How To Treat A Broken Dog Nail

dog broken nail — Dogs tin go a broken smash on numerous surfaces, including asphalt. Photo: Aaron Tait

At some indicate your dog volition probably tear, fissure or break a nail.

The dew claws — the nails plant college up on the forepart of the pes — are nigh susceptible to tearing and breaking. This is considering they are more loosely attached than regular nails, putting them more at take chances.

One common cause of a cracked or broken nail is boom clipping.

When y'all're trimming the dog'southward nails, information technology takes simply a small jerk of the canis familiaris's paw to cause a nail to intermission or chip, and if the dog yanks difficult enough, they could tear a blast partially or rip it out completely.

Nails that are also long are more probable to snag and exist torn — and long nails are more than likely to break or crack when a domestic dog is walking or running on cobblestone, physical, or similar hard surfaces.

In improver, some dogs are just born with weaker nails, making them more susceptible to damage.

Symptoms of a Damaged Nail

Favoring a paw by holding it in the air rather than walking on it
Limping or visibly not putting weight on a paw while walking
Blood on your domestic dog's bedding
Constant licking of a hand
A visibly swollen paw or toe
Resistance when you endeavor to examine a paw or toe
Nail at an odd angle

If you are comfortable doing and then, examine your domestic dog's paw if the dog exhibits any of the above symptoms.

If the toe is sore and injured, dogs may not allow yous to examine or bear upon their foot — and if and then, it's time to go to a veterinarian.

If your dog does allow y'all to examine the paw, you might even so consider a muzzle or at least a helper who can divert your dog's attention, and their mouth, abroad from your hands as you examine them.

Nail broken to the quick? See a veterinarian as soon as possible. By: arturstaszewski — Nail broken to the quick? See a veterinarian for proper handling. Photo: arturstaszewski

5 Tips for Treating Your Domestic dog's Broken Nail — Please Consult Your Vet Kickoff

If your domestic dog has broken the nail down to the quick, you demand to become to the vet's role for proper treatment, possibly with your pet under sedation. It's a painful injury.

Try the 5 tips beneath simply if the nail wasn't cleaved to the quick.

1. Advisedly remove the remaining piece of nail.

The idea is to remove the remaining slice of nail (the piece of nail that'southward dangling) to prevent further injury and to allow for proper healing and regrowth of the nail.

Some people written report using pet blast clippers to cut off dangling slice of smash merely higher up the indicate where it is broken or torn. This might make a clean cut in the nail that volition increase the chances of the nail growing back properly.

Withal — and this is a big however — Dr. Pippa Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS, says this would not necessarily be a wise thing to attempt.

"It is unlikely yous'll be able to trim the smash back without cutting the quick — which is extremely painful and results in haemorrhage," Dr. Elliott advises. "Therefore, this is best washed under sedation, unless the crack is at the tip of a very long nail."

2. Stop the haemorrhage.

Removing the blast may crusade your dog's toe to bleed, especially if the breakage occurred at the quick of the boom.

Make sure you lot have your pet emergency kit out:

A styptic pencil or pulverisation applied to the wound volition stop the bleeding almost immediately. It contains a cauterizing amanuensis that seals the wound.
If y'all don't have a styptic pencil or powder, y'all can apply some regular flour or cornstarch to the wound and compress with a towel for a few minutes until the bleeding stops.

3. Clean the wound and disinfect the toe to forestall infection.

Bathe the paw in warm h2o, and exist sure that all traces of dirt and droppings are gone.

Spray a pet antiseptic on the toe — this will disinfect the area and relieve any discomfort from the open wound.

If the wound bleeds again, employ pressure level or employ a styptic pencil or powder.

4. Bandage the mitt.

Dogs don't like having their paws bandaged, then this tin exist a tricky procedure.

You can effort wrapping the paw in a loose-plumbing fixtures cast, using kickoff-help tape to hold in place.
Some other method is to place a clean sock on the paw and tape it into place. A sock often works improve than a regular cast because it's less restrictive for the movement of the paw, which makes it more likely that your dog will non pull information technology off.
If your dog pulls the bandage or sock off, you may want to place a plastic cone (Elizabethan collar, or "E collar") around the domestic dog's neck for a few days until the wound heals.

five. Change the bandage every day and proceed the area clean.

Alter the cast or sock one time daily to check the healing procedure and to proceed the area clean.

Remove the bandage and breast-stroke the paw in warm h2o.

Check the paw for the following signs of infection:

Swelling of the toe
An oozing pus discharge
Bleeding that may or may not exist mixed with pus

If you see signs of infection, take your dog to the vet immediately. Your vet will most likely prescribe antibiotics to clear upwards the infection.

If the wound is healing as it should, place a new cast or sock on the paw. If your domestic dog is wearing an East collar, after 2–3 days, the wound should be healed to a degree that your dog volition not lick information technology and the E collar can be removed.

Call back to follow your vet'south instructions — exactly.

In this video, Dr. Candy Olson, DVM, explains more than about a domestic dog'due south broken nail:

Treating a Cleaved Dew Claw on a Dog

Broken dew claw treatment varies slightly, as your veterinarian may recommend complete removal of both of the dew claws if injury occurs to one.

This is a common procedure for certain breeds. After healing, your dog volition exist able to run and walk just equally before.

References

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Buzhardt, Lynn, DVM. "First Aid for Broken Nails in Dogs." VCA Hospitals. 2015. https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/first-aid-for-cleaved-nails-in-dogs.
Eldredge, Debra M., DVM. Domestic dog Possessor's Home Veterinary Handbook, 4th Edition. Howell Book House. 2007.
Redding, Richard Due west., DVM, MSc, PhD, and Myrna L. Papurt, DVM. The Dog'southward Drugstore. MacMillan. 2001. 197–98.
Tedaldi, Jake, DVM. What'southward Wrong With My Dog? Fair Winds Printing. 2007. lxxx–81.

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This pet health content was reviewed for accuracy by a veterinarian, Dr. Pippa Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS. This article was originally published in 2015 and is regularly reviewed for accurateness. It was last updated February. 1, 2020.

If you have questions or concerns, phone call your vet, who is best equipped to ensure the health and well-being of your pet. This article is for informational purposes merely and is not a substitute for professional medical communication, diagnosis or treatment. See additional data.