Yellow scab/puss on kittens paw

I just brought home a 9 week old kitten from the SPCA two days ago. I just noticed this morning shes was cleaning her one paw an awful lot, so I took a look, there is a yellowish scab/puss formed between her paw and toe. Shes is still climbing all kinds of things with ease, it doesn't seem to be bothering her in the least bit. All her claws are still there, and she doesn't cry when I manipulate her paw. I just cant figure out what happened. My guess is she fell and managed to grab on with one claw and tore the skin. Any help is appreciated. Shes going to the vets for a checkup very soon anyhow, I'm sure they can tell me, I'm just hoping i can get some information before then.

Thanks in advance!

That may need to be cleaned up by a vet. The problem, of course, is that cats use their paws in the litter box, and that is a great place to get an infection. It may be she had a little cut, maybe a torn claw, and it just goes from there.

However, you CAN clean it up with hydrogen peroxide. Clean it up as much as you can, then pour some more peroxide over it. Don't let her lick it off. Don't use alcohol, which would sting like crazy and be poisonous to the kitten.

Really, a vet should see it just to ease your mind.

Get a small bowl - like a plastic sour cream container or similar. Put an ~inch and a half of warm water and epsom salt in it and soak the kitten's paw 2-3 times a day. Along with some antibiotics from the vet, that should draw any infection out and have it healing up pretty quickly.

Your kitten may not like having a paw in water, but as long as you don't have the water hot it will not hurt at all. Plus you can use this to keep cleaning the foot up without worrying about it damaging any tissue.

This is called Pillow Paw. 

Soaking in Epsom salt will help to keep it clean and speed up recovery.  I suggest you do that now until you can get your cat into the vet. If you do nothing I have seen these wounds get worse.  You might begin to notice a "decay" smell on their paws.

Hydrogen Peroxide: Use 50% mixture with water.

"Historically hydrogen peroxide was used for disinfecting wounds, partly because of its low cost and prompt availability compared to other antiseptics. It is now thought to slow healing and lead to scarring because it destroys newly formed skin cells. Only a very low concentration of H₂O₂ can induce healing, and only if not repeatedly applied." Source: Wilgus TA, Bergdall VK, Dipietro LA, Oberyszyn TM; Bergdall; Dipietro; Oberyszyn (2005). "Hydrogen peroxide disrupts scarless wound repair". Wound Repair Regen 13 (5): 513–9.

The BEST solution: Animax ointment from your vet. 

It is applied directly to the wound.  Try to distract your cat for as long as you can to keep him/her from licking it off.  It will not hurt your pet if it does.  The ointment kills bacteria at the site and also dries the wound out.  I have applied once or twice a day (depending on the severity) and distracted 2 to 5 minutes and experienced the wound healing within a few days.  I put my cat on the floor between my knees for his front paws.  With his head beneath me, I gently take his paw and turn it sideways so I can see it.  I like to go slow so he gets what's going on.  Easier to distract him after if he is not freaking out from the process.  Take the pointy nozzle and apply just enough to cover the wound, running it between the toes and pad of the paw where you have noticed the wound.  Then I tell him he is good and I love him, (basically, say the cats name in a calm tone) and pet him in his favorite spot.  Or give him his favorite snack. 

For the back paws, get someone to help you.  Gently roll your cat onto its side, maybe pretend you are petting its stomach, and have someone hold your pet there, one hand on the shoulder and the other on the hip.  Apply as mentioned above and distract.

Always check the other paws as well.  The sooner you catch this the less applying you'll do.

Pillow Paw tends to break out more in the summer then go with absolutely no out breaks in the cooler months, (so long as it is kept in control).  I've noticed with my long hair cat that the outbreaks are smaller and spread less to the other paws (again, when kept in check) if I keep his hair cut short.  I assume it is because he is cooler.

Pillow Paw, as I have read online, is a type of Plasma Cell Pododermatitis.   Just because your cat has pillow paw it doesn't mean there are other conditions present.  However!  I would like to advise you of two diseases that Pillow Paw can commonly accompany. 

Stomatitis is the swelling/bleeding of the gums.  I have had to have all the molars pulled in 2 visits, 2 years apart by the time he was five.  Let me tell you, it was worth it.  He is a very happy cat and 3 years older now with no more symptoms.  (except the Pillow Paw).  He is one of those special guys with an exceptional personality.  Those cats are well worth the credit card debt to me.  Another symptom that could accompany the swollen gums is a swollen nose.  My kitty has a pink nose and I can tell when he is feeling little down when his nose is dark pink and little swollen.

The other, which I have had no sign of, or experience, is Renal Amyloidosis. (Kidneys).

When I first was trying to find information about what was happening to my Sundown, there were no straight answers.  That is why I took the time to create an account and share my experience.  The doctors that I saw did know right away about the Stomatitis (gums) but did not suggest to me pillow paw when I went in for the wounds.  I would get asked if I were sure he didn't jump onto the stove and get burned or something.  All of the information I have just shared is from experience with my cat and veterinarians, and my beloved Google over the past 8 years. 

Good luck and go get Animax Ointment! :-)