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Cats/cats paws

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Expert: - 4/5/2011


Question
Hello. There is something stuck in my cats paws. It sounds like he is tap dancing when he walks. I have to assume it is either new litter that I bought( tidy cat free) or mud. Either way..I would like to know if plain warm water would be the best to soak his paws in...or should I put something in the water?

Answer
Hi Deanna,

I would use some warm water and a little bit of hand-washing dish soap to help quickly remove whatever is stuck in his paws. This should make easy work of removing the substance. Then give a quick rinse in plain warm water. Also, be sure to check his claws, assuming he has them, to ensure they haven't gotten too long or even ingrown. If they're tapping on the floor, they'll need to be trimmed. Claws can grow so long that they curve and grow into the paw pads, where they'll cause terrible pain and infection. If they have gotten to this point, it's usually best to visit the vet to have them trimmed and removed from the pad. Antibiotics may be in order, and most cats are very uncooperative about having the ingrown nail removed at home.

Good luck!

Jessica

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Jessica

Expertise

The areas in which I have gained the most experience are cat health and feral cat management/rescue. I provide supportive care to chronically ill cats, hospice care to terminally ill cats and also am involved in trap-neuter-return efforts. My specialities lie in taming feral cats and in the allopathic treatment of cats with illnesses or special needs. I also have owned Siamese, Himalayans, Abyssinians, Russian Blues, Savannahs, Bengals, Peterbalds, Don Sphynx and Oriental Shorthairs and am well-versed in cat breeds as well as cat behavior and nutrition.

Experience

I have 15 years of extensive experience with cats ranging from breeding to medical care. My daily routine consists of caring for cats with diabetes, thyroid disease, kidney failure, feline leukemia, feline AIDS as well as feral cats. I have experience with liver patients, heart patients, feline infectious peritonitis, cancer, recovery from amputation and trauma, congenital deformities and most every disease in between. I have assisted cats giving birth and hand-nursed kittens who were neglected by their mother from 2 days old through weaning.

Education/Credentials
15 years' hands-on experience

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