What is Frostbite?
Initially, frostbite is not painful and the area may even lack sensation, but as the cat thaws out, the affected areas become extremely painful. The damage to tissue can be so severe that salvage is not possible, and amputation may be required.
Frostbite occurs when a cat is exposed to extreme cold and the tissue of extremities (such as the ear tips, paws, or tail tip) dies off. This happens because the body protects vital organs by re-routing blood away from the skin and to the core. Unfortunately, the combination of poor circulation and ice crystals inside living cells leads to tissue death.
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Symptoms of Frostbite in Cats
The full extent of the damage done by frostbite may not become evident for several days. Also, be aware that a cat with frostbite is also likely to be suffering from the effects of hypothermia (dangerously low body temperature).
- The cat feels cold to the touch
- The paws, tail tip or ears feel icy
- Initially, the affected area may be numb or lack sensation
- Fur falls out, leaving bald, inflamed areas
- Blistering of the skin
- Skin has a discolored or grayish appearance
- Layers of skin may flake and peel away
- Days later the area may swell and turn black
- Ear tips may curl and shrivel
- A few days after exposure to the cold, frostbitten tissue may start to smell as secondary infections set in.
Types:
Experts measure frostbite in 3 levels, or “degrees,” based on the layers of skin that are affected.
Experts measure frostbite in 3 levels, or “degrees,” based on the layers of skin that are affected.
- Frostnip (first-degree frostbite) - Mildest form affecting only the top layer of skin causing minor skin discoloration.
- Superficial frostbite (second-degree frostbite) - Moderate form affecting the top two layers of skin, requires veterinary care.
- Deep frostbite (third-degree frostbite) - Most dangerous form affecting all three skin layers and can result in bacterial infections, tissue necrosis and amputation. Requires immediate veterinary care.
Causes of Frostbite in Cats
Ultimately, frostbite is caused by exposure to temperatures below 0 centigrade (37 Fahrenheit). Those cats which are most vulnerable are those without shelter, are sick and debilitated, or are suffering from conditions such as diabetes or heart disease which impair circulation.
Wind chill or a wet coat can significantly increase the risk of frostbite, and the longer the cat is exposed to low temperatures the greater the risk. Another factor is direct contact with metallic objects, which can become extremely cold.
Diagnosis of Frostbite in Cats
Diagnosis is made largely by a history of cold exposure and visual inspection of the type and distribution of the cat's lesions. Many cases that are highly suspicious of frostbite will be treated as such, and if they fail to respond to treatment further diagnostics be pursued.
In some cases, the veterinarian may need to rule out other conditions with a similar appearance, such as sun damage to ear tips, burns, vasculitis, and immune-mediated diseases such as lupus. However, most of these conditions will have been present prior to exposure to the cold, so targeted questioning of the owner can help the clinician reach a rapid diagnosis.
It may be appropriate to run screening blood tests to check for organ damage as a result of hypothermia. Also, skin biopsies of the affected area can rule out other conditions and guide the clinician as to how likely the affected tissue is to recover.
Treatment of Frostbite in Cats
Immediate First Aid
If you find a cat with frostbite, they are likely to be suffering from the extreme cold. Prompt first aid includes taking the cat out of the cold and providing warmth whilst you transport them to the vet.
- Do not rub the affected areas to try and restore circulation, as it will further traumatize already damaged tissue
- Do not apply direct heat, which would cause peripheral vessels to shut down further
- Do not give any pain medication (leave this to the vet)
- Do soak the affected areas in warm (blood temperature) water
- Do wrap the cat in a warm blanket
Veterinary Treatment
Your vet will continue the warming process using warm intravenous fluids to re-establish circulation and raise the core temperature. Other therapy includes:
- Pain relief (given once a good blood supply to the kidneys is ensured)
- Applying warm dressings to the extremities
- Antibiotics to reduce the risk of secondary infections
In the next few days as the full extent of tissue die back is revealed, the vet will:
- Assess which tissue is vital and which is dead
- Debride away dead tissue. This may need to be repeated every couple of days, until a margin of healthy tissue is established. The cat will need either sedation or anesthesia for this procedure.
- If necessary, amputate the affected extremity
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Recovery of Frostbite in Cats
The full extent of the frostbite may not be evident for seven to ten days, at which point radical surgery may be required to remove an affected tail tip, ear, or toe. Whether amputation is necessary depends on the severity of the frostbite.
Mild cases of frostbite, with the aid of pain relief and antibiotics, are likely to make a full recovery. More serious cases, if they survive the hypothermia, may need surgery and be left with the permanent loss of part of their anatomy.
If amputation is required then the cat must not be allowed to lick or chew the sutures, and will need to stay indoors until healing is complete, around ten days later. It may be wise to substitute shredded paper for cat litter, so the latter does not stick to the wound.
Once the sutures are removed, the cat can go back to a normal lifestyle, with the proviso that they are given shelter from extreme weather.
Frostbite Average Cost
From 236 quotes ranging from $300 - $3,000
Average Cost
$1,100
Top
Frostbite Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
Domestic house cat
Babi
8 Months
2 found this helpful
2 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Swelling
My cat went outside at -26 temperature. She always does go out just to go to washroom and check the property. Only out for max of an hour. But this time she she came in her right ear was frozen with ice all on it.
I took a face cloth and held it on her ear to warm it. It did the but now it is swollen. Normal color. Looks like the other ear but swollen.
Jan. 14, 2018
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
2 Recommendations
Thank you for your email. Poor Babi! It would be best to have her seen by your veterinarian, as the tissues may slough off, and she may need supportive care , and it may be painful. I hope that she is okay.
Jan. 14, 2018
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Tuxed
Kitty
1 Year
1 found this helpful
1 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Swelling
Limb Swelling
Limping
My cat got out on me in 12 degree weather for about 12 hours and at some point snowed during the night. She is now limping and isn't crying out of pain. Can she have frostbite?
Dec. 31, 2017
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
1 Recommendations
Thank you for your email. Poor Kitty! It is possible that she may have gotten frostbite, or that she was injured in some other way - it would be best if she was examined by your veterinarian to make sure that she is okay, if she needs any treatment or pain medication. I hope that she is okay!
Dec. 31, 2017
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short hair
Lukey
8 Months
9 found this helpful
9 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Paw Swelling
My cat got out is the house without our knowing. While we were running errands, our cat was out in the cold for 2hrs. The temperature was an about -22 C. We found him huddled by our basement window, sheltered from the wind. He is now limping on his paws, and avoiding walking at all costs. His paw pads are pink, with no grey colour. He also allows us to touch his paws and pads without meowing in pain. Is it possible that they are burned from the cold? Or could it be frostbite?
Dec. 30, 2017
9 Recommendations
Most likely his paws had a reduction of blood flow due to the cold temperature and in turn now the temperature indoors is warm the blood is returning which is causing pain and discomfort for him; most likely he may require some time before his paws become comfortable again, however keep a close eye on the colour and ensure that they are warm and don’t turn cold as this would indicate a lack of blood flow and would require veterinary attention immediately. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
Dec. 30, 2017
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Calico
Lola
7 Years
2 found this helpful
2 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Sore Nose
Matted Fur
My cat has a hard lump of fur on her nose. We went camping and it was a little chilly so I am worried she might have frost bite. It never got below 3 degrees. It appears almost like a Matt of fur on her nose and the tissue around it is a grey black color. Seems painful when I try and touch it. It almost looks like mange when their fur gets clumped.
Nov. 6, 2017
2 Recommendations
It is difficult to say what the cause of the lump is without examining Lola, you should keep an eye on it and visit your Veterinarian since it is causing some pain; it may be related to temperature, irritation from something in the environment or something else. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
Nov. 6, 2017
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domestic short hair
Damian
2 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Ears Were Cold
Upper Respiratory Infection(Look)
Very Happy To Be In My House
I live on a farm, my cats have their own "house" with beds and litter boxes. Anyway, my Damian got picked on by one of the older toms and didn't show up for nightly feeding and lockup. Which was weird for him, he always showed up for me. I looked around for an hour and half because it was supposed to be -38 that night. I just hoped he got back to the barn. Dad found him the next morning, in a snowbank, amazingly still alive. Dad took him into the cat house, where all the cats were cause it was too cold for them to be outside. When dad laid Damian down on one of their pillows 4 other cats came right over to warm him up. When I got home, I went and got Damian out of the cat house and brought him into my house. I tried letting the vet look at him, but Damian wouldn't have any of it. The only things he let the vet do was take his temperature and listen to his heart and lungs. So we came home with antibiotics and pain meds. Damian really doesn't like the antibiotics. It's a fight twice a day, which I will gladly do because I still have my cat. He is losing the tips of both ears and his front left paw took some damage, but he is using it a little bit more this week than last week.
Frostbite Average Cost
From 236 quotes ranging from $300 - $3,000
Average Cost
$1,100
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Easily compare quotes from the most trusted pet insurance companies in the United States.
