What is this in Cat's Paw- Snake Bite or some Wound?

Hello All,

I am posting here picture of my cat's paw. Please let me know if this is snake bite or some wound. Actually I am feeling helpless and not well since my cat Molu (3 year old Male cat) has not returned home. He was an outdoor cat and came daily back home to have his food. He last came to me in February 23rd 2016 and he was limping on that day. I tried to pick him up to see what is in his paw and I saw that he had some thorn like thing to touch I first clicked the photo of his paw so that I can show to the vet. And when I when I tried to wash his paw with antibiotic Molu growled and did not allowed me to touch his paw and on letting him down from my lap he quickly ran away limping outside. That was night time so I though to catch him up during day but he never returned. I searched for him and after three days I found him limping at one of the terrace of neighbour's house. I called him but he just meowed and when I tried to pick him up again he growled in pain and limping he disappeared again. I again searched for him for many days calling his name, searched every park, street, neighbourhood but did not find him anywhere. I asked about him also but no one has seen him. It has been now more than three months and I do not know where he is.



I showed this picture of Paw to vet and he is confused sometimes he says it is snake bit as there are two marks on his paw and he thinks he must have died due to snake bit hiding somewhere away from me or he says it has some wound. But for me the question is why he did not came back home. He was a brave boy and even he was limping he should have returned home which he did not. And also why he ran away when I tried to touch his paw. He was in pain for sure but he was always back home when he needed me and needed care. But this time it has been many months.I do not even know whether he is alive or dead and if alive why he is not responding to my calls and if dead I did not locate his body. Please look at the images and give your opinion as what is this. It has been so many months and he is not back home I miss him a lot and worried as where he is. Thanks a lot.

I am sorry to hear this. Three months is a long time but don't give up hope. We've had members here whose cats went missing for longer and returned. Have you tried putting up posters in the neighborhood or maybe ads in the paper? It could be that someone took him in, seeing as he was injured and is caring for him. 

As for the picture, if the vet couldn't say what it was, I'm not sure anyone here can. It's hard to tell without actually examining a paw to take a closer look, feel for bumps and swellings etc. 

It could be an abscess, they cause swelling, limping, and pain and when they burst they leave marks, often multiple,like that. Did you see any signs of drainage? The reason I think it may be that is because the cat will often hide or refuse to let someone even get near it. Unless the infection became overwhelming though, I don't see why your cat didn't come home. I have had toms disappear for many months and come back, I'll pray for your boy to\ return to you, I know how much the uncertainty gets to a person, but try not to give up hope. You might get on those radio swap shops (buy and sale) and ask for info on him in your area, a lot of people listen to those and may be able to help. All the luck! 

Thanks Anne. In these three months I have tried everything to locate him but no one came up to say anything about him. Also here people are least interested in cats or dogs and very few people love cats and feed them. But one thing people have created doubt in my mind and that is why I am helpless and more worried as few people here say that may be someone might have caught him for some magic purpose. I do not know anything about these kind of stuff but my only question is why he not returned. He always came back home in time even when he was ill or he was wounded or he was having fun time with kitties he always but came back to me. He was my loving child and I miss him badly. This was his last pic that I took. Please pray Anne that atleast I come to know of him either living or dead otherwise whole my life I will not able to forgive myself for not being able to find him. Please. Thanks once again

Thanks Di and Bob. I did not see any sign of drainage but may be he had abscess but still it has been three months and he never returned. Thanks for your kind words and prayers for my child.