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My cat's paw lesions keep returning. Why aren't antibiotics working?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Helo I want to ask about my cat..My cat has some crusty lesions on her paws....we got her treated and one of her paws was excised due tu theses severe lesions but now they are apearing on her adjacent paws as well despite the antibiotics were given but it did nt heal.....

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Answered By Jessica Desrosiers

Veterinary Technician

Published on November 9th, 2018

Ouch! Those look pretty painful. If the medication isn't working it may be a good idea to take a sample of the lesions to be sent out to a lab for testing to see if there is a more specific medication that can be used, or if there is another cause for the lesions. Some viral illnesses can also cause lesions, in which case antibiotics wouldn't work to treat the underlying cause, only to prevent secondary infection from forming. Since they are coming back and look pretty painful, additional examination and bloodwork is also a good idea to narrow down possibilities. Keeping your catch from biting at or scratching the lesions with an Elizabethan (cone) collar is also a good idea to help prevent further irritation while it tries to heal.

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