Question:
On Friday I posed the question . . . and have an answer to report:

My MollyCat has small little growths, one each, coming out of the top of the pads on her paw. The growths look like a little nail coming out of the top of her paw pads. She still has her nails, and her nails are white. The growth from each paw pad is black, the same colour as her paw pad. It doesn't seem to bother her very often when she runs or jumps, however, the odd time she will shake her paw as if trying to shake it off. Last evening I got the nerve to touch the "growth" and it seemed to hurt her. She has one growing from each pad on her front right side only. The other 3 paws don't have it.

Has anyone ever seen or heard of this?

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Well, I was at the vet's on Saturday and he said that it sounded like she had calluses on her toes! He asked if she was scratching on something hard (like trees, etc. outside). She is an indoor cat, and the only thing I can think of is that she likes to chase wads of paper and while chasing, she stops by sliding on my parkay floor.

The vet couldn't be sure because my cat was in such a state, he could not even examine her (again!!). Unfortunately I have a cat that doesn't like to be touched, and REALLY doesn't like people (even me, sometimes)

Anyway, the long and short of it is that I have to apply vaseline to her paw. Yeah, sure. Only in my dreams will I ever be able to touch her paw! All I can do is try.

Answer:
Hi Karen. I know you said it's hard to handle your cat. But would you be able to take a picture of these growths? Maybe while she's asleep and with a telephoto lense? I find it hard to believe that callouses would appear only on one paw, and would look like "little nails". I can't see parquet floors doing that to a cat's paws - unless the floor was in really bad shape and had splinters sticking out of it. My first thought was that she stepped on a cactus or something and the spines got embedded?

Answer:
Calluses on the tops of her paws, from sliding on the floor? I can't see that happening unless she slides or runs with her paws curled under her.

You might want to see another vet - one who knows how to handle difficult and/or feral cats, and who will examine her properly.

Answer:
I am in the process of trying to find another vet who she might (actually) tolerate. As I said she is very difficult to handle. I will try the vaseline, but I really would like a second opinion. I will let you know the results, once I have located a "gentler" vet. Any recommendations for a vet in Toronto (west-end, say west of Dufferin Street, south of Highway #7)?

Answer:
Hi-
I am writing in response to your question about the cat with the growth on her paw. I was trying to find some information on this online because my cat has the same thing, and I came across your posting. I am taking my cat to the vet tomorrow. This will be the second time he has gone to the vet for this growth. The first vet had no idea and tried to cut most of it off, which didn't seem to hurt him, but it grew back, and it looks sort of detached from the paw. It doesn't seem to hurt him either, but when I picked at it he cried, so I have no idea. If I find out anything more I will let you know. Andrea

Answer:
Hi Everyone,

I was reading your postings and saw that you guys have the same problem I have with my cat Riley. The weird thing is I also have parkay flooring in my apartment and my cat also has two growths from the pads of her paws that look like a nail coming out of it. Did any of you hear back about what that is and why they get them? I've been trying to look on the net all night and can't find anything.

Please help!

Angie

Answer: