Cat's Heel Won't Heal

My cat started balding on her hind heels early this year and one began to scab. I took her to the vet to have her tested. It wasn't cancerous and they figured it was likely allergies. So they sent me home with antibiotics and steroids as well as a cone. The medicines have done nothing and it's been a few months of vet visits and wrapping up her poor foot. I accidentally fell asleep after taking her cone off for a breather and she licked the wound open and bled everywhere. I cleaned and bandaged it. I've just started using Medi-Honey to dress the wound which is helping a little.

Has anyone had an issue like this? I just want her poor foot to heal so she doesn't have to wear the stupid cone.

She eats a basic recipe diet, gets Evolution flea medicine on her neck once a month and drinks enough water.
Maybe she's allergic to her litter? I'm seriously just throwing out guesses and have maxed my cards on all the vet bills up to now.

Help!
-Owner of an Adorable 12-year-old Manx

I haven't had any experience like this but think your idea on litter is an interesting one and well worth checking out.   What a shame she has had to wear a collar for so long, I imagine it is stressful for her which won't help what ever the cause is.

Definitely worth trying something different, preferably one without scent and dust free. Don't buy a huge quantity until you are sure she will use it, then enough to see over several weeks whether her leg heels better.    Is a clay litter you use at present?   If so, it is worth trying something not based on clay.  You might need to keep offering the litter she is used to as a choice, at least initially in case she refuses to use the new one.

Thanks for your reply! I've been using a dust-free litter for a while, now, but it's arm and hammer. Maybe the scent and/or chemicals they use are an issue. I'll try your suggestion. I also read that cats can develop dust allergies. Not sure how test that out. [emoji]128513[/emoji]

One of my boys had a non healing wound inside his back leg. Did not test positive for anything. Tried two oral antibotic and three different spray and creams.The only thing that seemed to work was laser therapy. I wrapped it in coban like they use for horses that sticks to itself but not the fur so he did not have to wear the cone of shame.

I've been dressing with Medihoney and wrapping with medical rolled cotton and coban. Thought she might try to chew it off, but I should take the cone off to see if she does. Thanks for that recommendation. I'm curious about the laser therapy. Is that meant to expedite the healing process?

Yes, the laser therapy helps with blood flow to the area and promotes healing.

Ok, thanks! I'll look into this.

UPDATE: After thorough research, I really think that this is allergy related and could be due to dust allergens on bedding and other areas where she is sleeping/spending most of her time. I'm going to get an air purifier and thoroughly wash bedding and get dust covers and see what that does. Thank you for those of you who replied and if anyone does have a cat with a dust allergy and has any tips, let me know!

Good luck with finding a way to settle her ankle wound.  It can be so hard once something is bothering them and they have started to lick the area.  

Worth thinking about all the cleaning products you use as well as the litter etc.