Need help with curing paw wound

scarlettbcn

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I am helping a declawed cat that had been outside for the last six months and was limping.  She has an infection on her paw pad. After two rounds of antibiotics a culture was done and the right antibiotic has been given.  So, even though the oozing has stopped and it appears the infection is gone, the wound is not healing, and the vet wants to amputate. It's like the pad will not grow new skin.   I have tried manuka honey, colloidal silver, and recently grapeseed extract.  Maybe I have not used these long enough, but I really would like to heal the skin and not amputate.  She is not in pain.  Can anyone give me suggestions on what to try now?  I would try lavender essential oil, but the research on that seems to be at odds
 

Kieka

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I like Betadine soaks for clearing up infections. Put a few drops of Betadine in warm water and soak for a few minutes if possible. You can also apply the Betadine directly if a soak isn't an option. Just a thin layer as cats tend to lick what is applied.

Has the vet taken X-rays? It is possible that the declaw wasn't done properly and there is some regrow causing the problems. If that is so then a surgery would be needed to properly remove the regrowth. If the vet is talking amputation of the paw or arm that seems a little extreme and I would get a second opinion.

I will say that she likely is in pain. Just not enough to really show it. Cats handle pain differently than people but an oozing doesn't feel good on anyone. I get ingrown toes often and I can get through the day without showing it but that doesn't mean it doesn't hurt. It just means I choose not to acknowledge it because nothing can be done in the moment.
 
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scarlettbcn

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Yes, at the first visit back in Feb, an xray was taken to determine if it was a bad declaw job and to see if there was any visible foreign object.  Xray was normal.  After two rounds of antibiotics, vet did a scraping and sent off.  Two strains of bacteria were identified and one antibiotic (previous antibiotics were found to have no effect whatsoever) was found that killed the bacteria on the culture, so she has been on that for two weeks now.  I also have her on a probiotic which I mix with her wet food and she likes, and I put a few drops of colloidal silver in her water.  I agree that amputation is extreme which is why I'm seeking help.
 

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I would do the Betadine for the infection for now and get a second opinion. Bring all the vet records to the second vet so you aren't duplicating testing.
 

PushPurrCatPaws

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Is she an indoor cat now? How unfortunate that a declawed kitty was let outside. Thank you for trying to take care of her.

Check with your vet about the course of antibiotics... it is possible that, although there is less, or no more, oozing, some bacteria still remains in her system and could warrant a longer course of antibiotics, just to be sure.

It is likely the vet gave you instructions and ways for you to help her to keep her weight off of that foot so the pad can heal. Are you doing that? (I hope she is an indoor kitty now as well.) If her paw pad has been severely damaged, it could take some time for her to build up epithelium again.

Your vet should be able to professionally determine what kind of state the cat's paw pad(s) are in, and decide on the best course suited to the cat's best interest.
 
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scarlettbcn

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Yes, she is now an indoor cat.  At my request, the vet has extended the antibiotic that worked on the culture for another week.  We had been keeping the pad wrapped and were putting either honey or Aquaphor to keep it moist.  She has now become an expert at getting the bandage off, so for the last week, she has been without a bandage.  I agree that it can take a while for granulation to occur, and if the infection is now gone, I'm wondering if I should continue to wrap and keep moist.  I felt the vet had given up at our visit on Monday and just wanted to do the amputation - even though the infection was clearing up.  He was frustrated that the wound was not healing.  I'll try to take a picture today so everyone can see what I am talking about.  Thanks so much for your help!
 

PushPurrCatPaws

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Had your vet told you to use honey or Aquaphor and to keep it moist?
 
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scarlettbcn

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Yes, but to do that it has to then be bandaged to keep the moisture on.  So this past Mon (Mar 27), the vet basically saw no reason to further the process since he wants an amputation solution.  I am not willing to do that yet.
 
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