My cat's tail looks scalped with fur missing. Does it need a vet?

This looks like is may be a bite wound abscess that ruptured. Ideally, it should be addressed by your veterinarian. Surgery may be indicated to clean and flush the wound. Antibiotics and pain medication may also be indicated. Place an e-collar (cone) on him to prevent licking until he sees the doctor. You may need to confine him indoors until he is healed.

Oh ouch! That looks really painful! I would highly encourage you to have him evaluated by your veterinarian as soon as possible. Topical antibiotics may be needed as well as pain medication. Unfortunately there is nothing safe for pain medication over the counter for cats. I agree that the cone is important to keep him from making it worse in the meantime. Best of luck and I hope he improves soon. Thank you for using Pet Coach.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! I'm sorry to hear Sky has been having issues with her tail. It does appear that she has a wound on her tail, either from the original injury or from something unrelated. It is difficult to tell from the picture whether or not the wound is extensive enough to need stitches, but it may need antibiotics to help prevent infection. I would recommend she be re-evaluated by her veterinarian to assess the severity of the wound, and if further treatment and/or antibiotics may be needed for it to heal. Good luck!

You will need to see a vet as it will likely need amputation past the infected part to get to healthy tissue. The skin is growing into the side instead or around the tip and the surgery can correct that and have it healed quickly. It is safe to put regular neosporin on it but do not let her lick it and you can keep it clean with soap and water until you get her seen

Poor Toby! I am sure you feel awful and are concerned about Toby. I cannot tell from this photo the depth of the wound. Sometimes in cats we can get what is called "degloving" wounds where the bone actually becomes exposed. Either way, it looks like Toby needs veterinary care. The wound needs to be cleaned up and may need a bandage to be applied by the vet, and he may need some antibiotics and pain medication. If you wish to discuss this with one of our veterinarians here at Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach you can use our consultation service.

This needs to be examined by a veterinarian today. Please do not wait until after the weekend He will need pain medicine and antibiotics and the vet needs to check whether there is already infection present. He may even have to have part of his tail amputated. Please take him to a veterinarian NOW.

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Poor Smokey! Based on your picture I think that Smokey may have an abscess This is more likely if he also goes outside. The fur should be shaved away and cleaned. If he wants to lick the area an E-collar should be used. He should be kept inside until it is healed. Ideally he should see your Vet and get antibiotics. I hope this helps and I wish Smokey the very best!