Content
- Causes for Broken Dog Toenail
- bleeding dog's nail
- How to treat a broken dog's nail at the root
- Do dogs' nails grow back?
- How to prevent the dog from breaking a nail
- how to cut dog's nail
In this PeritoAnimal article, we will explain what can be done in case of broken dog nail at the root and also the dog's nail entering the meat. We will see how it is possible to cure this problem at home and also when it is necessary to take the animal to the veterinarian.
We should always pay special and regular attention to our furry friend's nails, as well as being attentive to the spurs - toes that are on the side of the animal's hind legs. Injuries to the nails and fingers can make it difficult for the dog to move around, so it's a good idea to cut them whenever necessary. Now, if there was any problem during this process, or if the issue is a hanging dog's toenail, keep reading to know what to do.
Causes for Broken Dog Toenail
the dogs have four finger nails of their paws. Some also have the spurs, which are vestigial toes located on the inside of each paw above the foot. In general, dogs keep their nails trimmed through the natural wear and tear that occurs while performing their usual activities, such as running or walking. If for any reason this wear is insufficient, the nails will grow, which can become a source of problems.
very big nails prevent proper positioning of the fingers, which causes the dog to present trouble walking. These nails need to be cut and, if this is the case, you should observe if there are any obstacles hindering their wear, such as the dog's lack of activity or simply poor support. The nails of the spurs, as they are not in contact with the ground, can grow in a circular shape until they become embedded in the flesh. Next, we'll explain what to do if the dog's nail is broken.
There are different causes that can lead to a dog's fall or a broken toenail:
- The dog itself may have pulled the nail out because it was getting in the way to walk
- It may have been broken in a fall or trip
- Or, it could be the result of some infection
- The most common cause is when the nail is too big, which makes the animal have difficulty moving
bleeding dog's nail
Although this is not a frequent situation, it is important to know how to act when the dog's nail broke. In some cases, the break is accompanied by bleeding, which is usually the first symptom to get the guardian's attention.
the blood comes out of a vascularized area of the nail, which is where the nerves and blood vessels meet. It is the pink part present at the base of the nail, if it is white. If the nail breaks in this region, in addition to bleeding, the dog will feel pain.
This video about what it means when the dog lifts its front paw might interest you:
How to treat a broken dog's nail at the root
If it is pulled off or a dog's nail hangs, unless this has affected the vascularized area, there should be no bleeding. So it's possible that the dog has lost a nail without you realizing it.
If the dog's nail broke like that, the most common is that it is not necessary to do anything, as he will not feel pain, it will not affect his mobility and the nail will grow back in a few weeks. In these cases, it is more common for the dog to break the nail of the spur, due to its situation, and not a fingernail.
In case the dog's nail hangs, it will be necessary to remove it. You can use a nail clipper suitable for animals, but first it is good to disinfect the material with alcohol. If removal causes any bleeding, one option is to put a cotton swab and clean gauze to press down on the base of the nail.
Now, if it's a case of broken dog nail at the root and the blood persists, in addition to the option of cotton and a clean gauze, you can also use talc or sodium bicarbonate to stop the bleeding. Immediately afterwards, and if the bleeding has stopped, wash the area.
The normal, even if there is no treatment, is that bleeding occurs for up to five minutes.[1] If it continues for longer than that, you should take the dog to the veterinary clinic. There, the nail will be cauterized to stop bleeding. However, if the veterinary clinic is currently closed, or if you do not have access for some reason, to stop your dog's nail bleeding another option is to use silver nitrate, preferably powder, applied directly to the wound. We repeat that, if this does not work, it will be essential to seek a veterinarian urgently.
Do dogs' nails grow back?
Yes, dog nails regenerate and grow again unless they have been removed completely. In the latter case, the nail will not grow back. However, if your dog has pulled out part of the nail, if it has been cut or broken, don't worry: in a few days it will return to its normal state.
How to prevent the dog from breaking a nail
The fact that the dog has broken a nail can serve as a starting point for you to be more concerned about its care. Therefore, you should regularly check that the nails are short. Otherwise, you should cut them, paying special attention to the spurs, if any. Thus, it is possible to see that the best way to prevent a dog from breaking a nail is to maintain proper hygiene. For this, you can file your nails regularly, using a dog file, or cut them.
how to cut dog's nail
It is good to get the dog used from the first moment to handling the paws and cutting the nails. To cut, start by taking the paw and, with two fingers, exposing the nail fully. Common dog nail clippers, cut always respecting the vascularization area, which is easy in the case of puppies with pale nails, since it is quite visible. For dogs with dark nails, without this visualization possibility, we must cut parallel to the cushion.
Do not use nail clippers for people. If bleeding occurs, you must act as we have already explained. It's better to cut less, just the tip of the nail, than to overdo it and affect vascularity, especially the first few times, as you can scare the dog into a negative reaction to later attempts at clipping. Also know that, if you don't want to take the risk and do it yourself, the staff at the veterinary clinic or canine pet shop can take care of the nail clippings.
For more information, don't miss this article on how to cut a dog's nails at home.
This article is for information purposes only, at PeritoAnimal.com.br we are not able to prescribe veterinary treatments or perform any type of diagnosis. We suggest that you take your pet to the veterinarian in case it has any type of condition or discomfort.
If you want to read more articles similar to Broken nail at the root, what to do?, we recommend that you enter our First Aid section.