You may wonder, what is pododermatitis in cats? Pododermatitis in cats is often referred to as pillow foot. Still, the medical term is feline plasma cell pododermatitis, and it's a relatively uncommon disease seen in small-animal practice.

Plasma cell pododermatitis in cats (PCP) is a condition that causes swelling of the paw pads. It can be a painful condition, so if you suspect your cat has pododermatitis, contact your vet to arrange a physical examination. Early diagnosis is important to stop complications such as infection or ulceration.

What Causes Pododermatitis in Cats?

The exact cause of feline plasma cell pododermatitis is unknown. It's thought to be a dysfunction of the cat's immune system. There have been many suggested underlying causes.

Although not definitely proven, there is thought to be a link with viral diseases such as feline leukaemia virus (FeLV) and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and such viruses are commonly found in affected cats.

It's possible that allergies play a role in cats with PCP. Although not fully understood, there's likely a causal agent that triggers an immune response, leading to the pads becoming swollen and inflamed.

Checking for the Symptoms of Pododermatitis in Cats

Pododermatitis in cats' symptoms include swollen pads with soft, even swelling affecting one or more pads; often, the large central pads are affected.

Sometimes, white lines and cracks are seen. Sometimes bacterial or fungal infections can occur due to pododermatitis. If the pads become ulcerated or secondary infections occur, this can cause pain and discomfort to your pet.

How is Pododermatitis in Cats Diagnosed?

In the absence of small-animal dermatology issues or skin disease, your vet may suspect pododermatitis based on the appearance of the pads.

But getting a diagnosis of pododermatitis in cats can be tricky, as other immune-mediated diseases may prompt your vet to suspect a malfunction of the immune system, such as eosinophilic granuloma complex, which can cause sores around the mouth.

Less commonly, affected cats may have kidney problems, such as immune-mediated renal issues or renal amyloidosis. It's likely your vet will want to do a range of tests, such as blood tests and fine needle aspirates, and a biopsy will often be recommended. Your vet is testing for increased numbers of plasma cells, indicating PCP, and for any other organ involvement.

How is Pododermatitis Treated?

Pododermatitis in cats' treatment is not straightforward and varies from cat to cat. In some cases, treatment is not necessary, and the disease regresses without any medication being required.

However, some cats require medication to suppress the immune system and treat any infections present to improve the pads, and this often requires several weeks of treatment. Where ulceration is severe, surgical removal of damaged tissue is required. Your vet will advise you on your own pet's treatment needs.

Will My Cat Be Cured of Pododermatitis?

Most cats respond well to treatment. However, as with treatment, there is variation in prognosis. Some cats will make a full recovery following medication, some cats will make a full recovery without any medication, some cats will need longer-term medication, and some cats will improve but still experience occasional relapses - this can often occur as seasonal relapses.

Is Pododermatitis in cats Contagious?

Generally speaking, feline pododermatitis is not contagious. But, because there's a link between contagious viruses and pododermatitis, it's important that your vet tests for viral causes to ensure they're not a risk to other cats. If your cat is not affected by FIV or FELV, then it's unlikely that their pododermatitis will be contagious.

Pododermatitis is an uncommon condition with many possible causes. If you suspect your cat has pododermatitis, it's important to contact your vet at an early stage.

With early intervention and the right treatment plan for your cat, they have an excellent chance of making a full recovery and returning to normal life. Due to the risk of relapse, you should always monitor your cat's paws closely and be vigilant for any signs of lameness, which may indicate pododermatitis.

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Content provided from Vetstream's Vetlexicon Felis 

Vetlexicon is the world’s largest peer-reviewed online clinical reference source. All our content is written and peer-reviewed by over 1,000 of the world’s leading veterinarians, ensuring relevance, accuracy and quality.