Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Cat walks again after frostbite caused paw amputations
By Cormillot, Sophie & Fowler, David·Published in The Canadian veterinary journal = La revue veterinaire canadienne·2025·Guardian Veterinary Centre, Canada·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Functional reconstruction following bilateral amputation of the manus and pes in a cat with frostbite injury.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A young female domestic shorthair cat suffered severe frostbite on all four paws, leading to the need for amputation of her front and back feet. After the amputations, the veterinarian used special techniques to reconstruct the weight-bearing surfaces of her paws and applied skin grafts to heal the remaining wounds. Thankfully, the cat healed well and was able to walk again without any issues. This case shows that with the right surgical techniques, cats can regain their mobility even after significant injuries.
People also search for: cat frostbite treatment · cat paw amputation recovery · how to care for cat after surgery
Abstract
This case report describes metacarpophalangeal (MCP)- and metatarsophalangeal (MTP)-level amputation and reconstruction of all 4 paws of a young female domestic shorthair cat. All 4 paws, the ears, and the distal portion of the tail underwent severe frostbite injury resulting in tissue death. Following MCP and MTP amputation, weight-bearing surface reconstruction was achieved using metacarpal and metatarsal paw-pad advancement flaps. Remaining open wounds on non-weight-bearing surfaces were reconstructed using full-thickness skin grafts. All limbs healed uneventfully, allowing return to weight-bearing function. Key clinical message: Good postoperative function can be achieved with the use of metacarpal and metatarsal paw-pad advancement flaps for reconstruction of multiple-limb MCP- and MTP-level amputations.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39781408/