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Swollen Paw Pads

My kitty has a swollen pad on her front paw. This makes me sound like a bad fur mommy, but it has been like that for over a year. I never really thought anything of it because it doesn't seem to bother her in any way. After doing some general research I kept ending up at Plasma Cell Pododermatitis, but I really don't think that's what it is, because:
1. It has been like that for a long time with no change in size, shape, or color.
2. I inspect her paw frequently and have never seen any open wounds or signs of blood.
3. She doesn't seem at all concerned about it, she let's me touch it, and I never see her paying it any special attention.
4. From my research PCP typically effects more than one paw.

If my cat doesn't have PCP, what could this be?

If she doesn't show concern about it, is it something I should rack up expensive vet bills for? I love my kitty very much, she is my baby, and I would do anything to keep her healthy and happy. I also don't have the money to pay for medicines, biopsies, surgeries, etc. I'm just afraid that by going to the vet, there would be a lot of costly procedures done that may not be necessary.

Any suggestions?
3 Responses
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874521 tn?1424116797
maybe furmomof5 will weigh in here and give her opinion since she has a kitty Mr. Scardy with this PCP problem.
In my opinion if it hasn't become worse in a year than it maybe something else it sure wouldn't hurt to get a Vet just to have a look at it and give their opinion...and this may not involve alot of invasive testing, perhaps just a biopsy to rule out a cancerous tumor(?)
there was a long posting on PCP earlier and I'll give you a link to that post for your information
please update us if you do decide to have a Vet take a look...and I do suggest that you do, than you are the one to decided how much further to proceed but its in kitty's best interest to know what you are dealing with.

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Cats/Plasma-cell-pododermatitis/show/1666260?personal_page_id=861539
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
It sure looks like Plasma Cell Pododermatitis to me.  I'm not a vet but like Opus said I have a boy with it.  He has it on all four feet but his front feet are the worst.  This issue is a very slow moving one, my cat has had it for a very long time now.  At first I thought it was an issue stemming from his other heath issues, so I never paid it any mind.  Then a new vet diagnosed him with it once his front foot split open.  I would strongly suggest that you take your baby to the vet as soon as you can to get a diagnosis before it gets a chance to really destroy her feet.  If it is Plasma Cell Pododermatitis you will be given a few options on how to treat it.  I hope you avoid the steroids and maybe start with the antibiotics first.  Save the harsh stuff for a last resort option.

Good luck with her and if you have any questions at all, please feel free to ask.
Helpful - 0
131114 tn?1380083190
Also i found out that SCC (squamous cell carcinoma) can present on toes-
your kitty really should get a biopsy- that is the only way to rule out cancer.
my kitty has it and we are looking into treatments. she has it on her nose which is the best place to have it....
still a bummer. she is 15!

good luck and let us know!
ja
Helpful - 0
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