What does frostbite look like on dog paws?
Yolanda Hill
2025-08-20 16:15:26
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The color of a dog’s paw pads will change, sometimes drastically, if she is dealing with frostbite. For example, if your dog naturally has black paw pads, they might turn gray or very pale; if she has pink paw pads, they might turn blue. No matter the color, if your dog’s paw pads are changing in appearance after she’s been outside in the cold, this is not a good sign. The longer the frostbite continues, the more swelling the paw pad is likely to experience. If the paw pad is both swollen and discolored, this is a very good indicator that your dog has frostbite and needs emergency vet treatment to recover. Blistering is another common symptom of frostbite on dog paws, which usually means the frostbite is moderate to severe. Blisters may appear as pus-filled or fluid-filled sacs on the paw pad, or they may look more like open wounds or ulcers on the skin. Blackening of the skin is one of the worst symptoms of frostbite on a dog’s paw pads, which means the skin tissue has died completely in these locations. If you notice black spots on your dog’s paw pads that are not there normally and you know she has been outside in the cold, treat this as a serious medical emergency.
Carlee Davis
2025-08-10 08:16:06
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If your dog has been out in the cold for what you would consider a long time, take a moment to check their paw pads for the following signs: Swelling of the pads Pale/grayish discoloration Blisters or ulcers Dead and/or blackened skin Swelling and pain. You should also check your dog’s paws if they appear to be limping, are licking their paws frequently, or seem to be in pain. A good sign of pain is if you touch your pet’s paws, and they jerk away, cry out or act aggressive.
Michelle Hauck
2025-08-01 10:43:19
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Frostbite on dogs' paws has a classic appearance and is typically easy to diagnose based upon known exposure to winter temperatures. The physical appearance of dog frostbite may vary based upon severity of the injury and how recent the exposure was. Shallow frostbite results in skin paler in color than the surrounding area. The skin may peel and lose hair, develop blisters or turn red. The affected area may also be numb or painful. Deeper freezing causes the affected skin to harden. This area may be cool to the touch, even when the dog is no longer exposed to cold temperatures. Darkened skin is typically the most severely affected. This skin may weep, bleed or secrete yellow-green material. With time, severe injuries may cause tissue death and sloughing.
Sheila Casper
2025-08-01 09:06:07
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The paws, ears, and tail are the most common tissues to be affected. If a dog is wet or damp, these areas are more vulnerable to frostbite. The clinical signs of frostbite include: discoloration of the affected area of skin - often pale, gray or bluish. As frostbitten tissues thaw, they may become red and painful due to inflammation. 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.
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