Cutting a nail too short is colloquially called “quicking” because we call the nail bed, where the nerves and blood vessels live, the “quick”. So when you quick a dog, you damage the nerves and vessels and it hurts (a lot) and bleeds (a really lot).
The easiest and most effective way to stop dog nail bleeding is with styptic powder or a styptic pencil, which can be purchased at most major pet stores and pharmacies. Be cautioned, however, that styptic powder will provide an initial sting, so be prepared to hold onto the dog firmly while applying.
If you apply styptic powder or a styptic pencil to your dog nail, bleeding from a cut quick should stop within two minutes. Corn starch or flour on a Q-tip should also do the trick in a pinch. You may need to see the vet if the blood does not stop within 15 to 20 minutes.
It might take awhile for your pup to get comfortable having his nails trimmed again if you've cut into their quick, but they will forgive you. Be sure to give him lots of treats and praise every time you get out the nail clippers; that will help make the experience more positive.
One of the most popular methods of controlling bleeding after cutting into the quick is using styptic powder. The powder contains an ingredient called ferric subsulfate which is an antihemorrhagic agent. This will contract the blood vessels—clotting the blood flow and stopping the bleeding within a couple minutes.
Your dog's nail quick can be exposed due to a trimming issue or lack of nutrition. Nail quicks may also become overgrown, making nail trims stressful. If a dog nail quick is exposed, clean and wrap it to prevent infection. If the bleeding does not stop, visit your vet immediately.
The good news is that when you clip your dog's toenail too short, you can stop the bleeding in three easy steps. The bad news is that hitting the quick is painful for your dog, nerve-wracking for you, and a bloody mess.
You can usually walk your dog within an hour after cutting the quick. Provided it was only a small cut, and you stopped the bleeding, there is no reason not to walk your dog.
If your dog has a broken nail, they will most likely need to be examined by a veterinarian at some point. If there's no bleeding and it seems like a minor break, schedule a visit to your local veterinarian in the next couple of days for a closer look.
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.
Sometimes, you will see a lot of bleeding. Some pet parents actually worry that there is a broken bone, especially when they see the nail sticking out from the foot. Although it's not a life-threatening emergency, you should take your dog to see a vet as soon as possible.
Limping can be a sign of nailbed damage, muscle or tendon issues, or even arthritis.
Using a saline solution or water and a mild soap, clean the injury. Try not to use a cotton swab or gauze as fibers may embed into the nail. Pour your saline solution over the nail to clean. Keep doing this until blood, dirt, and debris are all rinsed off.
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.
Most broken nails will heal by themselves over 1-2 weeks.
Cornstarch. Plain cornstarch or cornstarch mixed with baking soda also work. Place a bit of the cornstarch in your hand and dip your dog's nail in it. Apply pressure for several seconds—up to 2 minutes—then check if the bleeding has stopped.
Applying a layer of Vaseline works too, as well as the waxy foot products such as Mushers Secret. If your dog snags a nail on the ice or snow outside and it is bleeding, you can apply a bit of styptic (clotting) powder if you have any, or in a pinch, a bit of cornstarch can help slow the bleeding.
The blood vessel inside the nail can quickly become exposed when broken. This not only causes pain for the dog but can also lead to infection. In addition, broken nails can get caught on things, which can tear the nail bed and lead to even more pain.
Dogs and cats are known for licking themselves quite often, so what happens if they lick the styptic powder while it's on? Most likely, they'll be just fine. Ingesting just a small amount of styptic powder won't hurt your pet at all.
In most cases, your dog will heal just fine without any medical intervention. However, if the wound does not seem to be healing properly, you should take your dog to the vet.
It can take about 2 to 4 minutes for a dog's nail to stop bleeding, so you may need to hold a cloth there for that long. If it doesn't stop bleeding, take your dog to the 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.