A cat’s paw pads perform a variety of essential functions: they help regulate body temperature through sweat glands; provide traction so cats can grip surfaces while climbing, jumping or running; and cushions every beautiful, fluid step a cat takes.
Paw pads can also reveal a lot about a cat’s health, as changes in the appearance or feel of the pads can be a sign that a cat has underlying health problems.
Christina Gentry, clinical assistant professor of dermatology at the Texas A&M School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, provides information about pillow foot, an uncommon but serious condition that can affect the paw pads and prevent cats from engaging in your daily activities.
IDENTIFYING AND CONFIRMING THE CUSHION FOOT
Feline pillow foot, also known as feline plasma cell pododermatitis, is a skin disease that causes a cat’s paw pads to become swollen and painful.
“Padfoot occurs when a large number of plasma cells, an immune cell that produces immunoglobulin to help fight infection and regulate the immune system’s response to infection, infiltrate the tissue of the paw pads, but the cause of this infiltration is unknown,” Gentry said. “Most cats feel well despite discomfort in their paw pads, although a small percentage may appear ill, with a fever or loss of appetite.”
Owners and veterinarians can tell if a cat has pillow feet by observing changes in the cat’s general behavior and the appearance of its paws. The large toe pads are often most affected, usually on more than one foot, but occasionally the small toe pads can also develop swelling and sores.
“During routine interactions or when trimming the cat’s nails, owners may see that the larger pads are soft, squishy or swollen – we sometimes describe them as looking like bean bags – and have an open wound,” Gentry said. “In some cases, the first time an owner notices a problem is when the cat is limping, which means the cat is less active or doesn’t jump as much. Other times, your veterinarian will note swelling and any potentially open sores on the paw pads during physical exams.”
As there are some conditions with similar symptoms to padpaw, such as infections or autoimmune diseases, a proper diagnosis of padpaw is necessary to ensure that the cat receives the most effective care appropriate to its condition.
“Pillow foot can often be diagnosed during a physical exam if multiple paw pads have sores or if there is a history of sudden lameness without any known trauma or other skin injuries,” Gentry said. “If the case is more subtle or owners want additional confirmation before starting treatment, a tissue biopsy can provide a definitive diagnosis. A fine-needle aspirate, which involves sticking a needle into the tissue and collecting cells to place on a slide for microscopic analysis, would also support the diagnosis if many plasma cells are present.”
WHAT TO EXPECT AFTER DIAGNOSIS
Once diagnosed, the specific treatment approach will depend on the cat’s individual condition and severity of symptoms, as more severe cases may require more intensive treatment.
“Oral immunomodulators, which are drug treatments to help regulate the body’s immune system, are the standard treatment and include doxycycline, an antibiotic with immunomodulatory properties; and corticosteroids or modified cyclosporine to reduce inflammation,” Gentry explained. “In cases that do not respond to medical treatment, the cushion tissue can be surgically removed.”
Intermittent or long-term treatment may also be necessary, so owners should carefully follow their veterinarian’s advice. This includes attending follow-up appointments to manage the cat’s condition, monitor its progress, and ensure its comfort.
“Your veterinarian will slowly taper the immunomodulators and watch for flare-ups, but if the condition returns or worsens as the medications are tapered, they may adjust the dose or change the medication,” Gentry said. “Some cats require medication for one or two months, while others require a long-term immunomodulator, ranging from a few months to a few years.”
With early detection, proper diagnosis, and a proper treatment plan for pillow feet, cats can adopt a happy, healthy lifestyle thanks to their owners and veterinary care team.
(For more information about the Texas A&M School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, visit our website at vetmed.tamu.edu or join us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.)
