A fungal infection in a dog's toenail, called onychomycosis, happens when fungi like yeast or ringworm invade the nail bed, making nails thick, brittle, discolored (yellow/brown), flaky, or prone to cracking and falling off, often due to trauma, allergies, or moisture, causing pain and sometimes a strong odor or discharge.
Topical treatments, such as medicated ointments or antifungal solutions, are often recommended for treating dog nail infections. These treatments are applied directly to the affected area, allowing the medication to penetrate the nail bed and surrounding tissue.
A dog nail infection occurs when bacteria or yeast enter the nail bed via a crack, causing swelling, redness, pus and pain. Treatment involves antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, pain meds and sometimes partial removal to aid healing.
What Does an Infected Dog Nail Look Like? Take a closer look at your dog's paws to identify the nail infection symptoms. You'll notice a swollen nail bed and pus oozing out of it. Also, you'll notice discoloration in the affected claw; for example, the broken white claw will turn black and vice versa.
It begins as a white or yellow-brown spot under the tip of your fingernail or toenail. As the fungal infection goes deeper, the nail may discolor, thicken and crumble at the edge. Nail fungus can affect several nails. If your condition is mild and not bothering you, you may not need treatment.
If toenail fungus goes untreated, it worsens, causing the nail to thicken, discolor (yellow/brown), become brittle, crumble, and potentially separate from the nail bed, leading to pain, odor, and difficulty walking; it can spread to other nails/skin (athlete's foot) and, in rare cases, lead to serious bacterial infections like cellulitis, especially for those with diabetes or weakened immunity, potentially causing permanent nail damage or systemic issues.
Fungal nail infection: What else might it be?
Itraconazole is an oral medication useful in treating pets with histoplasmosis, blastomycosis, and a variety of other fungal infections.
Terbinafine should be considered as first line treatment for dermatophyte fungi (the ones that cause athlete's foot). It is taken daily for 6 weeks for fingernail infections and for 12-16 weeks for toenail infections.
From a top view, it is virtually impossible to see the quick. However, it can help to look at the bottom of your dog's black nails; there may be a groove on the underside that separates the hard nail from the soft cuticle. You will want to avoid trimming into the soft cuticle because it contains your dog's nail quick.
Signs of a fungal infection in dogs
Onychomycosis refers to a fungal nail infection. Generally, multiple nails are affected. Onychomycosis is characterized by yellow to brown discoloration of the affected nails and surrounding skin. In some cases, thick discharge may collect at the base of the nails.
Diets aimed at supporting a dog's skin or immune system may help to lessen the incidence of yeast infections by removing or disguising ingredients to which the dog is allergic and by improving the barrier function of the skin.
Antifungal shampoos and medicated wipes help reduce yeast overgrowth on the paws. These products contain ingredients like chlorhexidine, ketoconazole, or miconazole to combat fungal infections.
If you want to treat toenail fungus (also called onychomycosis) at home, here's what you can do for a toenail fungal infection:
Wound Care
Applying a poultice made from Epsom salt and water to the affected area can help draw out the infection and reduce inflammation. Likewise, treating your pet to an Epsom salt paw bath can help cleanse the paw pad and alleviate irritation from minor injuries or even contact allergies.
What permanently kills foot fungus? Persistent use of antifungal treatments, topical or prescription and consistent hygiene can eliminate foot fungus. Severe cases may require podiatric care or laser treatment.
Healthy nails are smooth and even, whereas fungal-infected nails tend to be brittle, crumbly, and ragged. If you observe your nail's texture improving, becoming smoother, and less brittle, it is a clear sign that the fungus is dying. This improvement indicates that your nail is starting to heal and regenerate.
While Sudocrem is not suitable for fungal infections, it can help soothe the skin after a fungal infection has been treated, aiding in the healing process. Its antiseptic properties can also prevent secondary bacterial infections in broken skin.
Transmission is by inhalation of spores or contamination of wounds. Immunosuppressed humans and animals are at increased risk for developing cryptococcosis. In dogs, the disease often spreads throughout the body, with central nervous system or eye involvement.
At-home treatments can include the following: Medicated baths. As long as there aren't any secondary infections, an antifungal medicated shampoo can help to get the yeast infection under control. Wash your dog every 3-5 days for 2-12 weeks (or as long as directed by your veterinarian) for maximum effect.
Clotrimazole. Many vets use this as a broad-spectrum anti-fungal for a range of canine maladies. Miconazole. This can successfully treat both fungal and yeast infections on your dog's skin.
People with toenail fungus are at a higher risk of developing other fungal infections—including those that affect the heart. Toenail fungus can sneak up on you—especially if you're immunocompromised or have preexisting health conditions.
Sweaty feet? Change your socks regularly. Wear appropriate fitting shoes to minimise trauma to the nail. Fungus dies in temperatures over 60 degrees — warm washing cycles for socks are the way to go!
Fungal nail infections usually start at the edge of the nail. The infection often spreads to all of the nail, making it thicker and turning it white or yellow. The nail may become brittle and crumbly. The whole nail can sometimes lift off, causing the skin around it to become swollen and painful.