Hi - I have a 5 year old Maine Coon male.
Last year he constantly licked a patch on his tail until it became bald. Eventually he developed a sore (like an abscess) which then burst. He has had this problem now for over a year where he has several small sores on his tail. I have seen the vet who diagnosed a micobacterial infection and presecribed antibiotics and steroids. The medication helps the condition but does not cure it - as soon as the month is up, the sores are back.
He has talked about amputating the tail but I am concerned that if he does and the same problem developes on his stump, where do we go from there.
I have been treating him at home for the past few months but we would all love there to be an end to this.

If anyone has any suggestions I'd really love to hear them. Currenlty his tail is bandaged all the time as he won't leave it alone - the vet agrees that this is OK.

I'm sorry to hear about the problems your boy is having.

I have some experience with MC bacterial infections. Has a swab been taken of the infection to identify the particular bacteria giving the problem? It takes about a week for the results but then you'll be able to target it with a narrow spectrum rather than a wide spectrum antibiotic.

I know when one of my girls had a nasty infection, the initial antibiotics didn't work and she was getting worse all the time until we found out exactly what the bug was and the vet could give her the exact antibiotic to treat it.

Thanks for your reply. No, swabs haven't been taken although the vet did initially mention it.
I have been treating at home, keeping it clean and covered as the treatment is not a cure, it only works temporarily.
Do you think I am right in my reasons for not wanting the amputation?

Don't let the vet amputate the tail. There is more going on here than bacterial infection. He could have an autoimmune disorder, eosinophilic granuloma complex (EGC) or Feline Hyperesthesia Syndrome (FHS).

It could be an allergic reaction to something. It could be stress/behavioral related.

Please, get a second opinion with another vet, preferably a dermatology specialist. Ask about atopica (cyclosporine) which has been very effective in cases like this (for allergic/autoimmune issues, EGC)

If it is stress/behavioral related a medication called amitriptyline may help.

What are you feeding him? Perhaps he just needs a diet change. Something that contains no artificial anything, no dyes, no grains. Perhaps a different protein source.

Look up these disorders I have mentioned here. There is much to look into before subjecting him to what is probably an unnecessary surgery.

Has blood work been done?

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If it's an opportunistic mycobacterial infection then the amputation might solve the problem, subject to any reinfection which I guess means keeping everything as clean as possible.

I do think the swab and culture is a sensible idea though, before anything as drastic as amputation is done.

I hope someone more knowledgeable is along soon.

Hi - thank you for your post. My vet is excellent but seems to have drawn a blank on this one. With regard to his diet, he eats prescription diet as the poor soul also has a bladder problem.
I don't think that he is stressed or anything like that, apart from this issue with his tail, he is one of the happiest cats I've ever seen or owned.
My partner agrees with the vet the tail should come off but I've grave concerns.
He does lick and scratch all the time but there is little or no traces of fleas.

Seeking a second opinion does not mean you don't trust your vet. Vets are not gods and do not know everything and an excellent vet will admit when s/he is stumped.

You can't put a tail back on once it is gone. There are just too many other things that could be wrong. And if it is something else, it will continue once the tail is gone.

Stress is relative, and no one can know what might stress a cat. The fact that he has urinary tract issues points to stress, also.

Allergies can present at any time. I understand why he is on a prescription diet, but that does not mean he doesn't have an allergy to something in the food. There are several FLUTD prescription foods to choose from.

"Little to no sign of fleas", what does that mean? A cat with a flea allergy can be driven crazy by one flea bite. Is he on flea treatment?

Don't give up on him now. Look further before taking this irrevocable step.

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He is always on flea treatment so there are never any present.
I have recently changed his brand of urinary food - he prefers dry. He was on Royal Canin but he now has Hills.
I would never give up on him, I just wish he didn't have this condition.
The first vet I saw with him only diagnosed an abscess and it was obviously more than that which was why I changed surgies, technically I am on my second opinion.
I'm glad that others are as opposed to the amputation as I am. At the moment, this problem is contained to a small area, if it spread through the stump we'd have nowhere left to go.

I agree with others above that there are many things to be explored before
heading for amputation.
As a starting point I would be supplementing with Evening primrose Oil and also Fish oil ( alternate days maybe, just a couple of drops ) as these can both calm an irritated itchy skin and have a natural anti inflammatory action.

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Nellie Paddy Mitzy Milo Peggy Murphy

Millie and Monty, the White Devils!

Thank you for your post. I currently give him Denes Greenleaf and Rhus Tox for his joints so I'm a bit concerned about giving him too much.
I am using some antiseptic cream for cats at present which does seem to help him.
I'm pleased to see so many of you are against amputation.