Need your expert advice

[jackaroo]

Need your expert advice - My dog needs help

Jack was to the vet 2 weeks ago. Had his nails clipped and one was clipped too close and bled. The vet stopped the bleeding and Jack came home but was acting very different. Didn't want to play as usual or jump into bed with me at night. Noticed he was licking his paw a lot. Didn't think anything of it until last Tuesday, I found blood on the bed where he was laying. Grabbed a washcloth and held it on his paw and blood was on it. Turned the paw over and saw blood coming from the nail that was clipped 2 weeks prior. Called vet and immediately took Jack there where they took no responsibility for the injury and said Jack had broken a nail all the way back. Told me I could nurse him myself or bring him back where they would sedate him and clip the nail back before the break and bandage him. Jack will be 11 and I was afraid for the latter treatment. I had been putting liquid bandage on it and watched closely then last night blood all over the carpet and Jack was indeed in pain. I bandaged the wound and then again this morning before I left for work.

Anyone have advice or suggestions of how to treat at home?

 

[Corky/Max]

No expert here--Found this on the net:
Q.: My dog ripped his toenail and it is bleeding -- help
A.: Many of you have been through this scenario at some point. You notice some blood, dog licking at a paw, limping, or yelping...then find that ghastly torn nail. Ouch. The bleeding is usually stopped by the time the dog is seen at the vet's office, but the nail must still be attended to.

Every dog is different -- you know your dog best, but remember that when injured, a dog will instinctively try to protect himself. This means that your dog may reflexively bite or snarl at you, not really "meaning" to. If there is any doubt, it is wise to use a muzzle.

First thing is to remove any of the broken part of nail that may still be attached. This broken end only causes the dog more pain and may increase or continue the bleeding every time the torn piece is disturbed. The quickest way to do this is with a dog toenail clipper. Sometimes the piece is barely hanging on and they can be pulled off (quickly) with your hand.

Secondly, the injured nail needs to be gently washed off. Warm water to remove any debris lodged between the nail and the toe or leg.

If there is active bleeding, apply gentle but firm pressure with a clean cloth to the area. A firm grasp around the entire foot works best if the dog will allow it.

Often this type of injury leaves a bloody "stump" of tissue that would normally be safe inside the toenail housing. This is very tender and sensitive. It is advisable to have your vet take a look at this type of injury. If a large amount of toenail has been removed, most vets will bandage the area and prescribe a short course of antibiotics as prophylaxis against infection. Another method is to use an antibiotic ointment (with frequent bandage changes) on the stump for lubrication and reduced friction and pain.

Hope that helps! I wouldn't like having my 11 yr. old cocker sedated either .

 

[Renee750il]

I've treated a split nail much like I've done one of my own when it broke off above the quick: superglued (gel) it together and held it until the glue set. It kept it from splitting any farther and I could gradually trim it off as it grew out.

 

[Corky/Max]

Hey Renee--that sounds like a good and simple/easy idea!

A word of caution though no matter what you do----Keep a very careful look out for any signs of infection---Then it may be 'double trouble!'

 

[Renee750il]

Painting a little betadine under there really helps avoid infections. If you use a paintbrush you can do it even after you've glued the nail. Keeping it clean is obviously a big deal.

 

[jackaroo]

Thanks everyone. Jack is scheduled for surgery on Friday. I wish I could have done something myself rather than put him through the trauma of sedation, etc. Then that "e" collar will send him through the roof. He has colitis because he is afraid of "everything". Now this on top of it, wish I could have avoided this.

 

[release the hounds]

surgery? really? To cut it back further? just let it heal, they grow back.

 

[Izzy's Valkyrie]

Well it's obviously not growing back properly RtH or it wouldn't be bleeding so often.

Jackaroo: my dad's chessie once shattered his nail on a rock pathway and it had to be removed entirely by the vet but he healed up wonderfully and even still has a nail there so hopefully your boy will do just as well! Vibes for a speedy recovery.

 

[cherylcmartin]

jackaroo

Let us know how surgery goes.

 

[release the hounds]

Well it's obviously not growing back properly RtH or it wouldn't be bleeding so often.

Jackaroo: my dad's chessie once shattered his nail on a rock pathway and it had to be removed entirely by the vet but he healed up wonderfully and even still has a nail there so hopefully your boy will do just as well! Vibes for a speedy recovery.

Really? i would never have guessed. my question is why isn't it growing back properly. I've never seen one bleed for more than a day or so after if it gets torn open by running on pavement or something. 2 weeks is a long time.

But if it's not growing back, what is cutting it back further and bandaging going to do? it's not a twig on a tree limb that will be stimulated to start growing again with a clean cut. The cut is already there, the body should be repairing it. unless it's not being given the right time to heal and the dog is re-injuring it, in which case surgery will not fix it. Or the dog injured it again in a different place and it hasn't had time to heal properly, again, I don't see surgery fixing that either.

basically it's anesthesia on a older and admittedly highly stressed dog, to cut something back and give it time, basically what's going on now, but without more stress, anesthesia and surgery.

 

[jackaroo]

Yes. I was concerned also Release. Jack will be 11 and this is going to be horrible for him but last night I took a closer look at the nail and it looks like a big chunk is gone from the back and the inside is protruding. I will look closer tonight with a magnifying glass just to be sure. I really don't think I have any other choice here but I am investigating all avenues. Thanks for your reply.

 

[Corky/Max]

I hope surgery isn't necessary also. You know more about what the vet has said but isn't there an alternative your vet can try? That anesthesia is best avoided if possible, esp in an older dog. My dog, Max is 11 now and I just hope I don't have to have his teeth cleaned again. Please keep us posted how your baby is doing or we will be worrying! Will be thinking about your Jack tomorrow and keeping my fingers crossed--hoping for the best news.