Hello. Our 12 year old male was diagnosed with Plasma cell pododermatitis (pillow foot). Our vet told us he has only seen a handful of cases and has never successfully treated it. We were told it was a buildup of white cells and not much is known about it. Apparently there is no cure. He subscribed prednisone every other day to try to stop inflammation. Our cat appears to be in pain. His pads bleed and are so scabbed and swollen. Anyone with experience with this? Any suggestions?
-
Too many ads? Join our community of cat lovers now to reduce ads by 90%! Click here to join for free!
Plasma cell pododermatitis
- Thread starter jsd17
- Start Date
Has he been checked for FIV? It's not something that is always linked with pillow foot but that link is often found.
Last edited:
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #3
Our vet told us he could take blood and check for fiv and leukemia also could do biopsy on feet. However he felt its a waste of money because there are no treatments for any of these illnesses. He is losing weight and hair. My wife is thinking of getting infant socks and taping them on his feet to keep blood of everything.
This cat needs blood work to see what is going on under the surface. Also, if the vet has not successfully treated this illness in the past, I would seek out a second opinion or take him to a university clinic. Universities tend to see a wider variety of illness and have more at their disposal than a normal vet office.
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #5
Yes. I thought of carrying him to the vet my mom uses. Then again like our vet said if there is fiv or leukemia found there is no treatment. My wife suggested doxycycline. he felt it was too expensive for only 30% success rate. I understand where he is coming from we live in a very rural county and he tries to help people save money i guess.
http://www.marvistavet.com/html/body_plasma_cell_pododermatitis.html This is the best article I found on it. What dose of Pred is he on? What I have found said that if the steroid is used rather than the doxycycline it needs to be a high dose. I have a kitty with IBD which at one point turned into fatty liver and a feline specialist put him on a high dose of pred, 10 mg a day to get things under control. What I have found here is that many vets are much more conservative with the steroid dosage. Doxy is the preferred treatment. One good reason to check him for FIV is that an FIV kitty shouldn't be on a high dose of a steroid if it can be avoided. I really feel you should look at getting a second opinion. Your vet seems to have a very defeatist attitude about this.
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #7
That's why I don't understand not testing him for FIV.
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #10
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #11
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #12
Today we had blood work done after treating with prednisone has done nothing. Our cat lost another 2.2 pounds and is down to 7.4 lbs. Everything from the CBC profile was normal with the exception of elevated white blood cells which we knew already which is believed to be the cause of pillow foot. Also the cat is anemic. T-4 thyroid test came back negative. Our vet thought hyperthyroidism may explain weight loss. Feline Leukemia /Fiv test was also negative. Kramer is nearly 13yo. Our vet said his outlook was poor and like humans as we get elderly systems begin to fail. We are torn with the decision of doing whats right for Kramer. Any advice. Thanks
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #13
I'm so sorry about your kitty.
I have heard of pillow foot, but only know that it is an awful, painful condition. I do not have any direct experience with it. I don't really have any advice to offer except to perhaps seek out some treatment options from another avenue of veterinary medicine, such as Chinese medicine, homeopathy, etc. They would likely look at this as a blood disorder and might have some blood tonic remedies. Where are you located? Are you in the U.S.?
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #15
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #16
I'm sorry for not getting back to you after I asked if you were from the U.S. If you're interested in pursuing a holistic vet or one that specializes in Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM) to help treat your cat, you can try a search at these links:
American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association
http://www.ahvma.org/Widgets/FindVet.html
Chi Institute of Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine
http://www.tcvm.com/Resources/FindaTCVMPractitioner.aspx
Some of the vets listed in these directories offer remote / long-distance consultations via phone or email as long as you have a solid relationship with a local vet (which you do). So you're not necessarily limited to ones close by. It might take some time to expand your search and find one that offers long-distance consultations, but could be useful.I have done three long-distance consultations (maybe be four) - Florida, South Carolina and even Ontario in Canada!
How's he's doing on the doxy so far?
American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association
http://www.ahvma.org/Widgets/FindVet.html
Chi Institute of Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine
http://www.tcvm.com/Resources/FindaTCVMPractitioner.aspx
Some of the vets listed in these directories offer remote / long-distance consultations via phone or email as long as you have a solid relationship with a local vet (which you do). So you're not necessarily limited to ones close by. It might take some time to expand your search and find one that offers long-distance consultations, but could be useful.I have done three long-distance consultations (maybe be four) - Florida, South Carolina and even Ontario in Canada!
How's he's doing on the doxy so far?
