If a dog nail quick is exposed, clean and wrap it to prevent infection. If the bleeding does not stop, visit your vet immediately.
Generally, dogs start feeling better within 48 hours. Total recovery takes some time, as the nail needs to re-grow so as to completely cover the vulnerable quick. Generally, this takes two weeks, according to Dr. Fiona.
That is, the open blood vessels will clot and close quite quickly. However, the nail that is no longer covering the exposed quick can take up to 10 days to regrow and protect the nerves and capillaries that nourish it. A nail that is completely ripped off will take a minimum of two months to regrow.
"A broken dewclaw requires medical attention because the exposed quick—the bundle of nerves and blood vessels within the nail—is painful and can become infected." The broken nail typically needs to be cleaned and cut down above the break, which should be performed with sedation and pain medication, he says.
Most broken nails will heal by themselves over 1-2 weeks. However this causes unacceptable discomfort in the meantime. The loose nail is still partly attached to the injured nailbed, and even the slightest movement creates intense pain.
Keep the nail bed dry, clean, and covered with petroleum jelly and an adhesive bandage until the nail bed is firm or the nail has grown back. Apply a new adhesive bandage whenever the bandage gets wet. Watch for signs of infection such as increasing heat, redness, pain, tenderness, swelling, or pus.
Treatment of a broken or fractured nail
The most important thing to do straight away is to stop your dog from licking its foot or nail. Dogs and cats have bacteria in their mouth, which can cause an infection if they lick a broken nail.
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.
You also may be able to see the exposed quick. The quick is a fleshy protrusion from the end of the toe, and it may vary from pink to black in color. If you accidentally touch the quick of the toenail, your dog will likely react with pain. (Be careful – the pain may be severe enough to cause your dog to bite!)
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!).
If your dog's quick is cut, keep the walk after light and easy. It's unwise to take a dog with an exposed quick on a 5-mile run, as their nails will scrape against the asphalt and damage the nail bed further. A walk around the block is fine.
In most cases, after a dog's nails are trimmed the quick will start to recede after about 7 days. Depending on how long your dog's nails and quicks are, it might take a few months before you can get their nail to the desired length.
Warm tap water is recommended for cleaning most wounds. Warm saline (salt solution) may also be used. This may be made by adding approximately one level teaspoonful (5 mL) of salt (or Epsom salts) to two cups (500 mL) of water.
Treatment of Bacterial Claw Infection in Dogs
Most treatments will include topical or oral antibiotic ointments and paw soaks. Paw soaks might include chlorhexidine or Epsom salts to draw any pus and reduce inflammation while promoting healing.
The first warning sign of infections to look for is dog nails that are red, swollen, and/or warm to the touch. ? Bacterial infections are usually a secondary symptom of an underlying issue. So, any previous trauma to the infected paw should be taken into consideration.
The quick is living tissue while the keratin is not. That is why trimming the tip of the nail is not painful for your pet but exposing the quick is uncomfortable. The quick is also attached to the bone, so any damage to the quick can lead to an infection in the bone, which is very serious.
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.
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.
What should I do if my dog breaks their dew claw? If they have trouble walking or running make sure that they don't put weight on it for a while, until it begins to heal, but also look out for some dog pain relief. It will be more painful that a human broken nail, as dog's nails are tougher.
Since it's a painful injury, your dog may yelp out in protest, start limping, and constantly lick its paw. If your dog has a broken nail, the first thing you need to do is stop them from licking the affected area.
If your pup's nail is cracked and not bleeding, it won't require a lot of treatment. You just need to keep the claw clean until it starts healing and give your dog some pain relief. However, you can consult your vet about minimizing the chances of infection in your dog's paw.
At the center of every dog nail is a bundle of nerves and blood vessels called a quick. Cutting this quick, or even applying pressure to the area around it, can cause your dog immense pain. Some breeds, such as Shiba Inus, pugs, shepherds, labs, and bully breeds, seem to have exceptionally sensitive quicks.