Paranoid Cat Mommy

Teddy917

The vet clinic is now closed so I can't call until Monday. I hate googling medical things since what you'll find can say anything from a cold to cancer no matter the symptoms.
Anyway, I was playing with my cat and one of his favorite things is when I hold his paw. But this time it felt different. So I took a closer look and his thumb claw (don't know what else to call it) is missing. Not just chipped either. It has been completely pulled out.
He's not in any pain but I'm worried. He's an indoor/outdoor cat (not by my choice I'd rather him be pure indoor). Do you think I should be worried?

CMGragain

You might telephone your vet next week, but as long as kitty isn't in pain, no need to panic.  Be sure the litter box is kept very clean.  Infection is one of the bad things that could happen.

theycallmelinz

I wouldn't be worried, I feel like my cat used to lose nails all the time and they would grow back. She lives with my parents now so I haven't experienced this in a while, but I know we would randomly find her claws in the rugs and all. It should be fine.

CMGragain

Are you keeping your cat's claws clipped?  If he is an indoor cat, you should gently trim them at least every two weeks.  The vet does this automatically when you visit.  You can buy easy clippers for cats in any pet store.  Just don't clip into the vein area.  My kitty HATES having his claws clipped!  It does save his getting his claws caught in rugs or furniture.

beethery

If at all possible, ask if you can send them a picture. Might be able to save yourself a trip.

AlexaF2014

found this, (http://www.petsadviser.com/pet-health/how-to-treat-a-torn-cat-nail/)gives at home treatment as well as signs for when to take them to the vet. I think if you keep monitoring your cat's behavior and checking for signs of infection, he should be okay.

- I AM NOT A VET and this is not professional medical advice. Trust your gut and take him to a professional if you feel something is still wrong Monday when they're open. 

Wishing your kitty a speedy recovery!

Teddy917

Thanks. I'm glad to hear that this probably isn't a big deal.

ohannabelle

Fluffy loses claws. I went into a full fledged panic the first time, but her paws seem healthy, and she isn't sleeping any more than her normal 20 hours a day. 

If he isn't in pain, and eating and playing normally, I wouldn't stress, and give the vet a call Monday, so they can reassure you.

LadyMillil

In my area there is a 24 hour, 7 day vet that I can call. They consult over the phone and let you know if kitty should be brought in immediately or can wait until your vet is open. There might be something similar in your area.

ohannabelle

Here you go, @Teddy917. Perfectly normal.

"Cat owners expect to find discarded fur and even the occasional whisker around the house, but it can be disconcerting to find a kitty’s claw stuck to the sofa or a scratching post.

Dr. Roy Brenton Smith, DVM, of the Central Texas Cat Clinic and president elect of theAmerican Association of Feline Practitioners, has certainly seen his share of owners who are thrown by the experience. “They come in with the claw — upset that something bad happened,” says Dr. Smith.

What Causes Claw Sheaths to Fall Off?

The good news is that the process is natural and actually beneficial for a cat. Claws are essential for felines, who use them for defense, climbing and hunting.

According to Dr. Smith, when this happens, the nail has grown beyond the blood supply, so the outside sheath is discarded to make room for a newer, sharper version. He estimates that this happens to each claw about every two to three months in the average housecat."

pinkcow13

Awww I'm a paranoid cat mom too. Sounds lime the PP's got it covered, though. As long as he isn't in any pain, and is acting normal, sounds like it's not something to be alarmed about. A few nights ago my cat wa gagging but not vomiting and it freaked out. This happened in the middle of the night and I stayed up with him for like an hour and a half lol. FI called me an overbearing cat mom.

lc07

Kitty sheds claws but when she sheds them, she's shedding the outer layer and there's still a nail (that is very skinny and sharp and long) underneath. She has never lost one entirely that I know of. 

I would call a 24 hour care clinic if your cat seems to not be acting normally. Otherwise, I would probably just wait til Monday.

levioosa

Ditto PPs.  I've had cats lose claws too before.  What was more disconcerting was when my old cat lost her teeth.  

hellosweetie1015

If Kitty is noticeably bothered/in pain because of it, then find a 24-hr vet and see if you can have them look at a picture without you coming in and decide if it can wait until Monday. 

If it's NOT bothering him (I'd even go so far as to say if he's acting mostly normal with a bit of limping), don't worry about it until Monday, if at all. If it's the whole claw and not just a sheath, because losing sheaths is totally 100% normal, it may just be that he caught it on something and yanked it out. Cats can lose nails just like humans can. It's not FUN but it's unlikely that it's hurting him with any significance. We're waiting on one of the claws on my cat's back foot to fall off; we think he caught it on the fence chasing a squirrel. It bothered him a little - he limped for a day or so - but since it's not the first time we've had a cat do something like this we didn't even worry about the stress of a vet visit. 

arrippa

CMGragain said:

Are you keeping your cat's claws clipped?  If he is an indoor cat, you should gently trim them at least every two weeks.  The vet does this automatically when you visit.  You can buy easy clippers for cats in any pet store.  Just don't clip into the vein area.  My kitty HATES having his claws clipped!  It does save his getting his claws caught in rugs or furniture.

Not always, the last few vets that I used didn't automatically clip them. I always had to make a separate appt. My cat looses his nails quite a bit. I see them sticking out of his scratching post.

CMGragain

The vet that I take our kitty to always seems surprised that his claws are already clipped, and told me I was doing a good job.