Pododermatitis in cats: symptoms, causes, treatment


Pododermatitis in cats: a rare disease that can prevent the cat from moving. Let’s see together what it is.

When we adopt a cat or any other pet, we must be aware of having to take care of it. Not only by feeding or cleaning it, but above all by paying attention to its health.

In fact, felines, like any animal, can get sick and there are many rare diseases that if not caught in time can be dangerous for cat. For this reason, knowing how to recognize the symptoms when our four-legged friend is not well is very important. Let’s see together what are the symptoms, causes and treatment of pododermatitis in cats.


Pododermatitis in cats: causes and symptoms

The pododermatite plasma cell, also known simply as pododermatite, is a rare disease that can affect our furry friend.

This pathology consists in the presence of lymphocytes (white blood cells) in the larger pads (plantar) of the cat’s paws. In the advanced state, this condition can affect even the smallest bearings , i.e. digital ones.

Pododermatitis can affect all breeds of cats, of any age and both males and females. Furthermore, this condition can easily occur in all legs even at the same time, even if there have been cases in which only one leg has been affected.

There is no precise cause that triggers pododermatitis in cats. However, according to some dermatologists, this condition could result from a malfunction of the immune system. But there are also other types of ailments that can, according to experts, possibly cause such a pathology:

  • Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP)
  • Feline leukemia (FeLV)
  • Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV)
  • Allergies.

The main symptoms of this pathology are, in addition to the swollen paw of the cat, also:

  • Lameness
  • Bearing ulcers
  • Lethargy
  • Cat licks paw excessively
  • Anorexia
  • Bleeding of the paws.

In the event that your four-legged friend exhibits any of these symptoms, it is advisable to contact the veterinarian.

Pododermatitis in cats: diagnosis and treatment

To diagnose pododermatitis in cats, the veterinarian will mainly carry out a physical examination of the cat.

Then he will carry out a blood analysis and in which, in the case of pododermatitis, there will be an increase in lymphocytes. A cat ‘s paw pad biopsy and possible FeLV and FIV screenings may also be required.

Depending on the severity of the pododermatitis present in the cat, the treatment may consist of antibiotics, which regulate the immune system, or cortisone.

Most felines react optimally to this treatment, although it could last a few months. However, in more severe cases of feline pododermatitis, only surgery may be helpful .


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