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It's on a hind foot and so I could have noticed sooner. But she puts up a fuss, enabled by the H's inability to hold her properly for nail trimming, especially on back claws, so I don't do them as often. When I do, I usually just snip any sharp tips and leave the rest alone. But I noticed, the time before today, that one of her claws was thick and odd and I wanted to try a nail file on it. I could see it when she napped, poking out, so it's been on my mind to get a good look at it.
First, it looks like the outside layers are not shedding properly and second, when I managed to have her be still enough that I could be gentle, I tried to take the best look at the entire thing that I could and it looks sore around the cuticle? nail bed? I had to be very careful extending it as that alone seemed to bother her. I managed to snip a few snips of flaky layers at the tip, hoping she would be able to shed them better.
However, I then looked it up online and while it doesn't look anywhere near as awful as the pictures - not pus-y, not curled under or ingrown, not badly inflamed - there's no question it's not right. I'm going to make a vet appointment.
I haven't had experience with this and wanted to hear how it went for anyone who has.
My girl cat has one on her front paw. When I first noticed it it was almost curled back into her pad. I have to use a human cuticle cutter that looks like regular nail cutters but have the slanted blade. Otherwise I wouldn't be able to cut it, regular cat clippers don't fit.
As soon as I clip, the nail splits and I can pull off the thick portion that doesn't shed on it's own. Over time it has become "more" normal but it's still the wonky nail. I don't think it hurts her, but she doesn't like it if I spend to much time on it.
Our Benny is 18 and obviously not very active. The claws on his back feet are exactly like you describe--thick and not seeming to shed. I attribute it to his much less grooming and arthritis/stiffness in his joints.
I still try to trim the ends and look at the nail and nail bed. I haven't seen any pus or inflammation so far, so for now I'm monitoring.
This morning she's doing what I wanted, which is chewing on the nail and licking it, hopefully getting off some of the layers on there. BUT the nail bed was not looking happy last night, it looked like it had scabs around it, so the H made an appt early this morning, miraculously for tomorrow.
I won't be able to go since I have physical therapy, so I'm trying to get a list of what I want him to ask. She's a rescue, but is 12-13-ish and apparently this is mostly a senior cat problem. (I told her we'll all get old together.) But the H would agree to anything, assuming I can pull it off, like foot soaking. Uh, no, not happening, I'd be shredded.
She's also coughing again like last year. Her nose and eyes run when the weather changes and she coughs productively. Last year, the vet, who speaks very loudly, and very fast, completely freaked me out with a list of horrible things ranging from dust to impending death, that could make her cough. I think it's pure mucus, so hopefully we can resolve both issues for the year tomorrow.
This morning she's doing what I wanted, which is chewing on the nail and licking it, hopefully getting off some of the layers on there. BUT the nail bed was not looking happy last night, it looked like it had scabs around it, so the H made an appt early this morning, miraculously for tomorrow.
I won't be able to go since I have physical therapy, so I'm trying to get a list of what I want him to ask. She's a rescue, but is 12-13-ish and apparently this is mostly a senior cat problem. (I told her we'll all get old together.) But the H would agree to anything, assuming I can pull it off, like foot soaking. Uh, no, not happening, I'd be shredded.
She's also coughing again like last year. Her nose and eyes run when the weather changes and she coughs productively. Last year, the vet, who speaks very loudly, and very fast, completely freaked me out with a list of horrible things ranging from dust to impending death, that could make her cough. I think it's pure mucus, so hopefully we can resolve both issues for the year tomorrow.
If the nail bed isn't looking right, you're wise to bring her in.
If she coughs from an allergies/seasonal problem, perhaps ask about giving Zyrek or claritin for a few weeks? In years past, Benny had a similar problem that was sneezing and sometimes a watery eye. The OTC meds helped.
Two of my old cats (Kona and Cyrus) had this issue when they reached a certain age, and in Kona's case it was apparently due to hypothyroidism - not sure with Cyrus, but he had only one or two while MOST of Kona's nails were eventually like that. I just had to keep a closer eye on them, and gently trim the outer layer when it got too thick. If you're taking the kitty to the vet, have them run a thyroid test!
If the nail bed isn't looking right, you're wise to bring her in.
If she coughs from an allergies/seasonal problem, perhaps ask about giving Zyrek or claritin for a few weeks? In years past, Benny had a similar problem that was sneezing and sometimes a watery eye. The OTC meds helped.
Quick reminder: Please do not give any kitty a human dose of medicine for any reason. Always ask the vet; call the vet, or vet tech for proper advice.
pics: a paw with one thick claw, a good dew claw, a sore dew claw, and a very sore claw (not my cat)
wow, oh man I need to really watch out for such.
We adopted the 3 older cats when--well they were past kitten phase and will not let anyone at home handle their paws. MUST take to vet for nail clips and he is now charging $18 per cat
Sophie and Isabella though,since they were adopted at 8 weeks old we have made a point of gently handling their paws and Success!!! I can clip their nails with no problem
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