Have you ever seen your cat with a swollen, puffy and inflamed foot pad? If so, your cat may have pillow foot - a condition that is caused by inflammation of the tissue under the pads of their feet. While the condition is not generally serious, it can be quite uncomfortable for your furry friend. In this post, we'll discuss what causes pillow foot in cats, how to treat it, and some helpful tips for preventing it from happening again. So if you're concerned about your cat's paws, keep reading!
What is pillow foot in cats and what causes it?
Pillow foot or plasma cell pododermatitis is a footpad disease involving plasmacytes. This condition is referred to as pillow foot as the affected foot pads are enlarged and puffy in appearance. The disease can affect one or multiple feet, and is characterized by thickening and roughening of the surface of the paw pads.
The underlying cause is unknown but pillow foot is thought to be a form of autoimmune disease. Other possible causes include food or environmental allergies, and bacterial and viral infections. The presence of a predisposition has been reported in cats that are positive for feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV).
What are the symptoms of pillow foot in cats?
The early stages of the disease are characterized by white, soft, and swollen footpads. Some cats may also experience pain or discomfort when walking or standing. The disease usually affects the metacarpal and metatarsal pads, but sometimes it can also affect the digital pads. In some cases, it can lead to hemorrhaging and ulceration of pad surfaces, as well as secondary bacterial infection.
How is pillow foot in cats diagnosed?
To make a definitive diagnosis, your veterinarian will need to perform a biopsy of the affected tissue. The biopsy can be performed under heavy sedation or general anesthesia and will be sent to a laboratory for histopathology.
Non-invasive fine needle aspirate to perform cytology can also support the diagnosis of pillow foot in cats. Cytology will typically reveal an abundance of plasma cells, hence the name plasma cell pododermatitis. The advantage of cytology over histopathology biopsy is that fine-needle aspiration may often be done without sedation, and the results are often available sooner.
What is the treatment for pillow foot in cats?
The goals of therapy are to reduce swelling and discomfort and to prevent or treat secondary infections that may be present. The main treatment is with immunomodulatory drugs, with the initial therapy of choice being doxycycline. Doxycycline is an antibiotic that also has immunomodulatory properties. If this is not successful, corticosteroids or cyclosporine may be used instead.
As doxycycline can cause severe esophagitis (inflammation of the esophagus), only liquid forms are to be administered. Additionally, following the administration with water is recommended.
Because the disease is localized to the footpads, mobility and pain are usually the most important parameters and pain medication should also be considered.
Cats with pillow foot may require surgery if medical management is unsuccessful. Surgery can provide long-term resolution for some cats.
What is the prognosis for cats with pillow foot?
The prognosis is generally good for cats with pillow foot receiving the appropriate therapy. Treatment is used until complete resolution has occurred, which is around 10 weeks.
Some cats will achieve a complete remission with therapy whereas others may require lifelong treatment. If your cat has pillow foot, it is important to work closely with your veterinarian to come up with the best management plan for your furry friend.
In summary, pillow foot or plasma cell pododermatitis is a condition of the footpads in cats. The underlying cause is unknown but it is thought to be a form of autoimmune disease. Symptoms include white, soft, and swollen footpads, which can lead to secondary bacterial infections and painful or uncomfortable walking or standing. Diagnosis is typically made using cytology and biopsy, while treatment involves the use of immunomodulatory drugs such as doxycycline and corticosteroids, in addition to pain medication. The prognosis for cats with pillow foot is generally good, with most achieving a complete remission with appropriate therapy. However, some cats may require lifelong treatment or surgery. If your cat has pillow foot, it is important to work closely with your veterinarian to create the best management plan for your cat. We hope this helps and please reach out to your veterinarian if you have any questions or if you're concerned that your cat may have pillow foot.