Be sure to have someone help restrain your dog safely while you gently try to remove the nearly broken off nail with a quick pull motion. If you do happen to find a nail that is very loose and dangling, then you can attempt to remove it at home. If the bleeding continues despite these measures, then I suggest going to the ER. If you do not have styptic powder at home, sometimes a little baking soda can do the trick. If bleeding continues despite applied pressure, you can apply styptic powder (such as Kwik Stop) and resume applying pressure for another 5 minutes or so.
It's important to keep your dog calm during this time, as excitement increases blood pressure and works against a good clot forming. The key is to hold pressure for at least 5 to 10 minutes with no “peeking to see” if the bleeding has stopped before this time is up. These are the easiest types of injuries to treat at home because you generally only need to apply pressure with a gauze or clean cloth to the nail to stop the bleeding. When the nail is fully broken off and there's some mild bleeding, it's a best case scenario (if the bleeding continues, though, that may be worrisome). The dog’s nail is cracked or broken but remains firmly attached The dog’s nail is cracked or broken but is loosely attached The dog’s nail has been completely broken off and is bleeding If it's a nail injury, determine which type it is. When doing so, be sure to look closely at the nail bed, as I have seen cracks and injuries in the nail that were actually hidden underneath the fur line, where the base of the nail goes into the toe.
Assess the Injuryįirst, get a good look at the paw - including in between the toes and webbing - to see if the issue is a cut, foxtail, insect stinger (or other foreign object), or a broken nail.
So, what should you do if you suspect your dog has a nail injury? Read on to find out. That said, not all broken nails require a trip to the ER - you may be able to care for it at home or, at the very least, wait to see your regular vet in the morning. A cracked or broken nail that is bleeding and very painful for your dog should be treated by a veterinarian. Some nails have just a minor crack with some bleeding, while other injuries put a toenail at a 90-degree angle (ouch!). There are a variety of injuries that can occur to a dog’s nails. A broken toe nail can be a painful and potentially expensive injury for your dog, and it is something that I often see in the veterinary ER.
If your dog suddenly begins limping, take a look at their paw - they might have a cracked, broken, torn, or injured nail.
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