Cut on paw not healing?

[Passiveaggressivecakeeater]

We've just started letting our 7mth old kittens out and one got in a little scrap and was chased back inside by a bigger cat. He was limping so I checked him over and he had sliced a little of the pad of his front paw. I cleaned it off with salt water and the next day it had scabbed over. That was 6 days ago and he's still limping on it. I had another look and it seemed to have opened up again and is still bleeding.

Is it time to go to the vet or am I just being precious?

Time for the vet, I'd say.

Thanks, I'll take him this morning.

Ah good. I must say that if I had to guess, I'd say that those were more likely wounds from a small RTA rather than a cat scrap. (I'm not doubting he had a small run in with another cat but I think he might also have met a car or something when he's pretty un clued up about them.)

Let's see what the vet says.

What did the vet say? Is it alright?

I heard an adult sounding cat chase him into the house and he was limping and bleeding, so not sure if it was the fighting or the running away the cut it.

The vet said it's just got a minor infection and should heal in 3 weeks time. He said it' keeps opening up because it's on the bottom of the pad and he's constantly walking on it. Not much can be done about that I guess.

The vet's seen him at least which is reassuring to you. He could have leapt awkwardly while leaving the field of battle and hit a stone or edged thing. You'll be keeping him in for a bit I guess?

Well there's two of them so I can't keep him in without the other one suffering. He's been staying in a lot more since it happened anyway.

Oh and £30 to be told everything's fine!!!! Oh well, peace of mind I guess.

With two kits who go outside - have you thought about insurance? (I don't have it myself because Seniorboy was too old when he came to me for it to be a realistic option but I know that for a number of posters on the board, it's saved their financial sanity.) Just a thought.

Yeah definitely, thanks. I've been meaning to get it sorted but keep forgetting.

Glad to hear its nothing too serious!

When my kitty had a cut on her paw, the vet gave her hibiscrub which I had to soak her paw in. A luke warm solution twice a day for as long as you can manage. They gave me an animal version, but I think the (cheaper) human version is the same.

I was also recommended using salt water on a scratch near her eye on here recently.

Maybe something like that will help it heal quicker?