Infected dew claws require prompt veterinary attention. Your vet will need to conduct a complete examination to identify the origin of the infection and may need to run additional tests. Treatment will be based on the underlying cause and can include antibiotics along with anti-bacterial or anti-fungal treatments.
Dew claws can heal naturally eventually but there are some home remedies you can try before taking them to the vet as well! These are important issues for dog owners to know, as it is. not uncommon for your dog to have a broken nail, which can mean a lot of bleeding and a risk of infection.
Redness, swelling and pus around the nail usually indicate a bacterial or fungal infection. Dogs might be unable to leave their paws alone or show signs of pain while walking, as well. Dogs with infected claws may exhibit one or many symptoms, and the combination of symptoms can say a lot about the underlying cause.
If it is torn but still connected to the leg, then the nail will probably need to be removed completely (it will re grow). If it is broken, the broken part of the nail will be trimmed off. A bandage, pain relief medications and antibiotics to stop infections are also often required.
A dewclaw injury is not the same as accidentally trimming a toenail too short, and bleeding will typically not be resolved with an over-the-counter styptic powder. "While it is not a medical emergency, owners should see their veterinarian for treatment as soon as possible," says Dr. Arce.
If your dog has injured its dew claws, it is best to take it to the vet. If it is torn but still connected to the leg, then the vet will probably cut it off completely. If it is broken, the broken part of the nail will be trimmed off.
Vet costs average between $50–$80 for the exam and supplies, perhaps an additional $20 for the full nail trim, $20–$60 for medication, and up to $100 for sedation. So you're looking at around $200–$300 total in costs to fix your dog's broken nail at the vet (better than the injury leading to infection!).
Treatment. If you have bacterial paronychia, soaking your nail in warm water 2 or 3 times a day helps reduce swelling and pain. Your provider may prescribe oral antibiotics. In severe cases, your provider may cut and drain the sore with a sharp instrument.
Vets usually charge a puppy exam fee and a dewclaw removal fee for each puppy. Depending on the practice, this cost is around $30–$40 per puppy and up. People sometimes ask, “Can you remove dewclaws on an older dog?” Dewclaw removal done at a later age is a surgical procedure requiring general anesthesia.
Signs that your pet may have a nail or nailbed infection could include redness, swelling, or discharge from the skin surrounding the nail, or discoloration or deformation of the claw itself. Your dog may also lick her paw or exhibit signs of pain or lameness on the affected paw or paws.
Soaking the paw in a diluted chlorhexidine solution or Epsom salts can help draw out pus and reduce inflammation. Your veterinarian may also recommend an e-collar to prevent your dog from licking the infection site, and you'll need to keep the affected foot clean and dry during the healing process.
After a dog's dewclaws are removed, the healing and recovery process usually takes up to two weeks. If done at a few days old, the wound should heal in three days, with no sutures needing removal. If removed by a veterinarian and sutured closed, the vet will remove the sutures between 10 to 14 days after the procedure.
Because front dewclaws serve several important purposes, they should not be removed unless there is a very good reason to do so. In rare cases, a dog's dewclaw may be severely injured or develop a disease (such as a cancerous tumor) and removal under those circumstances would be in the dog's best interests.
Pour lukewarm water over the nail to rinse any debris and blood off the nail. Use styptic powder or baking soda and pressure to control the bleeding if any. If the nail is split or hanging loose but still connected, it may need to be trimmed.
Dewclaw removal in puppies is relatively simple because the bones have not fully developed and the dewclaw can be easily snipped off by a veterinarian. "Although this is painful and unnecessary for the puppy, it is fast and heals quickly.
Some dog owners request the removal of dewclaws on their older puppies and/or adult dogs. Veterinarians will usually provide this service for puppies at the time they are spayed or neutered. In adult dogs it can be performed at any time.
3-5 days of age is the ideal time for a dewclaw removal procedure because the nervous system of the puppy is not yet fully developed, although the procedure is still possible with older puppies and dogs as well.
Terbinafine and itraconazole are the 2 medicines most commonly prescribed for fungal nail infections. These usually need to be taken once or twice a day for several months to ensure the infection has completely cleared up. If you stop taking the medication too early, the infection may return.
Infectious. The feet and paws are often red (inflamed) and swollen. There may be nodules (bumps) or fungal lesions (kerions), ulcers, or discharge (pus) from the lesions. There is often hair loss and the dog may lick the feet constantly.
It's best to call the vet right away if you suspect a paw infection. The treatment will depend on the reason, which can be anything from a fungus to a parasite. Common ways to treat an infection include medication, soaking the paw in warm water, ointment, and bandaging the foot to prevent the issue from getting worse.
The best thing to do here is to use styptic powder ( or even flour) to stem the bleeding as soon as possible. Make sure you cover the entire nail with powder and gently apply pressure with a clean, lint-free cloth until the bleeding stops. This reduces blood loss but may also help to calm your dog.
If the bleeding is heavy, it is most important to place a bandage on the paw to control the bleeding. You can then transport your pet to the veterinarian for evaluation.
Dogs will lick their dewclaw if it irritates them. Irritation can be caused by being too long and catching on things, being split, or due to infection within the nailbed due to allergies or repetitive licking. If your dog has caused an injury to their dewclaw, their natural reaction is to lick the wound.