JillA]

Local cat rescue loaned me a humane trap when one of mine was on three legs. It took him about 3 minutes to find the tin of sardines and the trap to shut on him - he was VERY cross!! But the vets sorted him - castrated him, tested for feline leukemia (if it's positive they have to PTS) and sorted his old injury. He was angry but soon came round for their regular meals and is now much the better for it. Get your local rescue to help you and get him to the vet - a bit of trauma is a small price to pay for ongoing health

 

[Pen]

Many thanks for all suggestions. Will give it another day or two and then see about getting trap/antibiotics in food. Cats came from Cats Protection completely wild but neutered etc. Unfortunately cat in question, Frank, is the most suspicious and unconfident one.

 

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

I'm a fosterer for Cats Protection, and have a "humane trap" which can be used to capture ferals.

If you get hold of your local branch then they'll be able to help you, and certainly if the cat concerned has been adopted as one of their ferals, then that would be your natural solution to the problem.

(edited) Whereabouts are you OP? I'm in Devon........

 

[Pen]

Oh I'm in Scotland but will definitely get in touch with local CP re a trap if no improvement soon.