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

4 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

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 Icon1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Smart Picks for Smart Questions

Health & Wellness
My dog's paw is swollen. How to get vet care when money is tight?
Thank you for contacting PetCoach 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-affordable-veterinary-care/ I hope this helps!
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Vet Q & A
My old cat's paw is swollen and infected. What can I do without a vet?
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.
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Health & Wellness
My cat has a painful paw and is limping. How to get vet bill help?
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 Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Vet Q & A
Stray kitten has swollen, draining eye. How to get affordable vet care?
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 23rd, 2025
Health & Wellness
My stray cat has swollen face, bloody eye. Can't afford vet. Help!
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_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/
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Vet Q & A
My outdoor cat has a burn-like injury. How can I afford vet care?
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://www.dogheirs.com/resources-affordable-veterinary-care/
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Vet Q & A
My cat's paw is swollen, red, and losing hair. Should I see a vet?
Poor Ronnie! Swelling of the paws is typically either caused by an abscess or a fracture. He probably has loss of hair due to excessive licking or dragging of the foot. He needs to be taken in to your local vet to have this area investigated. IF this is an abscess (infected pocked due to trauma), then he needs to have this area lanced first and then he needs a short course of antibiotics to resolve this. If he has a fracture then you have to discuss with your vet about splinting the foot and any further treatment recommendations based on the extent of the fracture. I hope your kitty gets this foot taken care of soon! Here are some financial resources if needed: carecredit.com redrover.org
Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Related Searches

Cat SuppliesCat FoodPain Meds & Arthritis Relief for CatsCat MedicineCat First AidPet PharmacyVaccines and Shots for CatsCat AntibioticsCat Health & WellnessHeart & Blood Pressure Medicine for CatsCat Asthma MedicationAntifungal Medication for CatsCat Allergy & Itch ReliefPrescription Cat Allergy MedicineCat Styptic PowderHeartworm Prevention for CatsCat Urinary Tract & Kidney MedicationCat LaxativesDog Medicine and PrescriptionsCat Eyedrops & Ear Medication
Have A Vet Question?

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

Book Now

Share

Styled arrow button