Our Alpha Male Tiger lost his tail after he played with a car in April 2001, he had all bar a one inch stump amutated and spent about 3 weeks instead of 3 months on rest - he is a 22lb feral boy but now a sweetheart but at that time didn't do cage well.
He can jump, run, and do all normal cat things and we followed the advioce given by the vet re rest and how to approach life with the changes - sort of a bum lift!
He has now had no tail longer than he had one, has grown to suit it and is a big rumpy stumpy and will answer to that!
PM me if you want some more info - he can be seen on the Clan Cats page in your cats stories he is the rather large tabby on the futon!