In this material we will look at the main reasons why cats and kittens may have swollen paws and talk about characteristic symptoms. Keep in mind that you are unlikely to be able to accurately diagnose yourself, so you should be prepared for the fact that you will need to be examined by a veterinarian to diagnose and prescribe therapy. From this article you will learn how to provide first aid to an animal, how the diagnosis is carried out and what treatment is recommended for specific cases. So, what should you do if your cat suddenly has a swollen paw? Let's talk about the most common reasons.
Possible causes and additional symptoms
swelling of the paw is a cause for concern, because it is a sign of malfunctions in the body
Experienced cat owners are well aware that swelling and puffiness of an animal’s paw does not occur by itself. The cause may be excessive accumulation of fluid (blood, lymph or pus) in the cat's limb, which is a cause for concern. After all, swelling of your pet’s paw is always evidence of a malfunction in the cat’s body, and your task is to, without wasting time, find out the cause of the swelling and provide the animal with the necessary help.
Swelling of cat limbs is as varied as the causes that cause them. Swelling of the paw may be in a relatively small area - a consequence of the so-called. limited, local, in other words “local” swelling. Over a large area of the limb or over its entire surface - with generalized (“general”) swelling. More often, swelling occurs on one of the cat’s limbs (asymmetric swelling), less often on several at once (symmetrical swelling).
In some cases, a careful examination of the swollen areas can suggest what caused their appearance. Moreover, swelling of the limbs can be accompanied by other specific symptoms and almost always has a characteristic effect on the behavior of cats. Often, the answer to the reasons for your cat's paw swelling may lie in the underlying conditions.
Joints become inflamed
one of the causes of paw swelling is joint disease
Swelling of the paw may be a consequence of joint diseases. One of the most commonly diagnosed diseases is arthritis. It affects older animals, animals after injuries and those lacking vitamins and minerals. Symptoms include asymmetrical swelling and noticeable immobility of the pet. Only a veterinarian can diagnose arthritis, and he also prescribes a course of treatment. As a rule, these are antibacterial drugs; they help relieve inflammation and reduce pain syndromes. "Sinulox" - in combination with its non-toxicity and effectiveness, is one of the safest for animals, and chondroprotectors will help restore damaged joint tissue.
Allergy
do not self-medicate; rely on your veterinarian for diagnosis and treatment
At first glance, causeless swelling of the paw may be the result of an allergic reaction. Allergies can occur due to toxins and poisons entering the animal’s body outside the home or an insect bite. The symptomatic picture of an allergy is most often the following: copious discharge from the animal’s nose, increased tearing, and the swollen area itself is cold to the touch. If external signs indicate that it is an allergy, you should not self-medicate or hesitate. Take your cat to the vet, and an injection of a fast-acting antihistamine is the first thing to do. The need for further treatment is at the discretion of the veterinarian and depends on the severity of each individual case.
Malignant neoplasms
swelling of cat limbs is as varied as the causes that provoke them
No, swelling on the paw is not the tumor itself, it is its consequence. In severe stages of breast cancer, swelling of one limb (on the side of the affected gland) is characteristic; this occurs due to the fact that the neoplasm compresses the lymphatic vessels, preventing lymph circulation and leading to its stagnation. The diagnosis is made based on the results of tests and x-rays. If uterine cancer is diagnosed, surgery may be suggested. The next step is to prescribe a course of medications.
Lymphadenitis
inflammation of the lymph nodes often causes paw swelling
The cause of swelling of the limb may be inflammation of the lymph node. Typically, spread begins in the axillary region and, if left untreated, affects the entire limb of the animal. Characteristic signs are an enlargement of the lymph node area when palpated, signs of pain and an increase in the pet’s temperature. Treatment is prescribed by a veterinarian in accordance with the diagnostic picture.
Diseases of internal organs
swelling of the paws may be a sign of kidney failure, heart, liver or kidney disease
Pathologies of internal organs can cause swelling in your pet's limbs. Often, swelling of the hind paw without such characteristic symptoms as lameness, pain and temperature, can be a sign of a number of diseases: acute or chronic renal failure, heart disease, liver and kidney disease. In this case, swelling begins from the tips of the paws and, in the absence of treatment, the swelling completely spreads to the limbs, affecting both hind legs at once. In this case, a complete examination of your pet is necessary, based on the results of which comprehensive treatment is prescribed.
Fungal diseases
swelling and peeling of paw pads - symptoms of a fungal infection
Animals whose habitat is not limited to an apartment and those with weakened immune systems are most susceptible to fungi. In addition to a swollen limb, symptoms characteristic of mycosis are peeling skin on the paw pads, dandruff and an unpleasant odor from the cat. For fungal diseases, animals are prescribed immuno-strengthening drugs. To combat fungal infections, Fungin or Imaverol are usually prescribed.
Consequence of injury
If injuries are detected, first aid must be provided to the animal independently.
Curious people are naturally susceptible to various types of injuries: lacerations, bruises, dislocations and fractures. It is better to be prepared for the unpleasant consequences of cat curiosity. So, what should you do if your cat’s paw is swollen after a fierce fight with a fellow cat? First of all, carefully examine your pet’s limb, because not only the paw itself, but also the pad could have been damaged. If, as a result of an injury, the cat is limping, does not lean on the sore paw or holds it in a canopy, to exclude lacerated purulent wounds, check the integrity of the skin. If there are wounds, you must provide first aid to the animal yourself. If necessary, stop the bleeding, wash the wound with hydrogen peroxide, treat it with an antiseptic, and bandage it. After that, you need to contact your veterinarian. He should prescribe a course of antibiotics and, if required, a tetanus shot. If there are no visible wounds on the animal, it still needs to be x-rayed to rule out the possibility of fractures. If necessary, the veterinarian will apply a splint. To alleviate the animal's condition while waiting for the doctor, a cold compress can be gently applied to the injured limbs.
Diagnosis of the disease
To prescribe adequate treatment, your veterinarian will need to find out the history of arthritis in your cat. This will help to understand the clinical picture and correctly identify the disease and its subtype. Before visiting the clinic, prepare answers to frequently asked questions:
1. What type of movement restrictions did the animal begin with? Did they start suddenly or did it take some time? How long does it last? Are there any signs of deterioration?
2. Which limbs are suspicious? Are there other unrelated symptoms? What's your appetite?
3. Does the animal participate in shows or breeding?
4. When were the last injuries? What diseases did you have? Have you come into contact with carriers or patients?
5. What types of vaccines were used and when? Is he taking medications? What kind of nutrition does he receive?
6. Did your parents have pathologies of muscles, nerves, bones?
If the cat is in obvious pain, the doctor will use an anesthetic to make the examination more comfortable.
Diagnosis begins with a radiograph or x-ray, which will help assess the damage and determine a treatment regimen. The processes in the damaged organ can be very small, so x-rays are taken from all sides at different angles. Usually other procedures, such as ultrasound, MRI or CT, are done to get a more complete picture.
Blood is taken for a complete analysis. Different cell types are being studied. The result will tell your veterinarian what could be causing the lameness. Serological tests are used - these are tests that are carried out for various immune pathologies or bacteria. For example, they may detect Lyme disease or rheumatoid inflammation.
If the doctor sees swelling, he places a thin needle into it and collects synovial fluid, which is then carefully examined. The test accurately determines the presence of infection, impaired immunity, or injury. For a bacterial infection, the type of strain is determined, which is important for prescribing a course of antibiotics.
But sometimes even these tests are not enough to make a definitive diagnosis. In this case, a biopsy is performed: a small piece of tissue lining the organ is removed and then examined. This type of analysis is especially useful for detecting cancer.
The biopsy is performed using arthroscopy, which means inserting an endoscope through a tiny incision. Such gentle examination is increasingly used in veterinary medicine. Using an arthroscope, the doctor can examine the inside and take material for analysis.
In rare cases, arthrotomy (exposure of the area) is used in small individuals whose limbs are too small for such an examination. During arthrotomy, the organ should be examined, a biopsy taken, and, if necessary, the connective cartilage should be restored.
First aid if your paw is swollen
While observing your pet, try to find out as much as possible about his condition
Don't panic! First of all, calmly and carefully observe your pet’s behavior. By observing, you should get as much information as possible that will be useful. You need to understand whether the animal’s movements have become more constrained and atypical, or whether your pet has become less mobile. Observe, maybe your four-legged one is limping or dragging one of its paws. Be careful, do not lose sight of the animal if it suddenly bothers you. Or even more so if the naked eye can see that your cat is in pain.
The next step should be a thorough examination of the diseased limb, and then the entire pet. This will allow you to detect other symptoms if they exist: wounds and suppuration in the swelling area; redness, pallor or bluishness of the skin in the area of edema; increased lacrimation and salivation; the appearance of dandruff and a specific odor; change in body temperature; painful sensations when touching areas of the body adjacent to the swollen areas.
When you subsequently contact a veterinarian, any of your deviations from the norm, even if they are not significant at first glance, will help the doctor diagnose the disease.
Tumors by location
It is possible to guess the origin of the tumor based on its location, but this diagnostic method does not always work.
But there are still pathologies that most often appear on the front/hind legs.
On the front paw
Most often, tumors develop on the front paw for the following reasons (taking into account the possibility of the appearance of tumors):
- Injuries, including fractures.
- It is in the soft tissues of the front paws that splinters are most often found. They can cause both traumatic swelling and abscesses. The latter develop due to pathogenic microflora entering the wound canal. In the latter case, the tissues swell, become hot and thicken. As the abscess matures, it softens.
- Possible formation of hematomas. Due to strong impacts or other traumatic influences, blood vessels may be damaged. The blood coming out of them accumulates in the subcutaneous tissue and under the skin. In the first days the swelling is soft, after a few days it thickens and hardens.
On the hind leg
Tumors on the hind leg develop due to:
- The hind limbs very often become swollen and swollen in diseases of the heart and kidneys. The swelling is cold and dense.
- In addition, swelling of allergic origin often develops in the hind legs.
- Sometimes this is how myositis (muscle inflammation) manifests itself. These cases are characterized by severe pain.
All described pathologies can develop with equal probability on all paws.
Between the fingers
A tumor between the fingers is a common consequence of fungal pathologies. Malassezia is especially famous for this. This pathology, caused by yeast, is not typical for cats, but in practice it still occurs. Characterized by the following symptoms:
- Strange, lumpy growths appear in the spaces between the fingers.
- They are soft and “cheesy” to the touch.
- A strange, moldy, musty smell emanates from the paws of a sick animal.
Visit doctor
Thus, from all that has been said above, it becomes clear that there are more than enough reasons why an animal’s paws may swell. In many cases, ignoring this problem can lead to dire consequences, so we strongly recommend that at the first signs of swelling of the limb, do not delay contacting a qualified veterinarian. Because how quickly you react can affect the health and even the life of your pet.
Timely consultation with a doctor can save your pet's life
How to treat if a cat has a swollen paw
And so, if the cause of the cat’s swelling is a shallow wound and there is no severe suppuration, only in this case can you try to do without visiting the clinic. What is the algorithm of action if your tailed bully has a swollen paw and how should it be treated?
- Rinse the wound with hydrogen peroxide or chlorhexidine to disinfect and heal quickly.
- Treat the skin around the edges of the wound with iodine. If the swelling of the limb is too strong, it is better to replace iodine with medical alcohol.
- Apply a not too tight bandage with levomekol ointment to the wound.
Dressings should be done and the bandage replaced once a day, not forgetting to wash the wound. If after a day there is noticeable deterioration or after two days there is no improvement, the animal must be shown to a veterinarian and follow his further instructions.
become a caring and attentive owner for your cat - this will prevent serious problems with his health
Swelling of the limbs of cats can be of a very different nature. Protecting your inquisitive pet from all the potential dangers that threaten him is not as easy as you might like. But there is no need to strive for this. What is really important is that you be a caring and sensitive owner for your pet and be able to notice even the most minor changes in him or his behavior in time. And this attentiveness of yours will allow you to prevent serious problems with your pet’s health or solve them before it is too late.
Treatment
Providing assistance in case of injury has already been sorted out. For treatment in other cases, it is necessary to identify the cause, which is what the veterinarian does. After making a diagnosis, he prescribes the necessary procedures:
- Joint diseases - adding products to the diet that include chondroitin and glucosamine; taking antibacterial drugs (Sinulox, Ceftriaxone); pain relief (Buprenorphine, Meloxicam).
- Allergies – eliminating the allergen from the pet’s life; Diphenhydramine injection to improve the condition; antihistamines (Bicarfen, Diazolin, Suprastin, Tavegil).
- If the cause is a disease of the internal organs, then treatment is carried out depending on the identified pathology.
- For problems with blood vessels, regular massage of the affected limb is performed. If the problem is thrombosis, then surgery is performed. For preventive purposes, the doctor will prescribe medications to dissolve blood clots.
- Suppuration (abscess) - opening the tumor, removing pus, treating with an antiseptic, installing drainage. Antibiotics are prescribed if necessary.
- Cancerous tumor - surgical removal, chemotherapy or radiation followed by restorative therapy.
If your cat's paw is swollen, you should not hesitate to treat it. Extensive inflammation is dangerous due to blood poisoning and necrosis, which often leads to the death of the animal.
Sources:
https://koshkamurka.ru/6925-chto-delat-esli-u-kota-raspuhla-lapa.html https://veterinargid.ru/cats/vet/u-kota-opuhla-lapa.html https:// okoshkah.com/u-koshki-opuhla-lapa.html
