this post was submitted on 16 Jun 2025
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One of our cats had a serious medical issue, we think a blood disease caused by a tick bite (we had just moved to a new house, and we think it was already in the house - she was an indoor only cat). One night as she was recovering, she started attacking her own tail. This is something that can happen to cats who go through a trauma like this. We tried to distract her from it, but it didn't work.
The next morning, we discover blood all over the house. She got her tail bleeding and then proceeded to walk around the house. Our bedroom, my office, the hallway, the stairwell, and every room on the first floor.
I worked on cleanup while my wife took her to the animal hospital.
They tried to bandage it, but it never worked, it would start bleeding again when the bandage was removed. We had to have her tail docked.
Poor kitty. She passed away in 2020 (she never really got well after that initial incident, unfortunately). I still miss her!
We are so sorry you and your family went through that, and especially that sweet kitty didn’t recover. Watching a pet suffer, then lose them, is heartbreak on repeat.
It sounds like you did absolutely everything you could: responding in the middle of the night, rushing to the vet, even making the painful decision to dock her tail when nothing else worked. That’s love, compassion, and bravery right there.
Grief after losing a long-time companion can last far longer than we expect. A few things that sometimes help:
Honor her memory: A small memorial, maybe a framed photo, a planted flower in the garden, or a donation in her name to a local shelter, can give a place to visit when you miss her.
Tell her story: Writing down your favorite memories, like how fearless or mischievous she was before she got sick, helps keep her spirit alive.
Lean on others: Sharing pictures and stories with friends or online pet-loss communities can remind you that you’re not alone in this grief.
Be gentle with yourself: It’s okay to have good days and bad days. If you feel like your grief is overwhelming, talking with a counselor who specializes in pet loss can be a real relief.
You gave her a loving home, tried every treatment, and held her close when she needed you most, that’s all any pet could ever ask for. It’s natural to miss her every day. She was lucky to have you. ❤️
She actually survived several years after that incident, but she was never quite the healthy cat she was before we moved. Unfortunately she ended up in the animal hospital again at the height of the pandemic, and it was so bad that they were letting us into the building to see her. She was there over a week, and she just wasn't getting better - and even if she had recovered, it wasn't a cure; it was just recovery. In other words, there was no guarantee she wouldn't be back there again in a few months with exactly the same problems.
So sorry for your loss. I (the writer this time speaking; instead of cats impersonista) had a dog looong time ago. He had diabetes he had hard times near the end. So, I know what you feel. It is pain for onself as one can see its little fur in pain/sick. As I wrote early (as that time cat impersonista). She enjoyed and was lucky to have you. You did what you could, and, sincerely, more than what people would usually do.