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My old cat's paw is swollen and infected. What can I do without a vet?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | American Shorthair | Male | neutered

My cats toe is swollen and looks to be infected or something. It's the same toe on both front paws. He'll let me touch his paws and look but he didn't like it when I went to look at the underside of his paw. I really don't know what to do. He's an older cat--15--and we can't afford a vet. I don't know how to describe it well so I took a few pictures.

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2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Jessica Keay, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on April 28th, 2017

I am so very sorry to hear about your kitty! It does appear, unfortunately, that your kitty could have an infection going on in the foot here, as the area looks swollen with purulent discharge coming from the area. Unfortunately when we have an area like this, a topical treatment is usually not going to suffice and oral or injectable antibiotics is often needed. We can see infections as a result of overgrown or ingrown toenails, wounds, foreign bodies (like a piece of splinter or grass seed) entering the skin, and sometimes we can also get fungal infections. Without seeing your kitty in person it is very hard to determine. I know you say you cannot afford a vet, but I think you will have to figure out a way to get your kitty in to see the vet. They can look more closely at the toe and the nail to try to determine the cause. They may be able to do this just by looking and feeling the area, they may want to test the discharge to check for bacteria or fungus They may need to flush the wound to be sure there isn't any object lodged there. I would recommend calling the vet's office and letting them know your situation. They may have a program called Care Credit that you can apply for to help pay your vet bills with monthly payments, or they may have another program set up similar to this. If they do not, they may be able to refer you to a low cost clinic in your area. Some Humane Society's or animal shelters have lower cost services for those in need. It is best to let your vet know up front of your financial situation so that they can choose the most stream-lined and cost effective options for you from the start.

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    Answered By Debi Matlack

    Veterinary Technician

    Published on

    Those toes do look infected and the best thing for him is to be seen by a vet as soon as possible. It's hard to tell from the photos what is causing it, but given your cat's age, he may have ingrown claws, which is not uncommon in older kitties. If you are in financial difficulty, there are ways of still getting your pet treated by a veterinarian. Ask if they take Care Credit and apply online. This is a credit card specifically for medical, dental, and veterinary expenses. Call a local animal shelter or college of veterinary medicine in your area and ask if they have a low- or no-cost veterinary care program. GiveForward and Youcaring.com are crowd funding websites that help you raise money to help take care of your pets. Harley’s Hope Foundation is an organization that ensures low income pet parents and their companion or service animals remain together when issues arise. Banfield Pet Hospital has its own programs for owners that can’t afford their pet’s care. Feline Veterinary Emergency Assistance (FVEAP) works with seniors, people with disabilities, people who have lost their job, good Samaritans who rescue a cat or kitten who may need financial assistance to save a beloved companion. The Feline Veterinary Emergency Assistance Program is a nonprofit 501 (c)(3) organization that provides financial assistance to cat and kitten guardians who are unable to afford veterinary services to save their companions when life-threatening illness or injury strikes. God's Creatures Ministry helps pay for veterinarian bills for those who need help. IMOM is dedicated to insure that no companion animal has to be euthanized simply because their caretaker is financially challenged. The Onyx & Breezy Foundation has many programs including helping people with medical bills. They are a good resource for information. Brown Dog Foundation provides funding to families with a sick pet that would likely respond to treatment, but due to circumstances, there is not enough money immediately available to pay. The Pet Fund and Redrover.org are great sources for help to care for your pet. The Humane Society website has many links to other organizations that help with veterinary expenses.

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