BLACK GUNK IN PAW

[kaycee29]

I need some help with figuring out what's going on with my 6 month old kitten. He's an indoor cat that goes outside supervised (harness, leash and backpack) usually just backyard and parks when we go on walks. We noticed his back paw last month had a black lining around the pad with nothing else being out of the ordinary and then after time paw pad started getting crusty around the edges. We saw similar pictures on the internet (no diagnosis though) and put him on probiotics (proviable) which seemed to clear it up. We've tried chamomile soaks and epsom salt soaks as well. After a week or so we smelled something awful and noticed now his front paw looked awful. His paw was so swollen and the paw pad itself and edges were black with what seemed old blood and it was just crusty and looked raw. We've gone to the vet she has no idea what it is sent us home with antibiotics which has few or no change at all. Please help with any recommendations or any diagnosis we have no idea how to help.

 

[silent meowlook]

Hi. He needs to see the vet. This should be as soon as you can. There is a condition cats can get that affects the paw pads. Best to get the proper medication before it gets any worse. It is also painful. I’m not saying this is what it is, but it is highly suspicious of it based on appearance.

 

[neely]

What type of antibiotic did your vet prescribe? I agree he should be seen by a vet but since you said your vet has no idea what it is you may want to consider going to a feline only specialist. From the looks of the third pic it could possibly be Pododermatitis. Here is an article that discusses this in more detail: Pillow Foot (Pododermatitis) in Cats | PetMD
Best of luck and please keep us updated.

 

[silent meowlook]

Hi. I’m sorry, I missed the part where you said he had seen a vet. I would either get a referral to a feline only vet or a dermatologist.

 

[kaycee29]

Clavacillin and she actually left a message thinking that's what it is! Hopefully I can figure out the trigger or see if he needs to be put on a daily medication. Nonetheless, we'll see what the vet says and I will update! Thank you so much

 

[neely]

If your vet thinks he has Pododermatitis I would ask her why she didn't prescribe Doxycycline since that is the standard antibiotic used to treat it. FYI, please note this explanation: Doxycycline is an antibiotic that also has immunomodulating properties and it is believed to be these properties that are effective in treating plasma cell pododermatitis. Approximately 50 percent of affected cats will show a good response after two months of therapy.

Thanks for the update and I hope your cat's condition improves.

 

[kaycee29]

Great point! After hearing back from her she's going to put him on doxycycline and prednisone. It's going to be for a month or so. Crossing fingers that it won't come back again