 |
 | Home | Contact Us | FAQ | Search & Site Map | Link to Us |
 | Sign In | Join | Other 45 Sites in Network |
| HomeDiscussion GroupsGeneral TopicsCat AnecdotesHealth and BehaviorRescue CatKB.com Contact UsLink To UsSearch & Site Map |
Cat Forum / Health and Behavior / February 2007Frustrated about yet more stinky feet
Rhett has had a history of getting infections on his paws, though for varying reasons. Several times the vet diagnosed an allergic reaction (yes, another with allergies!! :( The last time she said one of his paws looked burned, but if it was a burn, it could only be carpet burn. He tears around the house and literally slides across the carpet trying to grab hold with his claws when he gets the zoomies. He was cleaned up with an antiseptic and prescribed a spray antibiotic which he didn't tolerate well, but it healed. Tonight once again I see him licking a rear paw (last one was a front one) and while I didn't see anything, I took a queue from the vet and sniffed it. Woooooeeeee it stinks, so there's another infection setting in. What is going on here? He doesn't let me really look it over, and at the vets office it takes a tech and me to hold him while the vet checks. But I didn't see anything going on from what little he let me see. I just flushed it with a wash I bought at the vet office last time and will call them tomorrow to see if I should bring him in. What in the world could be causing his paws so much trouble all the time? Any ideas? Allergy? Could an allergy only affect his paws and nothing else? What else can cause stinky paws that end up flared up (not looking that way yet this time, just smelly. The other back paw doesn't stink). The clue with this cat is how much he licks at them when something is wrong.  SignatureCheryl > What in the world could be causing > his paws so much trouble all the time? > Cheryl Sorry, I don't have an answer about the paw trouble, but I'm hoping that you will find a cause and a solution and he will be better soon. Annie > Sorry, I don't have an answer about the paw trouble, but I'm > hoping that you will find a cause and a solution and he will be > better soon. Thanks Annie. This cat is a riot, though it's a little sad, too. When I have to do something to him like I did tonight cleaning his paw, he fights to get away, then he never takes his eyes off of me. If I go out of the room, he sort of stalks me and peers around corners to see what I'm up to. He'll lay still if I walk past him almost like he hopes he's invisible, then follows me and lays down to watch me some more. He's a very skittish cat, almost very distrustful. Wild almost. His personality matches his spotted markings. SignatureCheryl > The other back paw doesn't stink). The > clue with this cat is how much he licks at them when something is > wrong. > > -- > Cheryl Rhett has a history of foot infection, Cheryl has a history of shampooing the carpet... or buying a certain brand of carpet fresh type product. I would go with an allergic reaction, maybe try remember what may be in or on the carpet. Hope it goes away. I like the name Rhett > Rhett has a history of foot infection, Cheryl has a history of > shampooing the carpet... or buying a certain brand of carpet > fresh type product. Actually, neither. This past weekend was a dust mite treatment, but other than that, I have had the carpets professionally cleaned. And that was last year. I really need to get rid of the damned carpet but I can't afford the laminate I want just yet. Last year I thought it was a food allergy because when I stopped the "new" food, he didn't get a recurrence. Since then it's come back twice with no environment changes, other than the leaky pipe that was fixed last weekend. I hope it's just mold, and that will be fixed as soon as I have time to get someone to tear out the bathroom ceiling and replace it. But just the paws? That's my question. Shamrock has allergies to mold spores, dust mites, cat dander and some pollens, but he breaks out on his tail, legs, and in the past his torso. Never his paws. Litter used is fragrance-free. > I would go with an allergic reaction, maybe try remember what > may be in or on the carpet. > > Hope it goes away. > > I like the name Rhett He has a sister named Scarlett. :) SignatureCheryl "Cheryl" <jlhshadow@NOSPAMhotmail.com> wrote> >But just the paws? That's my question. > Shamrock has allergies to mold spores, dust mites, cat dander and > some pollens, but he breaks out on his tail, legs, and in the past > his torso. Never his paws. Litter used is fragrance-free. Isn't Rhett a Bengal mix? Does he play in his water? It almost sounds fungal. It is definitely fungal. My cat had this a year ago. They keep licking it and it stays wet and becomes a fungus infection. The vet told me to use a diluted clorox solution a couple times a day for about a week and it went away. My cat races around also and could easily get rug burns that turn into fungus infections because of the licking. > "Cheryl" <jlhsha...@NOSPAMhotmail.com> wrote> > [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > Isn't Rhett a Bengal mix? Does he play in his water? It almost > sounds fungal. > It is definitely fungal. My cat had this a year ago. They keep > licking it and it stays wet and becomes a fungus infection. The vet > told me to use a diluted clorox solution a couple times a day for > about a week and it went away. My cat races around also and could > easily get rug burns that turn into fungus infections because of the > licking. so why is he licking his pad? he's digging into the enclave... why? He first its probably get a rug burn from playing and then keeps licking it. The wetness creates a fungal infection, which is why it smells. And they do smell awful. > > It is definitely fungal. My cat had this a year ago. They keep > > licking it and it stays wet and becomes a fungus infection. The vet [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > > so why is he licking his pad? he's digging into the enclave... why? >> It is definitely fungal. My cat had this a year ago. They keep >> licking it and it stays wet and becomes a fungus infection. The vet [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > > so why is he licking his pad? he's digging into the enclave... why? Because it is irritated and it hurts, from a rug burn OR from an allergic reaction. : >It is definitely fungal. My cat had this a year ago. They keep >licking it and it stays wet and becomes a fungus infection. The vet >told me to use a diluted clorox solution a couple times a day for >about a week and it went away. My cat races around also and could >easily get rug burns that turn into fungus infections because of the >licking. This makes sense to me. It's the stinkiness that gives it away. On Feb 21, 12:20?am, "cybercat" <cyberpu...@yahoo.com> wrote: > "Cheryl" <jlhsha...@NOSPAMhotmail.com> wrote> > [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > Isn't Rhett a Bengal mix? Does he play in his water? It almost > sounds fungal. > The vet > told me to use a diluted clorox solution a couple times a day for > about a week and it went away. Cheryl, get specific instructions from your vet if you opt to try this. Bleach could harm your kitty, so I'm sure there must be a safe way of doing this. SignatureLynne Yes, do ask the vet how to mix the clorox - I don't remember. It was a very mild solution that I just dipped a cloth into and then cleaned his foot with the wet cloth. His pad was torn way down in the grove. You couldn't see it unless you really got down into the foot. I think he tore the pad running around on the carpet. He hasn't done it again - thankfully. That was a year ago. > > The vet > > told me to use a diluted clorox solution a couple times a day for [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > -- > Lynne >> on Wed, 21 Feb 2007 14:10:54 GMT, "Buddy's Mom" >> <armsh...@aol.com> wrote: [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > ng >> this. > Yes, do ask the vet how to mix the clorox - I don't remember. > It was a very mild solution that I just dipped a cloth into and [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > the carpet. He hasn't done it again - thankfully. That was a > year ago. I will. Thank you both. For right now the flush from the vets office from the last time is working. It's ChlorhexiDerm. SignatureCheryl > Isn't Rhett a Bengal mix? Does he play in his water? It almost > sounds fungal. After reading all of the replies, I have to admit I never thought of it being fungal, but it does seem like it. Either that or an allergy which was my thought. But it really could be either. I'm going to ask the vet to see if she can test for something fungal. The washing last night seems to have helped, and no to ML, it wasn't something in the litter box he stepped in. It's a very clear sick smell, and not poop. Funny you ask about water -- Rhett isn't my water kitty; Scarlett is. She practically swims in every water dish, and licks the water off of her paws. She doesn't like sticking her face in a water bowl. But Rhett will play in the kitchen sink if I have pans soaking. SignatureCheryl >> Isn't Rhett a Bengal mix? Does he play in his water? It almost >> sounds fungal. [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > the litter box he stepped in. It's a very clear sick smell, and not > poop. Whatever it is, I hope it gets cleared up. Poor boy. I will be interested in seeing how vets treat fungal things for cats, so please let us know. > I will be interested in seeing how vets treat fungal things for > cats, so please let us know. Well, back before Shamrock was diagnosed with allergies, our former vets office actually prescribed an antifungal, miconazole. And it wasn't even diagnosed as a fungal infection! It really dried up the skin, but since fungus wasn't the cause, it did nothing for him other than make his skin flake. We fired that vet. SignatureCheryl >> I will be interested in seeing how vets treat fungal things for >> cats, so please let us know. [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > skin, but since fungus wasn't the cause, it did nothing for him other > than make his skin flake. We fired that vet. Hmm. Was it a topical medicine? SignaturePosted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com >The other back paw doesn't stink). The > clue with this cat is how much he licks at them when something is > wrong. One side is affected... must have something to do with launch and breaking patterns. The others are currently not infected cause historically he's done licked them tough. Scar tissue is stronger than non scar tissue. Is it possible there are places he frequents that you don't or can't habitually clean? An indoor path. Because if I wear my work boots 3 days in a row without rotating to another work boot, they start to stink. Out of curiosity, what do you feed him? I'm curios about patterns, like a change in his food. No matter what it is, there is a trigger. > Is it possible there are places he frequents that you don't or > can't habitually clean? An indoor path. Because if I wear my > work boots 3 days in a row without rotating to another work > boot, they start to stink. I don't think so. I'm not the best housecleaner, but the places I'm thinking of are those that aren't habitually cleaned unless you're a clean freak. They get done a couple of times a year, or less, but I'm talking about things like dusting off nick-nacks or high shelves that the cats don't get up to. With Shamrock I already beat myself up that I don't clean those things more often. I already know that he has allergies to them. Did you ever see his pic after his visit to the dermatologist? He had a serious grid on his belly. > Out of curiosity, what do you feed him? He has eaten Science Diet sensitive stomach dry food for most of his two and a half years because it was the only thing that cured a kittenhood diarrhea problem. He thrived on it. He sometimes eats Bonnie's California Natural. > I'm curios about patterns, like a change in his food. Lately I have been trying to get him to eat canned food more. He will nibble at some Fancy Feast, but maybe only a tablespoon before he runs to the kibble. > No matter what it is, there is a trigger. I'm sure you're right. I can't find it. Don't know how to find it. SignatureCheryl > I'm sure you're right. I can't find it. Don't know how to find > it. Does your kitties "environment" come with a "restore" feature like windows xp? You could just restore to a date when his foot wasn't stinking... haha yes, but something to that effect anyway (:D) ` Yeah, he's just a little sensitive to his environment, or he can be made sensitive depending on his food? anything stressing him out? stress can be an acute trigger for lots of things. Now I'm thinking it's a clogged scent gland in his paw. Barry >> No matter what it is, there is a trigger. > > I'm sure you're right. I can't find it. Don't know how to find > it. > Cheryl Could he have picked up something, maybe a splinter or tiny speck of glass in his paw at some time? Annie > Could he have picked up something, maybe a splinter or tiny > speck of glass in his paw at some time? That was my thought when I took him to the vet a few weeks ago! Because it wasn't the same as "usual", and I had shattered a Corell bowl in the kitchen a month earlier. He was actually limping the last time, so the vet really dug in his paw but she said the wound wasn't a puncture, that it was "sheared" like a burn. And between the pads was all irritated, probably from licking. So carpet burn is the only kind of burn it could have been. That's all healed now. And every other time I've brought him in for a problem with a paw, she examines it so closely that I feel bad for poor Rhett. She's very thorough and I think she'd find something embedded. For the curious, he's been treated for the following in his short 2-1/2 years (he's a VERY rambunctious cat): o Normal kitten URI symptoms up until 4 months including eye ointments (his litter mate even longer) o Paw irritation symptoms 3 times not including the stink from yesterday, and not including the front paw "burn" o An eye injury that was caused from playing too rough with Shamrock (Shamrock also had an eye injury from Rhett at one time) o An irritation in the groin area, and that was definitely food related. I had some Pro Plan dry food that was new when that started, and after that, discontinued and it never recurred. I used to think having young cats would be easier than older cats when they get illnesses. Having 4 cats all under 5 years old has changed my mind. They play too rough. SignatureCheryl > Is it possible there are places he frequents that you don't or can't > habitually clean? An indoor path. Because if I wear my work boots 3 > days in a row without rotating to another work boot, they start to > stink. LOFL Why would YOU be wearing *work* boots, welfare boy? > Rhett has had a history of getting infections on his paws, though > for varying reasons. Several times the vet diagnosed an allergic [quoted text clipped - 20 lines] > clue with this cat is how much he licks at them when something is > wrong. Perhaps he stepped in something (in the litter box?). MLB Could he have developed an allergy to the litter? Any chemicals in the litter? Rhonda > Rhett has had a history of getting infections on his paws, though > for varying reasons. Several times the vet diagnosed an allergic [quoted text clipped - 20 lines] > clue with this cat is how much he licks at them when something is > wrong. > Could he have developed an allergy to the litter? Any chemicals in the > litter? > > Rhonda That was the first thing I thought of too. Or if the carpet had been cleaned recently, or a different chemical used on the kitchen floor. I know the folks at the shelter have been warned by the vets about letting the floor dry well and air before letting the cats back on it (but they mop with a bleach solution). Cheryl, I have just never heard of this. I've heard of nail-bed infections, but not anything affecting the paw pad. Maybe it's a weird fungus? You get more than your share of feline medical mysteries! Hope you get it sorted out soon. Does he lick it and mess with it a lot? Sherry "Sherry" <sriddles@aol.com> wrote> > Maybe it's a weird > fungus? You get more than your share of feline medical mysteries! > Hope you get it sorted out soon. Does he lick it and mess with it a > lot? It has to be. I bet if the vet gives her an anti-fungal cream it will clear up. But that treatment is problematic with cats, because anything you apply has to be safe for them to ingest. > That was the first thing I thought of too. Or if the carpet had > been cleaned recently, or a different chemical used on the > kitchen floor. I know the folks at the shelter have been warned > by the vets about letting the floor dry well and air before > letting the cats back on it (but they mop with a bleach > solution). I use Dawn dishwashing detergent on the floors. Cheryl, I have just never heard of this. I've heard > of nail-bed infections, but not anything affecting the paw pad. > Maybe it's a weird fungus? You get more than your share of > feline medical mysteries! Hope you get it sorted out soon. Does > he lick it and mess with it a lot? Not as a general rule. ONly when something's wrong, which is what clues me in to see why he's licking so much. It's frustrating Sherry! SignatureCheryl >> That was the first thing I thought of too. Or if the carpet had >> been cleaned recently, or a different chemical used on the [quoted text clipped - 14 lines] > clues me in to see why he's licking so much. It's frustrating > Sherry! Cheryl, It sounds like a yeast infection like Candida albicans--yeast infections can be quite smelly. They also itch and hurt and are irritating as well (and they are a type of fungus). All the licking would make it worse, providing a damp environment. Good luck with Rhett! Bonnie > It sounds like a yeast infection like Candida albicans--yeast > infections can be quite smelly. They also itch and hurt and are > irritating as well (and they are a type of fungus). All the > licking would make it worse, providing a damp environment. > > Good luck with Rhett! Thanks, Bonnie. I've thought about candida too after all the thought of fungus. I have a lot more to ask the vet about when I take him in. SignatureCheryl > Could he have developed an allergy to the litter? Any chemicals > in the litter? Since allergies can be developed at any age, it's possible. I use Arm & Hammer unscented. What I've always used. SignatureCheryl > Rhett has had a history of getting infections on his paws, though > for varying reasons. Several times the vet diagnosed an allergic [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > the zoomies. He was cleaned up with an antiseptic and prescribed a > spray antibiotic which he didn't tolerate well, but it healed. <snip> I hate to say it but we had a cat that came in to the vet like this, and it ended up being cancer. We did everything to cure infection, cultured it - everything. Finally did a biopsy and it was some funky sort of cancer. The cat's paws eventually progressed into lesions, crumbling away in pieces. She eventiually had to be euthanized. One of the weirdest things I have ever seen. Other than that, I can't think what it would be unless it is recurrent fungal infection, which is also a possibility. Did they culture it? -L. > I hate to say it but we had a cat that came in to the vet like > this, and it ended up being cancer. We did everything to cure [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > eventiually had to be euthanized. One of the weirdest things I > have ever seen. Sounds horrible! :( Well, I hope that is rare and isn't likely in my Rhett's case. I can't imagine having to make that decision when paws are crumbling. :( > Other than that, I can't think what it would be unless it is > recurrent fungal infection, which is also a possibility. Did > they culture it? No, not yet. It's been discussed for the next time he has to come in. Question, and this might eliminate the possibility of a fungal infection. Would it respond to a steroid shot like an allergy does? Because his does. Or maybe it's just the itch that responds. WB by the way! I'm thinking about what you wrote before you left before, about how hard it is to read here sometimes. Idiots doing idiotic things to animals that are helpless. Heartbreaking. SignatureCheryl > Sounds horrible! :( Well, I hope that is rare It is, apparently. >and isn't likely in > my Rhett's case. I can't imagine having to make that decision when [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > in. Question, and this might eliminate the possibility of a fungal > infection. Would it respond to a steroid shot like an allergy does? It may, if the itch is one of the main symptoms. > Because his does. Or maybe it's just the itch that responds. > > WB by the way! I'm thinking about what you wrote before you left > before, about how hard it is to read here sometimes. Idiots doing > idiotic things to animals that are helpless. Heartbreaking. Thanks. I'm not really back. Just saw your post and decided to respond. I seriously can't stomach Usenet much lately. Guess I'm just tired of the idiots. -L. > Thanks. I'm not really back. Just saw your post and decided to > respond. I seriously can't stomach Usenet much lately. Guess I'm > just tired of the idiots. > > -L. Hows that "cat head in a jar" project coming along for you? Do you still feed it 3 times a day with a blow straw? Let us know Hugs and prayers Barry |
Reply to this Message |
 Sign In
 Join
 My Latest Posts My Monitored Threads My Blog My Photo Gallery My Profile My Homepage Start New Thread Enable EMail Alerts Rate this Thread
|
©2008 Advenet LLC Privacy Policy - Terms of Use
This website includes both content owned or controlled by Advenet as well as content owned or controlled by third parties.