A while back I happened to notice my cat Nila had an infected toe/foot. She walked normal so it was by sheer accident when patting her that I found out.
Cats tend to hide injury from their keepers. The only thing I did notice was her being cranky towards my kitten Roosje.

It smelled quite bad so I knew it was quite badly infected.
Now I don't normally race to the vet's with my cats. I always try to heal them myself and so far I've always succeeded whenever they had an injury. (thank goodness not often)
But it being her rear left paw... I didn't see that work out with salt water baths. I tried, but li'l Ms Nila was not impressed, hihi.

I decided to go to the vet's after all. I didn't want to risk her losing part of her foot and I knew it wouldn't miraculously just heal.

She got antibiotics and painkiller injections and I got the same home to give orally.
She quickly cheered up and turned to her normal chirpy self.
Infection went away but... after about a week it came back.
I didn't want to spend another E95 at the vet's. I decided to try healing it myself this time.

So salt water baths, even though Nila greatly objected, hihi. But... she didn't scratch nor bite me even though she was very much not in agreement.
I also bought honey ointment, suitable for both animals and people.
She didn't like that much either, worse than the salt water, as the ointment had a rather strong scent.
But I managed to get it on her toe some 4-5 times.

Outdoors I noticed she was eating lots and lots of duckweed from my li'l pond, scooping it up and eating it off her paw. Ridiculous amounts at that.
Interesting! I Googled it, turns out duckweed is anti-inflammatory, lots of protein, strengthening immune system and whatnot.
The wisdom of cats!!
She knew exactly what to eat to help heal herself?!!

About a week of this combi -salt water, honey ointment, duckweed eating- and the toe had healed!!
No flooding her system with anti-biotics a 2nd time, no E95 at the vet's and cat-stress to get her there.

And I saw the other day that the nail has grown back!
The vet had said it was too damaged and likely wouldn't come back but it has :D

Just wanted to share this. I've always healed my cats myself without needing a vet, from a very infested shot wound from an air rifle (such a lovely neighbour) to scratch wounds from fighting, and now Nila's toe.
It's much healthier for the animal than getting antibiotics and chemical shizzel in their body.
All the while using common sense of course, knowing when your animal does need a vet!

Beautiful!

Well done Crystal,
and great to read your cat is well too...

Thank you, Stormy and Jaan Doh!

And yep, very happy my Nila is healthy again :D

Weldone I’m looking forward to get one

That's great your cat is doing well now.
I often search things on net to see remedies
for cats. They do work for some things. I only have one cat she is my best buddy. She has been to a vet. but
she is Indoors only cat and now 19 yrs. old. Indoor cats are known to live longer. I had a man tell me today he's taking care of his mom's cat now and it is 23 yrs. old.

I'm not a old "cat lady." I only wanted one.

hope your cat is in good health