What Causes A Sudden Thickening Of A Cats Nails?

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No matter how well you take care of your true cat's claws, they may end up with a problem that causes one or more than of them to exist deformed. This tin be due to age, trauma, or an infection. To figure out if in that location is something incorrect with your cat's nails, check for abnormalities, thickening of the nail, or signs of infection. Then, take them to the vet for an exam and then you lot can treat the condition.

i
Wait for thicker nails. The nails of cats should be thin and sharp, not thick. If your true cat's nails become thicker and harder, this may be a symptom of an underlying health trouble.^[1]
- Older cats can develop thicker nails as they age.
- Thickening of the nails sometimes occurs with an increase thirst. If this happens, take your true cat to the vet.
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Notice any trauma to the nail bed. Sometimes, cats may wound their boom bed somehow. This could occur in a fight or if they get it caught on something and tear information technology. If the nail experiences trauma, the claw may grow in plain-featured.^[2]
- To spot trauma to the smash, look for missing or broken nails, blood, or pus. You may also check around the nail bed to see if there is any swelling or redness. Your cat may also limp or feel pain if that mitt is touched.
- This happens well-nigh often to the dew claw.
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three

Check for scaly nails. Your cat may develop deformed claws that are infected, rough, and scaly at the base. The nail may likewise exist pitted. This deformity is caused from an infection related to ringworm.^[3]
iv

Monitor for embedded nails. If a true cat's nails aren't trimmed often enough, they can go so long that they ringlet and grow into the paw pad. This can be painful and cause nail deformities. This commonly occurs in older or inactive cats.^[4]
5

Look for changes in behavior. If the cat'south nails are bothering them, they may non be equally agile as usual. They may limp as they walk. You lot may also notice that they are licking their paws more than than usual.
6

Notice any abnormalities. Any abnormality of the claw or deformed smash may indicate a trouble. The nail should be white or clear with a pink cuticle underneath. If at that place is whatsoever discoloration, swelling, pus, or foul odors, at that place may be a problem.^[5]

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1
Have your cat to the vet. Getting your vet to practice a physical test on your cat can get the nail checked out so they can properly diagnose the problem. They may enquire you for a medical history of your true cat and if they are experiencing whatever other odd symptoms.^[6]
- Don't hesitate to take your pet's nails checked out. Anything that looks odd, different, or abnormal could bespeak a bigger problem.
- If you await likewise long, the infection may become worse or the cat may lose their nail.
2
Undergo tests. Depending on what the vet thinks the underlying problem is for the deformed nail, they will probably do tests. For example, if the vet believes the deformity is due to an infection, they will take a bacterial and fungal culture.^[7]
- Your vet may draw a claret sample to exam for parasites or infection.
- If the vet suspects ringworm, they will perform a examination where they examine the cat with a special lamp that will indicate ringworm.^[8]
three

Get a biopsy. For some causes of plain-featured nails, like autoimmune skin diseases, a biopsy may exist needed. The vet volition do a skin scrape and analyze it to determine what status is causing the plain-featured nails.^[ix]

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1
Go the vet to cut the nail. If the plain-featured nail is an ingrown boom that has been infected, the vet may have to cut or remove the nail. Even just cutting the nail can be very painful for your cat. The vet may have to put them under anesthesia and so they do not experience too much hurting.^[10]
- If there are other problems with the nail, the vet may cutting away part of the nail before treating it in some other way.
- In some cases, your cat may demand to be sedated before they can have the smash removed.
2
Treat an infection with antibiotics. If the deformed blast is due to an infection or ringworm, your vet volition prescribe antibiotics or other medications to care for the infection. If the infection is due to a fungus, antifungals will be prescribed. They may exist in the form of an oral tablet, a soak, or a topical ointment.
- This handling may last up to three months after a healthy boom has replaced the plain-featured one.
iii

Monitor the nail during recovery. Most reasons for nail deformities are treatable with medication or modest boom surgery. Nigh cats recover quickly. However, yous should still monitor the smash to make sure it heals and doesn't develop any boosted issues or get worse.^[11]

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To tell if your true cat has smash deformities, look around the nail bed for signs of trauma, like swelling, redness, claret, pus, or sensitivity to touch. Check to see if the nails have curled and grown into the paw pad, which might mean your true cat'southward nails aren't being trimmed frequently plenty. Be on the sentinel for signs of a possible underlying status. For example, rough, scaly nails might be acquired by a ringworm infection. If you come across whatever of these nail deformities or notice your cat limping, take it to the vet to exist clinically diagnosed. If the deformed nail is an ingrown nail that has been infected, the vet may accept to cut or remove the nail. So, your cat will probably be put on antibiotics to treat the infection. For more than tips from our Veterinarian co-author, similar how to monitor your cat's smash during recovery, keep reading!

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