Any idea what is going on with her paw?

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FurBabiesMama

FurBabiesMama

Member Since 2017
Hi. I noticed a circle of missing fur on the top of Willow's right, front paw a couple of days ago. When I examined it, she did not act like it hurt her at all, nor have I seen any limping or anything to indicate pain. It was difficult to really see what was going on. She gets squirmy after a few seconds of me holding/messing with her paw, and she has so much hair that parting it to really get a good look at the skin is difficult. It was very pink but no blood or visible cuts. I wiped the area with a warm, wet cloth a couple of times that day and the next. It seemed to be looking better.

Then, just a little while ago, I noticed it looked worse, Again, she did not react as though there was pain when I examined it, and I did not see blood or any visible wound. It is VERY pink now, getting close to red. I washed the area again and applied a little Neosporin. I then attempted to get a picture, but she was tired of me by then, so it was a struggle. The result is probably not clear enough for anyone to really see any detail (and it is a little 'goopy' from the Neosporin). Maybe I can get a better one later today.

Does anyone have any idea what might be going on here? If there was any evidence of pain or an open wound/bleeding, I would already be at the vet, but as it is, I am not sure if a visit is warranted or not. It is just so weird and out-of-nowhere.

HurtPaw.jpg
 
Does she go outside? Possible bug bite? Maybe playing with Mia and got scratched in that area by accident? Red can indicate infection, although an infection would also likely be sore to the touch. Maybe email pic to vet and ask them, this being a 3 day weekend they may be closing early, not sure if you are in the states or not.
 
Julie and Honey said:
Does she go outside? Possible bug bite? Maybe playing with Mia and got scratched in that area by accident? Red can indicate infection, although an infection would also likely be sore to the touch. Maybe email pic to vet and ask them, this being a 3 day weekend they may be closing early, not sure if you are in the states or not.
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I should have said that she never goes outside (well, in her carrier for the rare vet visit, but that's the extent of it). My first thought when I first saw it was spider bite, but I don't know. Not sure what that would look like and just not seeing a lot to go on here other than the missing hair and irritated skin. She and Mia are not rambunctious at all. They have never really played with each other. I just cannot see Mia having caused it. I know that if I send the photo to the vet's office, they will just say 'bring her in to be safe'. (I am in the US.)
 
Julie and Honey said:
Found this...might apply?
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I guess it is possible. The only symptoms from the list she has are the missing hair and redness.

I also should have mentioned initially that I have not seen her licking or biting the area at all. It is as though she is fine but just happens to have a messed up looking paw. o_O
 
Could be a cyst, which would be good. Could be a mast-cell tumor which is usually not bad. Or could be something else. How fast did it take to get to that size?
 
Larry and Kitties said:
Could be a cyst, which would be good. Could be a mast-cell tumor which is usually not bad. Or could be something else. How fast did it take to get to that size?
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Would I feel a mass/bump/knot if it was a cyst or tumor? I tried to feel for something but didn't find anything. I am going to take another stab this afternoon. Anything else you suggest I look for or feel for on it?

I first noticed it two days ago, Wednesday, in the evening. I feel pretty confident it was not there Wednesday morning, or at least it was not at all visible from a distance. She was laying with her 'arms' stretched out in front of her, and my husband made a comment about how she was laying there looking 'royal'. We both saw her paws and there was no indication of a problem. That evening, she was sitting in the kitchen, and I noticed it right away. When I first saw it, it did seem smaller than it is right now. Yesterday, from a distance, it looked like it had gotten smaller, but maybe the hair around it was extra 'puffy' and had it covered over. In the photo, I pushed the hair away all around it as best I could to make it as visible as possible.
 
Tracey&Jones (GA) said:
It looks like some type of bite or maybe a irritation (like a sliver).
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So, if it is a spider bite, do you know what I should expect to see happen with it and what I should do to treat it?

At this point, I guess I am just watching to see if it gets bigger or changes appearance or something... I don't know.
 
I am thinking if it is a spider bite that within a few days things should calm down. I would just leave it alone myself as there is no blood, puss or oozing. If that started or if it grows or turns a dark colour - I would be going to the vet.
 
FurBabiesMama said:
I first noticed it two days ago, Wednesday, in the evening. I feel pretty confident it was not there Wednesday morning, or at least it was not at all visible from a distance. She was laying with her 'arms' stretched out in front of her, and my husband made a comment about how she was laying there looking 'royal'. We both saw her paws and there was no indication of a problem.
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If true that no there Wednesday morning than I suspect a bug bite. I would just monitor if size and see what happens.
 
And another thought: as not all vets know much about feline diabetes(evid=every vet is different) probably not every vet knows lots about skin lesions. If feasible, you could consider going to a school of veterinary medicine clinic with Willow if you decide to go to vet. Please let us know what happens, much love
 
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