What are Claw and Nail Disorders?
Of the different types of nail disorders, two are the most common. Paronychia is an infection of the nail bed that inflames that tissue around the nail and onychomycosis is a fungal infection of the nail. Each of these issues can have serious and painful effects on the cat.
Nail disorders in cats come in a variety of forms and from several different causes. These disorders are typically caused by some form of infection in or around the nail bed. Many cats will take notice of their nail disorder and begin fussing with their claws incessantly.
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Symptoms of Claw and Nail Disorders in Cats
Nail disorders are often uncomfortable for cats, which leads them to fuss with their paws compulsively. If a cat displays any of the following symptoms, they may be suffering from a nail disorder:
- Compulsive licking and biting at the claws
- Difficulty walking
- Pain in the paws
- Swelling and inflammation of skin around the nails
- Nail plate deformities
- Abnormal nail color
Causes of Claw and Nail Disorders in Cats
Most claw disorders in cats are caused by some sort of infection, but that is not the case for all cats. Nail disorders can be caused by any of the following:
- Bacterial or fungal infections
- Cancerous tumors
- Trauma to the nail
- Immune system illnesses
- Brittle nails
- High levels of growth hormone
- Birth disorders
- Cutting the nails too close to the nail bed and thus leaving them open to infection
- Neoplasia
Diagnosis of Claw and Nail Disorders in Cats
While claw disorders may seem relatively minor, they can be caused by serious infections or even major diseases like cancer. For this reason, it is vital that a cat be taken into a trusted veterinarian who can diagnose the underlying cause of the nail disorder.
The veterinarian will ask for a medical history of the cat to determine if the issue is congenital, or caused at birth. It is also important to tell the veterinarian if the cat's nails have recently been trimmed, as this is a common cause of infection when not done properly.
After the veterinarian has a complete medical history, they will begin a physical examination. They will examine the individual nails to determine how many nails have been affected. If more than one nail is causing trouble, it could mean that the cat has a serious medical condition.
If further tests are needed, a veterinarian may take a skin scraping from the skin near the cat's nail and send the sample to be analyzed at the lab. This will determine what is causing the nail disorder and, depending upon the results, a further bacterial or fungal culture may need to be taken to know exactly what the issue is.
Treatment of Claw and Nail Disorders in Cats
Treatment of the nail disorder will vary largely based upon the cause of the disorder. While most solutions are easy and non-invasive, more serious treatments may be required in special cases.
Bacterial or Fungal Infections
Infections can be treated with either oral medications, or topical ointments that are applied directly to the nail. These treatments often last for a period of 2-4 weeks, after which time the cat should return to normal.
Skin Inflammation
If the skin under or around the nail has become inflamed, the cat might require surgical intervention. This will allow the tissue to drain and return to normal. The surgery is relatively minor with little to no risk, and the cat should be back to normal within 2 weeks after surgery, depending on how quickly their nail regrows.
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Recovery of Claw and Nail Disorders in Cats
In most cases, oral or topical treatments and/or minor surgery will be enough to clear up any issues that the cat is facing. It is important to monitor the nail health of the cat, however, as recurring issues may be indicative of a more serious problem.
If the nail disorder returns in any form, it is vital that the cat sees a veterinarian as soon as possible. Another round of treatment may be called for, or the issue could be a symptom of cancer. Either way, these are not things that a pet owner is prepared to treat alone.
It is also important that the owner carefully examine how they cut the cat's nails. By cutting too close, they can nick the skin and leave small cuts. This makes it easy for a cat to become infected when doing everyday tasks like exploring and using the litter box.
Claw and nail disorders in cats can be expensive to treat. If you suspect your cat is at risk of developing claw and nail disorders, start searching for pet insurance today. Brought to you by Pet Insurer, Wag! Wellness lets pet parents compare insurance plans from leading companies like PetPlan and Embrace. Find the “pawfect” plan for your pet in just a few clicks!
Claw and Nail Disorders Average Cost
From 375 quotes ranging from $200 - $1,000
Average Cost
$400
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Claw and Nail Disorders Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
mixed rescue cat
Coco
17 Years
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My pet has the following symptoms:
Weight Loss
Increased Thirst
Disorientation
Loss Of Balance
Increased Appetite
Bloody
My cat Coco is pretty old and went blind 7 months ago. We've been taking good care of her and she's been doing fine and happy. Slowly the past week or less her energy level decreased slightly. Maybe lethargic but she's so old and sleeps a lot anyway we didn't really know she wasn't feeling well, just thought old age. The past 2 days she suddenly got really bad. (Wandering around the house, not coming upstairs to my room, seeming lost and disoriented more than usual, couldnt find her way around anymore.) We have been bringing her food and water every day but we noticed yesterday she has gotten skinny. When we bring food to her, she doesn't stop eating. She'll eat as much as we put in front of her and we let her do it. The vet will be open tomorrow and we were going to take her in to be put down. We thought this must be neurological and she is getting old and has hit her head a few times when she became blind. She might have little seizures where her head and eyes shake a little but we were letting her live out her life - still happy and purring.
I put her down on the bed just now and one of her nails just gently fell right off. Dried blood on the nail and her nail bed. It's more than just a shell. Her nail is gone now. Looks like it's old. Could this be fatal? We are taking her in tomorrow but I really don't want to rush to put her down. She did somehow get litter and feces all caked in her back feet recently and we did a really good job washing it with water.
She's still eating and drinking which gives me a sign that she is trying to recover.
March 19, 2018
0 Recommendations
There are many different causes for an increase in appetite and loss of weight which may be due to malabsorption, cancer, digestive disorders (food not being broken down properly), hormonal disorders among others; the nail however may be due to a traumatic injury or another cause. Coco should be fine until tomorrow, but discuss her condition with your Veterinarian to determine whether now is the time. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
March 19, 2018
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Long haired domestic
Chester
6 Years
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My pet has the following symptoms:
Bleeding
Cracked Nails
Hi,
Chester is 6 years old and is a rescue cat we have had for 2 years now. He has a Heart murmur whcih is being managed although he has developed a nail issue in that he broke one nail, has been operated on 3 times to remove granulation's and the nail is now growing. On looking at all of his nails, the Vet noticed that they were all broken, split or scuffed and have put it down to a deficiency of some sort. We have changed his diet from Whiskas to Hills Nutrition Z/D and are 3 weeks into the new diet, which he is adapting well to. I looked at his paws last night and another had broken and was bleeding. This has been going on for the last six months and I dont know what to do. The Vet is good although cant seem to pinpoint the issue maybe.
Please help Chester
March 13, 2018
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
Thank you for your email. If the Z/D diet is going to help, it won't be an overnight thing, and may take a couple of months to start to see a difference. It might help to biopsy one of the nails if he has to have another surgery. I hope that he does well.
March 13, 2018
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Bombay Cat
Blaine
4 Years
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My pet has the following symptoms:
Completely Split Nails
I trimmed my cats nails about a week ago and when looking at them tonight many of the nails were just split down the middle. This isn’t the first time I’ve cut his nails and nothing has ever happened like this before.
Jan. 27, 2018
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
Thank you for your email. Without seeing Blaine, I can't comment on what might be happening - he may have a bacterial or fungal infection and his nails may be weak, he could have a nutritional deficiency that needs to be addressed, or he may have been scratching more actively recently. Since it doesn't seem normal to you, it would be best to have him examined by your veterinarian, as they can look at Blaine, and his nails, and determine if there is a problem or if things look healthy with him. I hope that everything goes well for him!
Jan. 27, 2018
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Tuxedo cat
Pookie
15 Years
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My cat is 15 yrs old and has developed a "thumb" nail that has extended, curled under, and hardened in place. This has happened recently as I trim his claws about every 2 wks and didnt notice it last time I trimmed. I cant find any information about this online. Can you explain what this is?
Jan. 2, 2018
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
Thank you for your question. Without examining Pookie and seeing the nail, I'm not sure what it might be, but cats do have dewclaws where a 'thumb' would be, and they are often missed during nail trims. They can become thickened, and curl around, sometimes into the pad. It could also be a mass of some kind that needs attention. It would be best to have your veterinarian look at the nail and determine if it is a problem or not. I hope that he does well!
Jan. 2, 2018
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Claw and Nail Disorders Average Cost
From 375 quotes ranging from $200 - $1,000
Average Cost
$400
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Easily compare quotes from the most trusted pet insurance companies in the United States.
