Cat's ingrown nail swollen. Can I use old meds, peroxide, or vet?

It looks like your cat’s toenail has been sheared off, probably from an injury, fight or being hit by a car. My best recommendation is to take your car to the vet where they will be able to fully clean the area around the nail, trim the nails if necessary, and give your cat an antibiotic and pain medication if needed. I hope this helps. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Best of luck.

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.

Most likely Festus is painful and he requires anti-inflammatory/pain relief meds and antibiotics if the swelling is caused by any cause that can bring infection in (bite wound for example). The swelling could be caused by a fracture as well, so radiographs may be needed after physical examination. Please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation (where you can post pictures ) if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further.

Anything you apply will likely be licked off and ingested. This could further complicate his condition. If a vet visit is not possible now, you can try soaking the paw in a diluted Betadine or chlorhexidine (Hibiclens) solution twice daily. Dry it thoroughly afterwards. An e-collar (cone) is your best bet at preventing licking which could delay healing. If this doesn't work, Thor will need to be seen by your veterinarian. He may need antibiotics to resolve any infection and pain medication to manage discomfort. Do not medicate him at home without the advice of your veterinarian.

No, please don't give your cat over the counter medications. Cats are extremely sensitive to them and you will not be able to get a dose small enough for a 1 pound cat. It is not recommended you give any medicines over the counter. If this was from an ingrown nail then he will need some antibiotics. It is likely infected which is why it is swollen. He really needs to see a vet for this issue. That way he can get the proper treatment. In the meantime you can soak the foot in an Epsom salt bath for 5 minutes 2-3 times per day. This may allow the infection to come to the surface and open. Hope this helps. Best wishes.

As long as it is not painful , swollen and/or does not have a purulent discharge (pus), there is no need to put an antibiotic on the wound. Of the paw swells or the toe, or if he starts to limp or bother the wound , you should take Stylo to a vet for an exam. Do not soak the paw, as this may damage the new cells that grow to heal the wound.

Since he goes outside, he could also have an abscess/infection in his paw or he may have an injury. He should definitely be examined by a vet to determine the exact cause. He may need an antibiotic or an anti-inflammatory to treat. Your vet can also take an x-ray, if needed, to help diagnose. There isn't much you can do at home until we know the exact cause of the swelling. Hope he feels better soon.