Pododermatitis: Callus growth in cat’s paws

Pododermatitis: Callus growth in cat’s paws. There is nothing sweeter than the small, soft pads of the cat's paw. But sometimes their look changes, they appear reddened and thicken. This is usually due to pododermatitis, an inflammation of the paw skin. It is unpleasant for your cat and must be treated.

We'll show you what causes pododermatitis and how to recognise it - so you can help your cat and have it dashing around again without any complaints.

The pads of the cat

Take a closer look at the undersides of your cat's paws. The number of pads on the front and back paws is different. Each hind paw (see 2.) has 5 pads: 4 small toe pads and one large sole pad. On the front paws (see 1.) there is also a thumb pad and a so-called carpal pad - so there are 7 pads per paw. 

The pads are true natural wonders! They consist of hairless, thickly horny skin that protects against injuries. Underneath them is a cushion of fat that serves as a shock absorber - that's why they feel so soft. The pads are important for the locomotion of the mouse hunters and change their shape depending on the speed. When running fast, they are narrower, which reduces friction. When changing direction suddenly and braking, on the other hand, they widen and thus provide more support. The pad skin is thick, but cannot be compared to the human callus on the feet. It is criss-crossed by nerves and various receptors with which the cat perceives heat, pressure, touch, vibrations and pain. In addition, there are converted sweat glands that moisten the pads so that they adhere better to the surface.

When the pads become sick

Pododermatitis is a complex disease and affects different areas of the paw. However, the pads are where the changes are most visible and are therefore usually the first to catch the eye. If itching or pain is present, affected cats often lick and nibble their paws so intensively that they aggravate the symptoms themselves. 

Depending on the cause, the disease can look quite different. Mild forms show up as slight swelling and redness, hair loss between the pads can also be present. Other symptoms are scaling or a strong hornification, with or without discolouration of the pads. Severe inflammation may be accompanied by intense redness, skin detachment and open ulcers, which may be covered with crusts or pus. Sometimes the claw bed is also affected and appears reddened, swollen or ulcerated. Often the affected claws then tear in or off easily.

Pododermatitis has different causes

How the paw disease manifests itself depends entirely on the cause. Inflammations are usually caused either by pathogens, i.e. bacteria, viruses, parasites and fungi, or by an overreacting immune system. Rarely, pododermatitis can also be secondary to a disease of other organs.

Bacteria

Bacteria are a common cause of claw bed inflammation. It occurs mainly when the cat is already weakened due to another disease or when an injury on the paw becomes infected. If pus is visible, bacteria are involved and an antibiotic and thorough wound care are needed.

Viruses

Viral skin diseases occur less frequently. They are usually caused by smallpox viruses or cat flu pathogens. However, the main symptoms of these diseases are usually on parts of the body other than the paws. Smallpox causes ulcers on the eyes and lips and cat flu is similar to a cold and affects the respiratory tract.

Parasites

There are different types of mites that cause pododermatitis. They have one thing in common: they cause intense itching. For example, outdoor cats can be infested by small, orange harvest mites when they roam through meadows and woods. Through direct contact with cats or through shared blankets, outdoor cats and also indoor cats can become infected with the scabies mite notoedres cati. The skin lesions look barky and scaly.

Cutaneous fungi

Mostly young kittens are affected by cutaneous fungi. The most commonly affected areas are the head, ears, paws, front legs and tail - usually not just one area. Dermatomycosis usually causes circular, hairless areas that are slightly scaly. Itching may be present.

Immune-mediated

In immune-mediated diseases, the body reacts to harmless stimuli and thus harms itself. The alarmed immune cells release messenger substances that cause inflammation, ulcers and itching. Mostly, allergies to food, flea saliva and mosquito bites are responsible. Atopic dermatitis, a general hypersensitivity to environmental substances such as dust mites, pollen and fungal spores, also causes paw changes. There are also diseases in which the immune system is directed against various parts of the cat's own body. These diseases have complicated names and include pemphigus foliaceus, lupus erythematosus and plasma cell pododermatitis.

Secondary

Lastly, there are diseases of various internal organs that secondarily cause pododermatitis. Often there is hair loss on the paw or so-called hyperkeratosis, i.e. excessive keratinisation of the pads. These are usually tumour diseases, for example of the thymus gland, bile ducts or pancreas.

What to do if your cat has problems with its paws?

If your cat shows changes in its paws, in most cases there is a disease behind it. Wear and tear is rare, because normally cats don't put much strain on their paws and groom them themselves. In addition, the pads produce a greasy fluid that keeps them supple. 

Only in rare cases the pads of outdoor cats can become dry and cracked. When it freezes or snows outside and your cat walks through the road salt, the pads can become affected. You can then apply some paw balm or wound healing ointment. But remember, your cat will probably lick most of it off. So use only appropriate products.

What to do if the pads come off?

If the skin on the pads suddenly peels off, there can be several reasons for this. One is burns or scalds. If your cat runs over a hot cooker or tips over a hot cup of tea, the skin will be damaged and peel off. On the other hand, cleaning products can also cause chemical burns and skin peeling. Always be careful of hazards and store cleaning products where your cat cannot access them. 

If your cat has been burnt, scalded or cauterised, you should immediately rinse the affected paws with lukewarm water. This will serve to cool and soothe the area, and may also remove the cleaning agent. That way it can't do any more damage. You will also prevent your cat from licking it off and burning its mouth, oesophagus and stomach. Depending on the severity of the injury, you should visit a veterinary practice the next day at the latest and present the patient.

What to do if the pads are torn open?

Any injury that goes beyond a superficial scratch should be examined and treated at a veterinary practice. This is because the extent of the injury is often difficult to assess and foreign bodies can also become impaled in the paw. Professional treatment can also prevent infections. You can take care of the initial treatment so that the wound is protected before a vet takes a look. The vet will also show you how to take care of the wound during the healing phase.

If your cat has injured its paw, it may bleed a lot. To stop the bleeding and for first aid in general, you will need wound disinfectant, tweezers and bandages with sterile compresses, gauze bandages, some padding, tape and scissors.

This is how you apply a paw bandage:

• Clean the wound with clean water

• Remove any visible foreign bodies (the vet will remove deep and large foreign bodies).

• Disinfect the wound and cover it with a compress.

• Apply pressure to a bleeding wound for a few minutes with your thumb on the compress.

• Put small strips of cotton wool between all toes to protect them from pressure (don't forget the thumb in front!).

• Wrap the whole paw with cotton wool up to the next joint, otherwise the bandage will slip later.

• Wrap the gauze bandage around the paw and secure it with adhesive tape.

At the vet's office, the bandage is removed and a new one is applied after the wound has been treated. Watch carefully to see if you can improve your technique. Don't be afraid to ask questions!

What to do if the paws peel off?

In various autoimmune diseases such as pemphigus and lupus, it may look like the paw is peeling off its skin. Usually it affects the pads at the interface between hairy and hairless skin. What is special is that the changes are then also found on other parts of the body, such as the nose or the pinnae of the ears.

If you discover these symptoms, your cat will need medication to suppress the immune system. This will stop the disease from progressing and the skin can heal. At the vet's office, a small biopsy of the affected skin will be taken and examined in the laboratory to confirm the diagnosis.

When do I need to see the vet?

Every change in the pads should be checked by a vet. Often there are illnesses or injuries behind them that need to be treated and are very unpleasant for your cat. Unfortunately, finding the cause is not always easy. Often the only way to find out is to take a thorough medical history and examine the whole cat, as well as using various diagnostic tools. However, it is always important to treat the symptoms early on. Depending on the cause, different medications are used: antibiotics, antiparasitics, preparations against fungi or cortisone for immune-related problems. Your vet will tell you whether the affected paw needs additional care. In most cases, a collar is needed to stop the cat from nibbling and allow the paw to heal.

Conclusion on paw problems in cats

If your cat's paws are red, swollen or otherwise abnormal, it may be suffering from pododermatitis. Don't wait too long, bring your cat to a veterinary practice for a check-up. The condition is very unpleasant and in most cases requires treatment with medication. This will quickly make the small pads on the cat's paw soft and cute again.

The confidu magazine is written by our veterinarians according to current scientific standards. The articles do not replace a veterinary diagnosis, but are intended to provide you with initial information on many topics related to your animal. If you have specific questions about your pet, our vets will be happy to advise you via the confidu app.