Has anyone experienced their cat being diagnosed with plasma cell pododermatitis? Otherwise known as

I recently found a stray kitten ~4-5 months old and took him in. Unfortunately I don't know anything about his history. I brought him to the vet and got a clean bill of health. However, a week later I noticed this wound on his paw pad. I brought him to the vet thinking it was some kind of scratch he got playing or maybe from being outside for who knows how long.

The vet gave us antibiotics and is treating is as a trauma but he also mentioned that it's possible our kitty has a rare auto immune disease known as plasma cell pododermatitis which is not life threatening but can be uncomfortable for the cat. He suggested getting a biopsy done if the paw doesn't heal.

It's been a week now and his foot doesn't look that much better. Part of it looks like it's getting worse actually.. Although it's only one foot his other paws are quite soft.. Or "pillow-y". I really think he has symptoms for this rare disease unfortunately He has an appointment tomorrow but I wanted to know if there are any cat owners who've experienced this disease before.

I've read some treatment methods which generally involve antibiotics.. Creams and shots but I also know this could be related to allergies as well. Diet and litter could also be a factor. I really hope someone can share some insight ! Most articles/forums I've read lacked personal stories and details.

Thanks!

We have not had a thread about this for two years, and suddenly we get  TWO of you with the same diagnosis within half a day of each other!!  I saw this post and said, wait a minute, didn't I just answer this?  No, I did not.  That was another person, so I will just repeat the same thing to you.  It is best to try the medication first, no point in getting a biopsy.  This is the ONLY antibiotic that will work for this condition, and if it does, that is diagnostic in itself and saves you money and saves your cat pain.

An antibiotic with immunomodulating qualities, DOXYCYCLINE, is the treatment of choice for this condition, but they may be on it for a couple of months. This will prevent infection and also treats the disease.  If that doesn't control it, you may have to use steroids.   Depo-Medrol has fewer side effects than prednisone and prednisolone and it can be given by a once a month injection. You have a good vet if he/she was able to diagnose this condition as some are not so familiar with it.  Most vets will try the doxycycline and not put you through the expense of additional lab work or a biopsy if the doxycycline works, and if it doesn't work

Here is a good link to explain it in more detail, and you can print the info and send it to your vet.

http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&S=0&C=0&A=1720

The other thread just started about a cat with this condition is http://www.thecatsite.com/t/315748/pododermatitis#post_3958829

You may want to follow up with each other and compare how your vets handle it.

Thanks so much for both of your replies. I will go to the other thread and try to compare notes with the other poster. This disease is just terrible!I appreciate the help