Cat is licking her paws apart?

Question

My cat was declawed a little more than a month ago, before i get critized it was either declaw or get rid of her, on my mothers orders. and I tried all the alternatives, scratching posts, soft paws, etc. She is literally licking her paws apart, I took her back to the vet about 2 weeks ago when it started, he gave her medicine and said they were healing.... now she is back to it again. She just constantly licks her paws, and now they are once again bloody and gross. She is walking normal and they dont really seem to be hurting her, but I know when I take her back to the vet hes going to do the same treatment, and I'm sure i'll end up back there in a couple weeks. Does anyone have any other suggestions as to what I can do to stop her, and try to heal them?

Answer 1

You can have her wear a plastic "e-collar" until it heals up for good. By wearing the collar she will be unable to lick at her paws. It will bother her initially to wear it and you will have to take it off for her to eat and drink throughout the day and then monitor her, so that is kind of an incovenience. Maybe you could ask your mother to help since this is a consequence of her insistence that you get the cat declawed. That only seems fair.

Answer 2

How old is your cat? What type of medicine is your cat taking? What breed of cat, if you know? These are all relevant questions that would help get a handle on the problem

It's possible that your cat has allergies, but seeing as how she was just declawed, that's probably the cause of the problem.

If your cat is bleeding the first thing the vet should be doing is treating the open sores or wounds that is causing that. Solicit another vet for a second opinion, at least, because this is your first priority if it's not being taken care of.

Don't be surprised if the vet prescribes an anti-psychotic medication because some breeds of cats are more 'obsessive' about wounds than others. Or, as I said, your cat may be allergic to something, so make sure that you remove any plants, chemicals, or other animals, or anything that's changed recently.

Answer 3

Did the licking start because of the declawing or was it after the paws had healed from the surgery?

There could have been a mistake made during the surgery if the problem has been from that day on.

Licking and biting of paws can also be an indication of a dietary problem or allergy. Try and find a holistic vet that specializes in nutrition. I don't have access to my books and I can't remember which vitamin/mineral is missing. :(

Some vets are good and some aren't. Don't be afraid to get a second opinion. Avoid those that try and prescribe your cat to health.

Answer 4

Put some socks on her paws, either special pet ones, or just regular socks. You can buy the ones with velcro, so they stick, or you can tie it with string or use some tape. We had the same sort of problem with a dog, and as long as she didn't get the socks off, it was fine. Personally I think it's a better alternitive to the collars, because it's a hassle to take it off all the time so they can eat and drink. But whichever works best! good luck!

Answer 5

Take her to the vet! She must be in a lot of pain since its swollen and she can't step on it. Do you let her out? If so, she could have been bitten or stung by somethng.

Answer 6

Maybe ask if the vet could bandage it up so it will be able to heal

Answer 7

ask your vet if there is something you can put on the paws
so your cat cant get to them so they can heal

Answer 8

have the vet put a funnell-collar on her until she is COMPLATELY WELL! good luck