Chronic inflamed, enlarged paw pads on all 4 paws

One of my cats has major paw pad problems. All 4 of her paw & toe pads stay swollen, and eventually they pop, ooze, and drain. She has been to the vet multiple times. His treatment is to give her a steroid shot and an antibiotic shot every 4-6 weeks. This makes the swelling go down a little, but it does not go away. 2 vets said it was allergies, now one says it must be an auto immune disorder. Still, all he says can be done is the steroid/antibiotic shots. Over the last few months a small hole has opened in both of her front paws. Vet said they came about to allow for drainage. This disturbs me. She shouldn't have little holes that go completely through her feet.
This all started about 2 years ago. First it was only one paw, and instead of being enlarged it was kind of cracked and bleeding. I've spent probably well over $1000 on her shots and whatnot. Right now it's so bad I can stand it and I don't know what to do. Her little feet hurt! I have looked ALL over the internet and I can't find anything at all similar to what happens to her. Nothing!

Has anyone ever had a similar problem or heard of anything similar? Any literature I can read? Any advice at all?

Thank you for anything you might be able to come up with!

Is your vet thinking Feline Eosinophilic Granuloma Complex ? Maybe it could be plasma cell pododermatitis ?

Could this be litter allergies? What litter are you using? Have you used something like Yesterday news, to see if she gets a little better?
Poor baby

I really don't know if this is relevant, but my sons malamute developed sore red inflamed pads. It turned out to be a yeast infection.

She was the puppy of cross breeding and had a very compromised immune system.

This might be something to ask the vet. But, I would search for second and third opinions for this poor kitty.

Me again. I just googled "sore pads in cats" and a bunch of stuff came up. One I read was www.answerbag.com" Could be Feline Pododermatitis or mushy pad disease or pillow foot.

Try looking there. Hope it helps.

Thank you for your responses!

I can't believe I never came across plasma cell pododermatitis while searching online. I seriously have even been scouring veterinary medical journals and somehow I've missed this. That is exactly was her little paws look like on a good day. And on bad days it looks more like the pictures of Eosinophilic Granuloma Complex.
Thanks so much!! I've got lots of research to do on these.

Hi
I am so sorry you little girl is going through this, it sounds horrible. I am not sure if you can do this but I recommend taking her to a holistic vet. The repeated steroid/antibiotic treatment will compromise her immune system. I hope you can help her soon.
take care
Marina

Oh good! I hope some of the info helps and you can finally find relief for the kitty.

Keep us posted!

Poor kitty I hope you find answers soon so she can get some relief and you know how to treat it.

Good luck and for an answer.

Taryn

Watch those steriod shots- in the long term they can do more damage then good. I too suggest a certified holistic vet, or a feline specialist

I had one with the same problem - she was allergic to the litter. Try changing litter. it may take a little while because the sores that are ozing are going to have to heal, but once they at least scab over and litter can't get back in there that may work. Can you put puppy pads or someting in the litter box instead of litter just to give her pads time to heal?

I was checking for anyone with my same situation. I came across yours. I didn't notice until now that the date is old. Wondering how your kitty is doing with the pad situation. I'm looking into a holistic vet tomorrow. The top of your post sounds just like my cat. Same swelled. Same open on top and oozing. He had an ulcer on his lip before this. Then a tumor in his lip. Then they cat his top lip off I wonder is it connected. Looking at all kinds of cat ailments. So much reading. Thank you all for your input. Good luck little kitty )