What is a quick exposed nail?
The quick is the soft tissue inside a dog’s nail that contains the blood vessels and nerves (https://vhavets.com/blog/dog-nail-quick/). It’s located roughly above the nail curve. When trimming a dog’s nails, it’s important not to cut into the quick or it will bleed and likely be painful for the dog.
An exposed nail quick occurs when too much of the nail is trimmed off, exposing the sensitive quick. This can happen if the nails are cut too short. Certain factors make quick exposure more likely such as dark nails where the quick is harder to see, overgrown nails that have long quicks, wiggly dogs, and lack of experience trimming dog nails (https://www.fourpaws.com/pets-101/grooming-gateway/how-to-find-your-dogs-nail-quick).
Exposing the nail quick comes with risks of bleeding, pain, and infection for the dog. It’s important to stop the bleeding and properly care for an exposed nail quick to minimize complications.
Causes of quick exposure
There are a few main causes that can lead to quick exposure in dogs:
Overgrown nails – When a dog’s nails become too long, the quick grows out with the nail. This means there is increased quick tissue exposed at the tip of the nail, making it more likely to become damaged during normal activity.
Nail trauma/injury – Quick exposure can happen if a nail gets caught on something and rips off or tears. This may expose the quick suddenly and lead to bleeding.
Overzealous nail trimming – If the nails are cut back too far during trimming, it can cut into the quick. This is one of the most common causes of quicking during nail care. Going too short while trimming puts dogs at risk of quick exposure.
Keeping nails trimmed to an appropriate length can help avoid overgrowth and lessen the chances of quicking injuries. Gentle handling of paws and nails reduces risk as well. Knowing a dog’s nail anatomy helps identify where the quick is before trimming.
Signs of an exposed nail quick
The most common sign of an exposed nail quick is bleeding from the nail. When the quick is damaged or cut too short, it will often bleed readily. This bleeding may be mild or severe depending on how much of the quick is exposed.
According to Scent Hound, the color of the blood can provide clues as to the severity of the injury. Bright red blood indicates a fresh injury that likely just nicked the quick. Dark blood that appears almost black suggests an older injury that could be more serious.
Your dog may also show signs of lameness or pain if the quick is exposed, especially when you try to touch their paw. They may whimper, yelp, or pull their paw away when it is handled. This is because the quick contains many highly sensitive nerves.
In some cases, you may actually see the red flesh of the quick exposed through the nail. Toe Grips says this suggests the nail has separated from the quick or broken away completely.
Stop bleeding from an exposed quick
If the nail’s quick is exposed and bleeding, it’s important to stop the bleeding as soon as possible. There are several common home remedies that can help stop the bleeding:
Styptic powder – This is a powder made specifically for stopping bleeding from nails. It contains an ingredient like silver nitrate or ferric subsulfate that cauterizes the wound. Simply apply the powder directly to the nail tip using the applicator that comes with it. The bleeding should stop within minutes as the powder takes effect. Styptic powder can be purchased at pet stores or online. (https://toegrips.com/how-to-stop-a-dogs-nail-from-bleeding/)
Bar of soap – Pressing a bar of soap directly against the nail’s tip can help stop bleeding. The soap helps congeal the blood. Hold firm pressure with the bar of soap for 5-10 minutes until it stops bleeding.
Baking soda – Make a paste of baking soda and water and pack it onto the nail tip using a cotton ball or clean cloth. The baking soda will help clot the blood. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes with pressure.
Cornstarch – Similar to baking soda, make a paste with cornstarch and water and press it onto the nail tip. The cornstarch also promotes clotting to stop the bleeding. (https://www.scenthound.com/dogblog/what-to-do-when-your-dogs-nail-quick-is-exposed)
If bleeding persists beyond 10-15 minutes, seek veterinary care. The vet can use cauterizing agents or cauterize the nail to stop stubborn bleeding.
Pain management
Managing your dog’s pain is an important part of treating an exposed nail quick. The exposed nail bed is extremely sensitive and can be very painful for dogs. There are a few options for providing pain relief:
NSAIDs like carprofen or meloxicam are commonly used to control pain and inflammation for dogs. These medications work to block the production of prostaglandins which are chemicals that cause inflammation and pain sensations. Consult with your veterinarian on the appropriate NSAID medication and dosage for your dog based on their weight and health conditions.
For more severe pain, opioid medications may be prescribed, though these should be used cautiously and only as needed. Opioids like tramadol or buprenorphine can provide stronger pain relief but have greater risks like sedation or overdose if misused. Work closely with your vet to utilize opioid pain relievers appropriately if your dog is in substantial pain from the exposed nail bed.
In addition to medications, restricting activity, using a protective bootie, and providing soft bedding can help keep your dog comfortable while the nail quick heals. Monitor your dog’s pain levels and let your vet know if medications need to be adjusted to ensure adequate pain control.
Protecting the exposed nail
After stopping the bleeding, it’s important to protect the exposed nail to prevent infection or further injury while it heals. One way to protect the nail is by gently placing a soft sock or gauze bandage over your dog’s paw. Make sure it’s not too tight, as restricting blood flow can be harmful. According to VCA Animal Hospitals, your veterinarian may apply antibiotic ointment or powder to the exposed nail bed before bandaging the foot to prevent contamination and minimize further bleeding (1).
You may also consider having your dog wear an Elizabethan collar, which prevents them from chewing or licking the injured paw and further exposing the quick. The rigid plastic cone collar blocks your dog’s access to the paw while allowing them to eat, drink and see. Make sure the collar is properly fitted – snug but not too tight around their neck. Monitor your dog while they get accustomed to wearing the collar.
1. https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/first-aid-for-broken-nails-in-dogs
Re-trimming the Nails
After your dog’s nail quick has been exposed and healed, it’s important to be very cautious when trimming their nails again. Allow 1-2 weeks for some nail regrowth so you avoid cutting the quick again. When it’s time for a trim, have a helper restrain your dog and go very slowly, taking off small amounts of nail at a time. Only clip the sharp tip, nowhere near the pink quick.
You may feel more comfortable having your veterinarian perform the first re-trim, especially for dark nails where the quick is harder to see. Vets are experienced at cautious trims after quick injuries. For future trims, some options include a nail grinder tool that takes off just a little nail at a time, or using a bright flashlight to better see the quick on dark nails.
The most important thing is keeping your dog still and only taking off a tiny bit. Go slow and don’t rush the procedure even if your dog gets antsy. It takes 4-6 months for nails to fully regrow after injury, so patience and caution is key. With careful re-trimming, you can help prevent quick exposure from happening again. Check out this source for more tips.
Preventing future quick exposure
One of the best ways to prevent your dog’s quick from becoming overgrown and exposed is by trimming their nails regularly. The general recommendation is once every 2-4 weeks, depending on your dog’s breed, age, activity level, and rate of nail growth (see this guide from AKC for more specifics). More active dogs who wear their nails down naturally may need less frequent trims.
You can trim your dog’s nails by clipping or grinding them down. Clipping may be faster, especially for dogs with thick nails. But grinding with a nail grinder or dremel can reduce sharp edges and lessen the chances of cutting the quick. It also causes less stress for dogs who don’t like clippers. Pay attention to any signs of discomfort when grinding, like whining or pulling away (see tips from VHavets).
If your dog’s nails are severely overgrown, it’s best to have a veterinarian trim them to avoid pain and bleeding. They can sedate your dog and trim back the overgrown nail to expose the quick so you can maintain a healthier length. Let your vet know right away if your dog’s nails are causing them obvious discomfort.
When to see the vet
If your dog has uncontrolled bleeding from the exposed quick that cannot be stopped with simple first aid, it’s important to get them to the vet as soon as possible. Prolonged bleeding can lead to blood loss and other complications. Applying pressure with a towel or bandage may help temporarily slow bleeding, but a vet can use products like quick stop powder or silver nitrate to properly cauterize and close the wound.
Signs of infection in the nail bed such as redness, swelling, discharge or a foul odor indicate a veterinary visit is needed. The vet will thoroughly clean the wound, prescribe antibiotics, and may apply a medicated ointment to prevent infection from setting in. Leaving an infection untreated could allow it to spread into the paw, leg or bloodstream.
If your dog seems to be in persistent pain or is limping or reluctant to walk on the affected paw more than a couple days after the injury, there could be a fracture or other damage requiring veterinary attention. X-rays and medications may be needed to diagnose and treat any underlying issues causing lameness.
It’s always better to be safe than sorry when it comes to potential injuries or complications. Don’t hesitate to contact or see your vet if the quick exposure results in uncontrolled bleeding, signs of infection, or lasting lameness in your dog.
Long-term prognosis
The long-term prognosis for a dog with an exposed quick is usually excellent with proper care. According to Toegrips, most dogs heal well and the nail grows back normally over time. However, there is a risk of infection if the wound is not properly treated and cared for. An exposed nail bed is prone to bacteria and contamination.
It may take some time for the nail and quick to fully heal. The recovery process depends on factors like the size of the wound and how much of the quick was exposed. Smaller quick exposures may heal within a few weeks. More severe exposures make take 6-8 weeks or longer to completely heal as the nail regrows from the cuticle.
With diligent at-home care and follow-up vet visits as needed, the prognosis is very good. Being patient during the healing process and preventing further trauma to the nail is key. Most dogs bounce back to normal within 1-2 months.