non-healing paw infection/inflammation

I'm going sick with worry over Max's paw.

He presented with something that looked like a fungus/mold in mid-April.  We did a course of Clavamox to cover both the paw issue and slight URI he developed post-neutering.  A week later, the paw became swollen and ER vet prescribed Cephalexin.  Regular vet augmented Cephalexin with topical antifungal cream and twice-daily soak in Novalsan.  After this course, returned for one more round of Clavamox.

Now, we are wiping clean with Novalsan twice a day and putting a thin layer of Neosporin on.  Paw seems quite inflammed but less pussy.  Vet scraped it on Sunday and it was most definitely worse on Monday, complete with tiny "blackheads" which have since cleared.

It seemed best with the Novalsan soak and 24 hour E-collar use.  We took the E-collar off and he's been getting at it, and I think making it worse.

Background:

9 month old neutered male, otherwise healthy.  FIV negative.  Fungal tests came back negative.  Nothing seen when viewed under microscope.  Negative for mites, ringworm.  Vets have NO IDEA what this is.  Current thought is that it's stubborn infection/inflammation from possibly a bite or trauma/foreign object.  Otherwise eating/pooping/drinking/playing fine - he doesn't seem to be bothered by it and isn't limping or avoiding putting weight on it.

We have an appointment for a steroid shot (and antibacterial shot) tonight, and I'm scared about the side effects .  We'll be out of town (having people stay overnight, including a vet tech part of the weekend), and I feel like I'm losing my mind with worry!

This morning, it looked like the middle toes were just awfully red and swollen and almost rough, like they'd had a scab grown over them.

Photos

Top: about a week ago.  Current state is swollen, possibly some drainage?

Middle: first presentation of problem / about a week after first presentation

Bottom: about two weeks in

I would be worried too! How can we not??!! Have you considered that it could be the type of litter you are using that she could be having a reaction too? It sounds like you went through all of the proper tests and they all came back negative. So, for me, that leaves allergies to something. :dk: Might be time to do some detective work and eliminate one thing at a time and see if there is improvement. Could also be something in the diet that is causing the inflammation, sores and swelling on the feet. What about cleaning products that you may be using to clean the floors and the cat pan? These are just all things to consider at this point. In the meantime, I would suggest getting some Colloidal Silver and here is the one most of us have on hand This will last you a long time and you can use it full strength on those sores starting with four times a day. Internally you would need to dilute the product with distilled water. You don't need to use it internally only use it on the sores. It is great for humans alike!!

p.s. The steroid shot will help with this problem. But, still, need to find out the cause. :nod:

he's on feline pine now, was on world's best.  when i clean it's always with seventh generation or method products (supposedly "all natural").  there's a possibility it could be food or allergies, but it's localized to this one paw and hasn't appeared anywhere else - i think that's why the vet thinks it was a bite/trauma/foreign object.  i guess it's possible he stepped on my cactus when he first came?!  (since removed!)

I agree that colloidal silver helps to heal when applied locally to areas that don't get a lot of air exposure. I think I said in another thread once- my surgeon used it on my incision a few years back, when it was slow to heal and they needed the area to be ready for radiation. He is the highest rated surgeon in his field in Chicago and in the Castle Connolly best doctors every year as voted by other docs. It does work.

Another question, did the doctor recommend putting L-lysine in your cat's food? That might also help his immune system. 

yes, we've tried lysine - but it gives him the runs!

It may be that he did step on the cactus and the end of a spine is still in there.

Odd now that I find out it is only on the one paw. ..... That has me stumped. :uuh: for an answer to this for your sake and your kitties.

Would an X-ray show if it were a needle? Or maybe that paw is used differently, or chewed on more?

BarbB said:

Would an X-ray show if it were a needle? Or maybe that paw is used differently, or chewed on more?

Click to expand...

i don't know if an x-ray would show it. If it were just the tip of a needle, it would be quite small. As far as using it differently, or chewing on it more, only observation by you would answer that.

maxysmama, did you find out what was wrong yet? My 10-month-old is having the exact same problem and it looks the same! She's been on antibiotics for 3 days, and the swelling came down a little bit, but not very much. She's otherwise perfectly healthy, running around like the crazy kitten she is. But she's limping and the paw is still swollen.

HonkyTonk said:

maxysmama, did you find out what was wrong yet? My 10-month-old is having the exact same problem and it looks the same! She's been on antibiotics for 3 days, and the swelling came down a little bit, but not very much. She's otherwise perfectly healthy, running around like the crazy kitten she is. But she's limping and the paw is still swollen.

Click to expand...

HMM and is it just one paw on your kitty too?

Any news, Maxysmama??? :cross:

Yes, just one of her front paws. The rest are fine. 

Hi there,

Came across your post and wondered how did it resolve? My girl, some how, has exactly the same issue. Though, no plants, no objects, no food change, nothing that could indicate something.. Initial though, perhaps bug bite? Uploading the image to show how it looks.. Only one paw, haven't gone to vet yet, but worried sick.. 

oh, poor baby!! is it bloody or fungus-y? max had several rounds of antibiotics before it cleared up. he was diagnosed with eisiniphilic granulomas on his leg and environmental allergies, kind of asthma-y at times. we control it with air filters, an allergen-free wet diet, cleaning, and closed windows. the granulomas flare up from time to time. we found an excellent feline dermatologist to help with his allergies. the paw did eventually clear up, but it took a looong time; it hasn't returned, though! good luck! let us know what vet says!