Cats And Pillow Paw: What You Need To Know
Any problems with a cat's paw can cause serious pain and discomfort. Pillow paw is the common name that vets give to a condition called feline plasma cell pododermatitis. Find out what causes the problem, and learn more about the treatment your cat may need to have to get rid of this unpleasant condition.
Causes
Scientists aren't exactly sure what causes the condition, but pillow paw (or bad paw) is relatively uncommon. The problem occurs when the animal's immune system responds unexpectedly. If the cat's body detects an infection or an antibody, the immune system produces excess plasma cells. In turn, these excess plasma cells cause swelling in the padding on the bottom of the cat's foot.
Pillow paw is often a sign that something else is wrong. For example, tooth decay in cats can sometimes cause pillow paw because the infected teeth can trigger the immune system's response. Pillow paw is also an indicator of more serious conditions like feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV).
Symptoms
Cats with pillow paw often start to limp or show signs of discomfort when walking, and on inspection, the pads will probably seem swollen. If you touch the pad, the cat will often pull away in discomfort, as the swelling also causes tenderness.
The cat will almost certainly start to lick the affected area. Cats affected with the condition often experience the symptoms on multiple feet, so this sign can help differentiate pillow paw from other conditions.
After some time, an ulcer or sore may develop on the pad. These ulcers develop when the swelling stretches the skin on the pad, and the sores can sometimes split and bleed, increasing the risk of secondary infection. When this happens, you may also see bloody footprints around the house.
Treatment options
Mild cases of pillow paw will sometimes disappear without treatment, but it's always a good idea to take the animal to a vet clinic. The vet can often diagnose the condition simply by looking at the affected feet, but the vet may also take a sample from the affected area (a biopsy) for further tests.
Vets will normally prescribe oral antibiotics to deal with the underlying infection. The cat may need to take these drugs for several months. You can also speed up the healing process by soaking the affected paws daily in an antibiotic solution. Your vet can give you some tips about how to handle the cat while doing this, as felines generally make poor patients!
If cats don't respond to the antibiotics, a vet will normally prescribe steroids. You may need to give these drugs to your cat orally, but some vets will also inject the steroids, particularly for cats that refuse to swallow pills or liquids. Your vet may need to remove larger sores and ulcers surgically. The surgery is relatively simple, but, in severe cases, cats can lose some of the affected pads.
Pillow paw is a relatively rare, but unpleasant condition that can affect your cat's mobility. If you spot the signs of this disease, book an appointment with your vet as soon as possible.