What does frostbite look like on dog paws?
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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