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Advanced Veterinary Care Farmington, Connecticut
Advanced Veterinary Care 376 Scott Swamp Road Route 6 (Next to Mama Luke's & East of Wal*Mart) Farmington, CT, 06032 Dr. Nicole Sylvestre, DVM Dr. Bridget Kviten, DVM Dr. Chelsea Marko, DVM
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Frostbite in Cats
What is frostbite?
Frostbite is damage caused to skin and other tissues due to extreme cold. When the environmental temperature drops below 32°F (0°C), blood vessels close to the skin start to narrow or constrict. This constriction of blood vessels helps to preserve core body temperature by diverting blood toward the core and away from the cooler parts of the body.
In extreme cold, or when the body is exposed to cold for long periods, this protective mechanism can reduce blood flow in some areas of the body to critically low levels, especially the extremities (e.g., paws, ears, and tail. The combination of cold temperatures and reduced blood flow can allow the tissues to freeze, causing severe tissue injury. Frostbite is most likely to happen in body parts farthest from the heart and in tissues with a lot of exposed surface area.
Where is a cat more likely to get frostbite?
The paws, ears, and tail are the most common tissues to be affected. If a cat is wet or damp, these areas are more vulnerable to frostbite.
What are the clinical signs of frostbite?
The clinical signs associated with frostbite include:
As frostbitten tissues thaw, they may become red and painful due to inflammation. The clinical signs of frostbite may take several days to appear, especially if the affected area is small or if it occurs in non-weight bearing areas, such as the tip of the tail or ears. Severely frostbitten areas will become necrotic or die. As the tissue starts to die, it changes to a dark blue to black color. Then, over a period of several days to weeks, it sloughs or falls off. During this time, pus may form, or the tissue may develop a foul smell, due to secondary bacterial infection.
> "As frostbitten tissues thaw, they may become red and painful due to inflammation."Cats with heart disease, diabetes mellitus, or other conditions that cause reduced blood flow to the extremities are at greater risk for frostbite. The ear tips of cats are especially vulnerable to frostbite and damage may occur to these tissues very quickly.
Diagnosis is usually based on medical history and physical examination. If the cat was exposed for a prolonged time or to extremely cold temperatures, blood and urine tests may be performed to look for damage to internal organs.
If you suspect your cat has frostbite, you should seek medical attention immediately. Interim first aid suggestions that you can begin include the following:
Your veterinarian will examine your cat and treat any other conditions, especially systemic shock or hypothermia. Since the thawing tissues are extremely painful, your cat will probably be given pain medication. If tissue necrosis or death is suspected, antibiotics will be used to prevent secondary bacterial skin infection. In severe cases, some cats will require amputation of the affected body part. Other therapies that are sometimes utilized include oclacitinib (Apoquel®), pentoxifylline, aloe vera, and hyperbaric oxygen therapy.
The prognosis for frostbite depends on the extent of your cat's injuries. Mild cases of frostbite usually resolve with little permanent damage, while more severe frostbite may result in permanent disfiguration or alteration of the affected tissues. In extreme cases, amputation or surgical removal of the necrotic (dead) tissues is required. Your veterinarian will discuss the appropriate diagnostic and treatment plan for your cat.
© Copyright 2025 LifeLearn Inc. Used and/or modified with permission under license. This content written by LifeLearn Animal Health (LifeLearn Inc.) is licensed to this practice for the personal use of our clients. Any copying, printing or further distribution is prohibited without the express written consent of LifeLearn. This content does not contain all available information for any referenced medications and has not been reviewed by the FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine, or Health Canada Veterinary Drugs Directorate. This content may help answer commonly asked questions, but is not a substitute for medical advice, or a proper consultation and/or clinical examination of your pet by a veterinarian. Please contact your veterinarian if you have any questions or concerns about your pet’s health. Last updated on Jun 11, 2024.
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376 Scott Swamp Road Route 6 (Next to Mama Luke's East of Wal*Mart) Farmington, Connecticut, 06032 Phone: (860) 677-0309 Fax: 860-677-0805 Email: advancedvetcare@comcast.net
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