Swollen Paw Pads

Hi.

I have a cat with swollen front paw pads.  The big pads.  Her toes pads seem OK.

They don't seem to bother her and she walks and jumps normally and isn't always cleaning them or biting at them.  She lets me touch them and squeeze them and doesn't complain so I don't think there's any pain.  Just swelling.  There's a couple of dry bits on them too in places but these again don't seem to bother her.  She's always had slight cracking on all her paws (just like dry skin). 

They don't seem to be getting any worse but have been like this for some time now. 

She's very timid and would get very stressed with a trip to the vets so I wouldn't want to do this unless absolutely necessary especially as she's in no discomfort.

Hi rrigs.Are you using clumping litter or regular clay type?.Do you find litter stuck in her toes at times at all?Has she always had this? Have you always used the same litter?Does she go outside or an inside kitty?.Swollen feet is not normal & although showing no sign of pain means nothing.They are taught from their ancestors to hide pain,even when horrific.Have you tried bathing them in say hibitane cleaner mixed with water water.?Here in Canada hibitane is a red liquid anti bacterial soap safe for cats & dogs.For washing wounds etc.Here it is found at medical supply stores.You would take a bowl add a couple of squirts and add warm water.Try and she may not like it dipping her paw right in it.Some kitties would not like this & pull away.if so just take a soft cloth really damp with the mixture & try to wrap the cloth around the paw & try working in between the toes etc.Itis a very good ,safe cleaner.I would do that like 3 x a day for a week and see if you notice a change.Cat's will only limp when they are in excruciating pain.Unlike us humans who get a sliver & it is the end of the world.LOL If after a week of doing this if no change ask your vet for a med to semi sedate her prior to taking her.This will help her stress level when going to the vet.Sometimes things are in between the pads that a vet sees & wants to do a scraping & observe under a microscope or send away.So her being calmer would be a lot less stressful for her.If you are using an all clay litter you may want to try something clumping & soft.World's best kitty litter is supposed to be excellent & go further than regular litters.HTH C.

Hi. Thanks for the reply.

Are you using clumping litter or regular clay type?

- Clumping

Do you find litter stuck in her toes at times at all?

- No. Her paws are clean and clear.  It's only her big pads affected.  Small toe pads seem OK.

Has she always had this?

- On and off.  Sometimes seems worse than others and then dies right down.

Have you always used the same litter?

Yes.

Does she go outside or an inside kitty?

95% inside.

I will try soaking/washing as you describe to see if they settle down and sooth them.

Every time we think it's bad enough to take her to the vet they seem to settle down again and I'd hate to take her in (sedated or otherwise) for her paws to be normal and the vet find nothing...

Managed to give them a little soak just now. She didn't object too much but her sister didn't help by playing with her tail while I did it.

I'll try and do this a couple of times a day for the next couple of days and hopefully that will help this episode settle down again...