My cat’s tail was broken, only a stub left, and won’t heal; a lump appeared and it cries in pain when moved. What do I do?

After a cat’s tail breaks, take it to a vet for surgical debridement; the surgeon removes infected tissue, and if the tail-bone end is dead, cuts it and dresses the wound daily until healed. From the photo the fracture is severely infected with granulation that will not close, so surgery is needed to speed healing.

If no clinic is possible, clean the stub’s scab and discharge with hydrogen peroxide and iodine, apply ointment with a collar and cage rest; the bone can slowly repair. But home care is painful and resisted, so a vet’s anesthesia is kinder and faster.