My cat has been attacked :(

Question
I have a cat who is a British short-hair, aged 1 and three months, but he is very big in size. Anyway, he is always out in the garden, and has regular fights with other cats naturally but mostly with this other ginger cat. However, one day, my cat was out for about 7 hours, although he stays for about 2 hours maximum, feels hungry and comes home. This time, he came hours later looking very upset and ill. I observed him for a while then realised that all four of his paws had their nails snipped from the red part, where the nerve is. I usually cut my cat's nails every 3 weeks from the curved thin part, but I was immensely shocked and upset when I saw this had happened to my cat. He is in so much pain, and does not run around like he used to. I could not imagine that he had lost them during a fight or perhaps damaged them some how, because they were all clean cut. I wiped his fur with a damp cloth because he seemed hot and on the fur was unusual black dust which I had never seen on him before. I was thinking perhaps the owner of the ginger cat that my cat had a fight with (my cat is wayyyy stronger and tougher than the ginger cat) has sought to seek revenge on my poor kitty? I am so heart broken and worried about him.. Also, I noticed the tip of his tongue has gone redder than his usual peachy pink colour-maybe because he has a fever? Anyway, if you have any advise I would extremely appreciate it as I am so worried.
Many thanks

Answer
Katherine,

Get your cat to your vet immediately!!!!!!!!! He must be tended to to prevent infection and you can inquire whether the claws will grow back.  You can also inquire if this might have been a freak accident or your cat was attacked by an abusive, evil human!!!!!!!!!!  Your vet can also check out his tongue, but I would guess it is from trying to lick and clean his own wounds.

Please let me know what your veterinarian says.

Shocked & concerned regards... Norm.