What are Thermal Burns?
If your cat has suffered from a thermal burn, the first step is to get your cat away from the source of the burn and examine it. Do not apply ice, ointments, or extreme temperatures to the affected area, such as ice or cold water; these may exacerbate tissue damage and cause your cat to go into shock. Thermal burns should always be treated as an emergency that warrants immediate veterinary attention.
Thermal burns are one of the most common types of burns in cats. Thermal burns occur when cats come into contact with sources of extreme heat – these may include fire, hot or boiling liquids, or other hot objects. Thermal burns are a traumatic type of injury and are usually accidental in nature.
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Symptoms of Thermal Burns in Cats
Symptoms may vary depending on what caused the burn. Typically, there will be immediate evidence of a thermal burn. Take your cat to the vet as soon as possible if you notice any of the following symptoms:
- Signs of pain, such as yowling
- Red, swollen, inflamed skin
- Blackened skin
- Pus-filled or draining blisters
- Limping or lameness
Types
Thermal burns range in severity. However, any and all thermal burns should be treated as an emergency as there is no way for an owner to know the extent of tissue damage resulting from a burn.
Superficial Burn
This the least severe type of burn in cats, and is commonly known as a first-degree burn. Superficial burns affect the surface of the skin, and are characterized by red, swollen blisters.
Partial Thickness Burn
The partial thickness burn extends into the dermis, the second layer of skin, and is commonly known as second-degree burn. These burns are similar in appearance to superficial burns and will bleed when pricked.
Deep Partial Thickness Burn
This type of burn, which is also classed as a second-degree burn, is characterized by a blotchy appearance with red and white blisters that are typically filled with fluid.
Full Thickness Burn
This is the most severe type of thermal burn. The skin turns black and feels like leather. Full thickness burns result in complete destruction of the nerves as well as the top two layers of skin.
Causes of Thermal Burns in Cats
The primary cause of thermal burns in cats is traumatic, and usually accidental, injury.
Diagnosis of Thermal Burns in Cats
Call the vet as soon as you can to let them know what happened and notify them that this will be an emergency case. Do not attempt to clean or wash the burn; your cat will be in pain, but you may make it worse by touching or otherwise irritating the affected area.
Your vet will be able to make a diagnosis based on presentation of symptoms and appearance of the burns. Be sure to tell your vet how your cat was burned and when. During the appointment, your vet will clean the skin, evaluate the type of burn, and assess the tissue damage as best they can. However, it should be noted that the full extent of tissue damage may take several days to manifest.
Treatment of Thermal Burns in Cats
Treating thermal burns will depend on the severity, location, and size of the burn. Burns involving less than fifteen percent of the cat’s body are typically treated with antibiotic topical treatments and pain management medication. Burns affecting more than fifteen percent of the body are treated more aggressively, through medication and/or surgery. If more than fifty percent of the body is burned, the prognosis is typically very poor. Your vet will be able to advise you on a treatment plan based on your cat’s specific needs.
During treatment, the vet will clean the affected skin and remove any dead tissue from the burn, as this is a breeding ground for bacteria. They will then apply the most suitable topical treatment and bandage the burn. Oral antibiotics are usually also prescribed. For severe burns, hospitalization, coupled with intravenous fluid and nutritional therapies, may be required.
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Recovery of Thermal Burns in Cats
Recovery and prognosis will depend on the severity, location, and size of the burn. Always follow your vet’s post-treatment and/or post-operative instructions carefully. Never administer any burn ointments made for human use as these may worsen the condition. Administer all medications exactly as directed.
Superficial burns generally take a week to heal. Partial thickness and deep partial thickness burns may take two to four weeks to heal. Full thickness burns will take more than four weeks to heal.
Upon your cat’s return home, you may need to limit outdoor activity if they require an extensive recovery. Ensure they have a safe place to rest. You will likely need to apply topical antibiotic ointments and bandages every twenty-four hours, as directed by your vet.
If you have any questions, or if the burn does not seem to be healing with treatment, contact your vet immediately.
Thermal Burns Average Cost
From 232 quotes ranging from $500 - $4,000
Average Cost
$1,500
Top
Thermal Burns Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
bengal
Six Years
1 found this helpful
1 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Red
Her upper back right leg near the anus is swollen and has blackened skin the ER vet thinks its a burn but isn't certain i was just hoping to get another opinion
Oct. 26, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
1 Recommendations
Thank you for your question. It is difficult to say what might be going on without being able to see the area If your veterinarian thought that it may be a burn, and your cat is outside at any time or was in a place where that might have happened, I think that is possible. It may be that the skin is darkened from chronic irritation, as well, but that is something that has a fairly typical appearance, and the ER veterinarian probably would have picked up on that.
Oct. 26, 2020
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Domestic Cat
Three Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Excessive Saliva, Tongue Bleeding, High Fever
My cats tongue is sticking out and is bleeding a little , he has some excess saliva, and a high fever. He had some stomach pain but that went away.He is currently with the Vet. He’s been tested for all major illnesses and they all came back negative so the vet has no idea what his diagnosis is. Do you have any idea?
Sept. 25, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
Thank you for your question. I apologize for the delay, this venue is not set up for urgent emails.
I would think of some sort of stomatitis, without being able to see him or examine him.
Oct. 21, 2020
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Shorthair tabby cat
6 months
1 found this helpful
1 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
None
My father had a kettle pot for his tea and my kitty jumped on his leg and he spilt a couple drops of hot water which landed on kitty’s back. Kitty started licking and scratching the area, so i dampened a wash cloth of room temp. water to lightly pat the area. His fur wasn’t singed or anything that was noticeable to the eye. Online it told us that it should heal within 2 weeks; but unfortunately I noticed small bumps under his fur, he won’t let me look deep enough before trying to play with me, I haven’t gotten the chance to look while he slept yet. I don’t know if it’s knotted fur or not?
Aug. 2, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
1 Recommendations
Thank you for your question. Unfortunately, without being able to see your kitchen, I can't say whether it is knotted fur or it is tissue injury from the burn. If you noticed that he is seems painful in that area, or it is starting to ooze or scab over or seems infected or irritated, then it would be best to have him seen by a veterinarian. They will be able to examine him and see more what's going on. I hope that he is okay.
Aug. 2, 2020
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Half Persian
Shadow
1 Year
3 found this helpful
3 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Burn
Hardskin
Thickenedskin
Soar
Hi my cat had some hot tea spilt on his back at the time he ran around like crazy I then put cool water on area and held him in a cool towel which he seemed to appreciate he was fine within 15 mins. it’s been a week and he’s playful with his brother and cuddly as always but I’ve noticed just below his shoulder blades and above his hips just on the spine area under his fur u can feel what seems to be some scabbing or thick hardness that’s developed any advice? When you part his fur you cant see his skin generally so hard to see only feel. Should I put any type of cream /ointment or oil on it to soothe? Is there anything I should look for and will he loose the fur on that area of his back?? He’s not in pain when u stoke it still purrs and rolls on his belly for tummy rubs and eating well
Aug. 15, 2018
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
3 Recommendations
That skin may have been scarred, but if you aren't noticing any odor or loss of skin, you may be fine to monitor him. It is possible that the skin will die and slough, in which case he will need veterinary care to help heal that area.
Aug. 15, 2018
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Orange tabby
Sammy
2 Years
1 found this helpful
1 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Burn-Like Patches
So Sammy seems to have a history of getting out, and he suddenly stopped appearing around the house. We found him under a bed curled up like a ball. He has what seems to be burn marks or scabs on his paw pads, likely from escaping on the roof. They don't seem to be too bad though, but how long should it take for him to heal, given it likely happened two days ago? And if needed, what would be recommended for him to be treated with?
July 15, 2018
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
1 Recommendations
If Sammy is otherwise okay, and is eating and drinking and acting normally, and the wounds on his feet aren't getting infected, it may take a few days for his feet to heal, and no treatment may be needed as cats will lick any ointment off. If he is not eating and drinking, or seems lethargic or painful, it would be best to have him seen by a veterinarian to make sure that he is okay and see if he does need any treatment.
July 15, 2018
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tabby
Binky
6 Months
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Black Frazzled Ear
Small Lump On Ear
My kitten seems to have a burn on the top of her ear - we think she must've touched a hot pan, but we didn't see her do it and she didn't moan. The ear has gone a bit black and frazzled at the top and there is a lump on the inside. She seems absolutely fine and I dabbed it with cold water and she made no fuss, but not sure if I need to take her to the vets?
short hair
Pony Boy
4 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Thickening Of Outside Of Ear
Pony Boy burned his inner and outer ear on the tip of a hot iron over six months ago. He's being treated by my Vet who comes to the house 2x a week with a laser device and applies ointment. There is a lot of scabbing that falls out of the ear and it continues to bleed on and off when he shakes his head. Is this laser therapy a common treatment for burns? Any other suggestions? Its obvious it still bothers him.
Thermal Burns Average Cost
From 232 quotes ranging from $500 - $4,000
Average Cost
$1,500
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