Petco Text Logo
Petco Pet Logo

  • Two Easy Ways to Start Earning Rewards!

    rewards header
    Become a member today!
    Members-only pricing and offers, personalized care notifications, Vital Care points back on every purchase and more!
    Already a member? Sign in
    Petco Pay LogoBecome a credit card member today!

    Earn 2X Pals Rewards points at Petco
    when you use Petco Pay!

    APPLY NOW
    Learn More About Petco Pay Benefits

Outdoor cat has swollen, painful paw. How to get affordable vet care?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | American Shorthair | Male | unneutered | 4 lbs

We let this cat come in for shelter sometimes, but we can't afford to adopt/own him. He also really enjoys being outside most of the time. He came in with a swollen paw today and I'm wondering what the problem is. There is some pink/irritated skin around one of his nails. I can't give more detail because he screams in pain and fights every time we touch the paw. What is wrong and what can we do about it without spending (much) money? We want to help him but have absolutely no money to spare

This question includes photos that may contain sensitive content. Click to view.

View more to consider that the photos may include sensitive content.

3 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Image profile

Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

Veterinarian

Published on December 21st, 2019

Thank you for contacting PetCoach with your question about Gustavo. Without seeing him in person, I can’t say exactly what is wrong with his paw, but it may be he injured it, has a broken bone in it, or a foreign body. The fact that he screams whenever you touch it tells me he is in a lot of pain, and unfortunately there are no OTC pain medications you can give him. Many human ones are toxi to cats, and are fatal if given. You don’t have a choice but to take him into a vet. If paying for a vet is an issue, you can see if your vet accepts payment plans, if there is a low cost clinic in your area, or you can apply for Care Credit online. There is also an organization called Red Rover that give grants for treatment of sick animals, and you can see if you qualify for one of their grants. Best Friends also has a list of resources that offer financial assistance on their website. I'd also see if you can borrow money from family and friends. http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/resources/tips/trouble_affording_pet.html?credit=web_id91754962 https://www.redrover.org https://www.carecredit.com http://bestfriends.org/resources/financial-aid-pets http://lessonsfromaparalyzeddog.com/when-pet-owners-cant-afford-veterinary-bills/ http://www.dogheirs.com/resources-affordable-veterinary-care/ Check out these resources to see if one can help you. Best of luck.

Vote icon

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

  • Image profile

    Answered By Linda G, MS, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on October 25th, 2020

    Hello. Poor Kitty Boy has a very, very infected paw. He needs to be on antibiotics, & soon. If you can not afford a veterinarian, then please call all the shelters & humane societies in your area to see if they have low cost help for veterinary care. To help afford a bill, please consider one of these payment sites. They may help in making a visit possible. https://www.carecredit.com https://www.scratchpay.com https:www.vetbilling.com I do hope you can get your poor kitty some help & thanks for contacting PetCoach.

    Vote icon

    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

  • Image profile

    Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

    Veterinarian

    Published on April 21st, 2019

    Poor Kaiser! I'm very concerned that his back right foot is swollen, and I would be worried it could be broken. He may have been hit by a car, and he has to see a vet now. If paying for a vet is an issue, you can see if your vet accepts payment plans, if there is a low cost clinic in your area, or you can apply for Care Credit online. There is also an organization called Red Rover that give grants for treatment of sick animals, and you can see if you qualify for one of their grants. Best Friends also has a list of resources that offer financial assistance on their website. http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/resources/tips/trouble_affording_pet.html?credit=web_id91754962 https://www.redrover.org https://www.carecredit.com http://bestfriends.org/resources/financial-aid-pets http://lessonsfromaparalyzeddog.com/when-pet-owners-cant-afford-veterinary-bills/ http://www.dogheirs.com/resources-affordable-veterinary-care/ Please take him into a vet immediately.

    Vote icon

    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

See More Answers

Related Questions

Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
I noticed this on my dogs paw! I can’t afford to visit a vet right now but really need help
Thank you for contacting Boop by Petco with your question. That is quite swollen, and I'm concerned that could be a malignant growth. This is something that definitely have to be checked out by a vet. If paying for a vet is an issue, you can see if your vet accepts payment plans, if there is a low cost clinic in your area, or you can apply for Care Credit online. There is also an organization called Red Rover that give grants for treatment of sick animals, and you can see if you qualify for one of their grants. Best Friends also has a list of resources that offer financial assistance on their website. I'd also see if you can borrow money from family and friends. http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/resources/tips/trouble_affording_pet.html?credit=web_id91754962 https://www.redrover.org https://www.carecredit.com http://bestfriends.org/resources/financial-aid-pets http://lessonsfromaparalyzeddog.com/when-pet-owners-cant-afford-veterinary-bills/ http://www.dogheirs.com/resources-a
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
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 ol
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 th
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My cat’s been limping and he has a gash on the top of his head. My mom refuses to take him to the vet due to money issues but something is seriously wrong with him :(. He also has never had any vaccines and isn’t fixed
Boo Boo does have to see a vet. Limping means he is in pain, and there are no human pain medications you can give him. Many are toxic to cats, and are fatal if given. Leaving him in pain is cruel to him, and you can get into trouble legally for not getting him necessary veterinary care. If paying for a vet is an issue, you can see if your vet accepts payment plans, if there is a low cost clinic in your area, or you can apply for Care Credit online. There is also an organization called Red Rover that give grants for treatment of sick animals, and you can see if you qualify for one of their grants. Best Friends also has a list of resources that offer financial assistance on their website. I'd also see if you can borrow money from family and friends. http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/resources/tips/trouble_affording_pet.html?credit=web_id91754962 https://www.redrover.org https://www.carecredit.com http://bestfriends.org/resources/financial-aid-pets http://lessonsfromaparalyzedd
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
my cat has a wound on bottom of her back paw paw is swollen and she doesnt put weight on it. is there anything I can do no money for vet visit
If the foot is swelling around the wound it is possible it is infected or badly inflamed. It is best to seek veterinary care as soon as you can, especially if it is extremely painful, the swelling does not go down, or there is discolored discharge from the site of the wound. This site can help give you some options for making vet care more affordable: http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/resources/tips/trouble_affording_veterinary_care.html Until you can get to the vet, keeping your cat from licking or touching the wound with the use of an elizabethan (cone) collar and keeping the wound cleaned and dry with a clean washcloth may help until care can be sought.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Olivers paw is swollen and red and he keeps chewing on it. I thought maybe it was from his allergies but I'm not sure. I don't get paid until next week so I won't be able to bring him to the vet until then. Is there anything I can do for his paw unti
Oh no, poor Oliver! You can try soaking his paw in an Epsom salt bath, but it would be best he is seen by a vet as soon as possible. I can give you some resources that may help you afford a vet sooner than next week. You can see if your vet accepts payment plans, if there is a low cost clinic in your area, or you can apply for Care Credit online. There is also an organization called Red Rover that give grants for treatment of sick animals, and you can see if you qualify for one of their grants. Best Friends also has a list of resources that offer financial assistance on their website. http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/resources/tips/trouble_affording_pet.html?credit=web_id91754962 https://www.redrover.org https://www.carecredit.com http://bestfriends.org/resources/financial-aid-pets http://lessonsfromaparalyzeddog.com/when-pet-owners-cant-afford-veterinary-bills/
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Please help! My Cat Pebble's paw looks as though it is rotting, but I don't have the funds for the vet right now! He's limping really bad and I'm afraid he is in pain. I'm really scared, I rescued him at 2 weeks and bottle fed him. He's now 3 and I c
Hello. Pebbles is definitely in pain, otherwise, he would not be limping. If you absolutely have no funds available to help him, then I would call your local humane society to see if they have any kind of program to help low-income people with their pets. Other places that will sometimes help people & pets are churches & outreach programs, & your local DHS office may know of something, too. You owe it to Pebbles to at least make a few calls to see if help is available. Good luck & I hope he is doing better soon. Thanks for using Boop by Petco.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
I cant afford to take my cat to the vet (As I don't get paid for another week) but hes limping on both of his back paws, and hisses every time I go near him, One paw is swollen to the point it is almost purple, and the other is scabbed and looks as t
Hi there and thank you for using pet coach to address your concern. What you are describing sounds like feline plasma cell pododermatitis, which is an immune mediated disease. It could also be an infection or some other inflammatory process. Unfortunately, this likely needs veterinary care. A veterinarian should examine this so that the most appropriate diagnostic and treatment recommendations can be made. If you are having financial difficulties, I would recommend signing up for care credit online. You can use this to pay for veterinary care. I hope this helps! Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
I have a stray kitten that showed up a couple of months ago. One of his eyes constantly drains brown fluid with a real slight oder. His face is now starting to swell around the entire eye area but not bad. We have grown attached to each other but I
From your description, I would be concerned about an infected tooth root. I would start saving up for a vet visit and possible surgery to remove the tooth if this is the case. Antibiotics will help temporarily, but it will happen again until the tooth is removed (if the vet determines it is a tooth issue). If paying for a vet is an issue, you can see if your vet accepts payment plans, if there is a low cost clinic in your area, or you can apply for Care Credit online. There is also an organization called Red Rover that give grants for treatment of sick animals, and you can see if you qualify for one of their grants. Best Friends also has a list of resources that offer financial assistance on their website. https://www.redrover.org https://www.carecredit.com http://bestfriends.org/resources/financial-aid-pets http://lessonsfromaparalyzeddog.com/when-pet-owners-cant.../ http://www.dogheirs.com/resources-affordable-veterinary.../ www.thepetfund.com/
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Hello, my cats half side of his face has been swollen for three days today he had blood on his eye. I desperately need help , I can not afford a vet and he’s a street cat he wont let me touch him but he’s always here so I consider him mine. He does e
This is a medical emergency and Ismael has to see a vet now. He could have been hit by a car or injured a fight, and leaving this untreated can lead to vision loss. He will also be in a lot of pain from this, and there are no meds you can get online for him. If he won't let you touch him, you wouldn't be able to administer medication anyway. He needs to see a vet immediately for injectable medication. You need to set out a trap to catch him right away. If paying for a vet is an issue, you can see if your vet accepts payment plans, if there is a low cost clinic in your area, or you can apply for Care Credit online. There is also an organization called Red Rover that give grants for treatment of sick animals, and you can see if you qualify for one of their grants. Best Friends also has a list of resources that offer financial assistance on their website. I'd also see if you can borrow money from family and friends. http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/resources/tips/trouble_affo
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My cat is an outdoor cat, just a while ago he showed up running into the house when I opened the door, he never comes in. When I looked he has this huge I don't know what on him? I wanna say it looks burn but my grandma doesn't have the money to take
Oh that is really bad. Orangie could have injured himself or it could be a burn. This absolutely cannot be treated at home. He will be in a lot of pain from this, and there are no OTC pain medications you can give him. Many are toxic to cats, and are fatal if given. He has to see a vet now. If paying for a vet is an issue, you can see if your vet accepts payment plans, if there is a low cost clinic in your area, or you can apply for Care Credit online. There is also an organization called Red Rover that give grants for treatment of sick animals, and you can see if you qualify for one of their grants. Best Friends also has a list of resources that offer financial assistance on their website. http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/resources/tips/trouble_affording_pet.html?credit=web_id91754962 https://www.redrover.org https://www.carecredit.com http://bestfriends.org/resources/financial-aid-pets http://lessonsfromaparalyzeddog.com/when-pet-owners-cant-afford-veterinary-bills/ http:
Updated on September 24th, 2025

Related Searches

Cat Supplies Cat Food Pain Meds & Arthritis Relief for Cats Cat Medicine Cat First Aid Pet Pharmacy Vaccines and Shots for Cats Cat Antibiotics Cat Health & Wellness Heart & Blood Pressure Medicine for Cats Prednisone Pain Meds & Arthritis Relief for Cats Gabapentin Pain Meds & Arthritis Relief for Cats Methocarbamol Pain Meds & Arthritis Relief for Cats Vet Worthy Cat First Aid PetAlive Cat First Aid Vet Worthy Cat Health & Wellness Vetericyn Cat First Aid BiologicVET Cat Health & Wellness Vetality Cat Health & Wellness HEALERS Cat First Aid
image
Have A Vet Question?

Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.

Book Now

Sponsored