Noah Sinclair
A broken nail is a common injury in dogs and can be incredibly painful. Nails can break when they get snagged on carpet, upholstery fibres, grass roots, or even during walks in the park. If the nail is split to the base or there is excessive bleeding, it is best to take your dog to the vet for treatment. However, if the bleeding is minimal, you can treat the injury at home. First, safely restrain your dog and control the bleeding by wrapping its foot in gauze or a towel. If the bleeding does not stop within 10 minutes, apply a styptic pencil or powder to the nail. Once the bleeding has stopped, gently clean the nail with warm water and remove the damaged part of the nail with nail clippers. Apply an antibiotic ointment to the nail and bandage it to keep the wound clean and prevent infection. Remember to change the bandage daily.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| When to treat at home | When there is no sign of infection, and the dog is not in pain or bleeding excessively |
| Restraining the dog | Use a muzzle or a recovery cone to prevent the dog from licking or chewing at the nail |
| Stopping the bleeding | Apply pressure with a gauze pad, use styptic powder, a styptic pencil, or cauterizing powder |
| Removing the nail | Use sterile pet nail clippers, tweezers, or fingers to remove the nail. Be cautious to reduce damage. |
| Cleaning the nail | Wash the paw with warm water or a chlorhexidine-based disinfectant solution, dry it, and apply antibiotic ointment |
| Bandaging the nail | Use a non-stick pad, soft cotton cast padding, or gauze to cover the nail, and wrap with self-adhesive fabric |
| When to go to the vet | If the nail is split to the base, there is excessive bleeding, or there is tenderness or pain when touching the nail |
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What You'll Learn
Restrain your dog and stop the bleeding
Restraining your dog is important when treating a broken nail, as even the friendliest dogs can snap when they're in pain. To restrain your dog, have someone hold your dog in a secure hug while you examine the injured paw. You can also try distracting your dog with a treat-stuffed KONG toy or a long-lasting chew. If your dog is particularly aggressive or you are alone, you may need to use a muzzle to avoid injury.
Once your dog is restrained, you can begin to stop the bleeding. First, gently wrap the foot in gauze or a towel, being careful not to wrap it too tightly as this can result in swelling. Apply pressure to the injured toe for 5-10 minutes. If the bleeding does not stop, apply a styptic pencil, silver nitrate stick, or cauterizing powder to the nail. These items can be purchased at a pet store or pharmacy. If you do not have access to these products, try covering the nail with baking powder, flour, or cornstarch, or stick the tip of the nail into a bar of soap.
If the bleeding continues, take your dog to a veterinarian or an emergency room. If there is a loose piece of nail that may cause further damage, gently remove it with sharp trimmers. Once the bleeding has stopped, gently clean the nail with warm water and apply a clean gauze bandage to your dog's foot.
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Clean the nail and apply ointment
If your dog has a broken nail, it is important to act quickly to prevent infection and minimise pain. Once you have safely restrained your dog and stemmed any bleeding, you can clean the nail and apply ointment.
First, gently clean the affected toe and nail with a chlorhexidine-based disinfectant solution, such as Dermachlor (chlorhexidine gluconate 0.2%). You can also use a saline solution, or dish soap and warm water. Be sure to rinse the paw and dry it thoroughly.
Next, apply an antibiotic ointment to the nail and then bandage it to reduce the risk of infection. You can use a non-stick pad (also known as a non-adhesive pad or Telfa pad) over the end of the affected toe. Wrap soft cotton cast padding or rolled gauze around the paw and over the non-stick pad to hold it in place.
It is important to change the bandage daily to keep the wound clean and prevent infection. Even if the bandage seems clean, replace it. You should also monitor the nail in the days afterwards and look out for any signs of infection.
If you are unsure about treating the broken nail yourself, you may want to take your dog to a professional groomer or veterinarian.
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Remove the damaged nail
If your dog has a broken nail, the first thing to do is to safely restrain them. Even the nicest dogs may bite when in pain. If the nail is split to the base or there is excessive bleeding, take your dog to the vet for treatment. If the bleeding is minor, you can treat the break at home.
First, control the bleeding by wrapping the foot in gauze or a towel and applying pressure to the injured toe. If the bleeding does not stop within 5-10 minutes, apply a styptic pencil, silver nitrate stick, or cauterizing powder to the nail. You can also use flour or cornstarch. If there is a loose piece of nail that may cause further damage, gently remove it with sharp trimmers.
If the nail is almost completely torn off, you may be able to remove the damaged nail with a quick pull using tweezers or your fingers. If it is loose but still attached, trim off the damaged part using nail trimmers. Be cautious while doing this to reduce the amount of damage you cause.
Once the damaged nail has been removed, gently clean the nail with warm water and apply a clean gauze bandage to your dog's foot.
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Bandage the paw
Bandaging a dog's paw is a delicate task. It is easy to make the bandage too tight and cut off blood flow to the foot. It is critical to ensure that the wrap is not too tight. To test this, you should be able to fit at least a finger or two inside the top of the bandage. If you can’t, the bandage may be too tight.
To bandage the paw, you can use gauze, bandage material, and bandaging tape. Carefully wrap the paw with gauze or bandage material and secure the end of the bandage with tape. You will want to make the bandage snug enough to provide protection to the paw and nail without falling off.
Before bandaging, you should apply antibacterial ointment to the affected toe. Using any over-the-counter ointment, apply a small amount to the broken nail to prevent any infection. Then, take a non-absorbent pad and carefully wrap the affected toe with it. Sticking the pad between the toes and around it can help stabilize the pad.
Finally, change the bandage every 24 hours. This is important because moisture under the bandage or a dirty bandage could increase the chances of infection.
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Monitor for infection
After treating your dog's broken nail, it is important to monitor the injured paw for several days to prevent infection. The quick, or center blood vessel, is attached to the bone, so any damage to the quick can lead to a severe bone infection if germs enter the exposed tissue.
Signs of infection include redness, swelling, and discomfort. Your dog may frequently lick their paw to soothe the irritation. If the nail was only partially torn off, the remaining portion may irritate the quick and cause bleeding every time your dog puts pressure on the paw.
If you notice any signs of infection, it is crucial to seek veterinary care promptly. Your veterinarian may prescribe oral or injectable antibiotics and pain medication to treat the infection and keep your dog comfortable during the healing process.
To prevent infection, keep the injured paw clean and dry. You may need to use an E-collar or dog cone to prevent your dog from licking or chewing the affected area, as this can worsen the injury and increase the risk of infection.
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