My cat went missing and came back tonight, but I’m not sure it’s mine, and its tail fur has fallen off leaving only bone
Expert Answer
It is possible for a black-and-white (cow) cat’s coat to change from white to black. When cow cats are born their fur is sparse, which makes them look white. As they grow and take in more nutrition, the fur becomes thick and coarse and gradually reveals its true color.
A cow cat’s fur can also darken from contact with foreign substances. You can judge whether this cat is the one you lost by comparing its previous habits and preferences with this cat’s behavior.
My cat came home after being missing with her tail fur gone and bone showing and the article's right, any open wound that deep with bone exposed is an emergency, not a wait-and-see. I got her to a vet fast and they cleaned and treated the exposed area before infection set in. If your cat returns injured like this, don't try to treat it yourself, get him or her to a clinic now, because an exposed bone invites rapid infection and tissue loss, so speed matters more than anything.