A cat named Fern with an injured long fluffy tail wears the cutest and most crafty bandages while it heals.
Maple and Fern are two rescued and adopted cats who live with veterinarians in Canada. When the inseparable sisters were five months old, they encountered Maple at work while she was there for treatment. Then, they adopted her along with Fern from a shelter on Prince Edward Island.
Maple and Fern shortly after arriving in their new home. Images and media via Instagram/maplexfern
As you can see, both domestic medium-haired cats have luxurious floofy tails with a little Maine Coone in their ancestry.
The kittens at 9 months old
While the grey and beige Fern is named for the silver fern of New Zealand (the vet’s previous home), the orange Maple is named for the Canadian maple leaf. Both are occasional adventure cats who venture out on excursions while wearing a harness.
“A snapshot of Fern walking on the ledge of the Moraine Lake lookout and having stage fright from the crowd of people trying to catch her attention 😹👀”
Recently, Fern caught the tip of her fluffy tail in a door, degloving the end. While it healed, his hoomans came up with creative ways to protect it with cute bandages you have to see for yourself (see video below).
Fern Injured Her Tail in a Door
First, Fern’s hoomans discovered little drops of blood in the house. Then, they realized the cat’s tail was injured. As vets, they knew just what to do for her, including pain meds and antibiotics for cats.
Despite the tail injury, Fern was otherwise acting like it didn’t bother her much at all. However, they determined that the exposed bone would need to be surgically removed to heal properly without becoming seriously infected.
“Obviously, her tail is still wagging, and she doesn’t really care, but things have to be done about it!” they posted to Instagram.
Despite degloving her tail, she would be able to heal, and the floof would grow back without affecting her appearance. The next morning, she and Maple went to the vet’s office. To offer emotional support and “work distraction,” Maple would come along.
Maple consoles Fern
Fern Undergoes Surgery
Once sedated, Fern underwent the procedure fine and awoke in her hooman’s arms with Maple by her side. Being a “trooper,” she soon began eating some kibble even though she was still groggy. Back at home, the cat got treats to help with recovery.
At first, Fern wore a collar to keep her from chewing her sutures. Sometimes, they took it off with supervision. But whenever she began chewing, the collar went back on. Then, one night, the “cone-head Fern” managed to pull her bandage out overnight.
Eventually, the cat saw her tail, “freaking out” and even acting “terrified” when she saw the bald stubby tip. Perhaps, she thought it was “a snake or something?” they guessed. Due to her behavior, they initially resigned to keep the cone on until her floof grew back.
Tail Bandages Life Spirits and Prevent Chewing
At that point, they began using the cute bandages. When they took off Fern’s cone, they found it worked great to discourage her chewing and keep her calmer. At the same time, it also kept Maple away from her tail. One of her first creative bandages was an orange one they called the “Traffic Cone,” which she wore with her blue cone. (picture above)
For ten days, they would put some real artistry into Fern’s tail bandages.
Fern’s Creative Tail Bandages
With some creativity, Fern made a fun fashion statement with her tail bandages.
The Spring Onion
“Being positive and creative during this ordeal 🥲❤️🩹 Which bandage theme was your favorite? ✏️🐱” They write.
Some of the cat’s temporary tails:
- Mermaid 🧜🏿♀️
- Flower 🌼
- Canadian Flag 🇨🇦
- Spring onion 🧅
- Snake 🐍
- Carrot 🥕
- Banana 🍌
- Caterpillar 🐛
- Traffic Cone 🚧
- Pencil ✏️
Enjoy the video from Maple & Fern below. Which of these tail bandages is your favorite? Before long, Fern and her pretty sister, Maple will surely be back to majestic adventures in the scenic outdoors. So, follow along on Instagram for more.
