Introduction
A broken nail at the base can be a scary and painful injury for dogs. It usually happens when the nail gets caught on something and rips off from the nail bed. This can cause bleeding and expose sensitive tissue and nerves. It’s important to act quickly in these situations, as broken nails at the base have the potential to be quite serious if not treated properly.
Time is of the essence when dealing with this type of injury. The exposed nail bed is prone to infection and needs to be cleaned and protected as soon as possible. The bleeding also needs to be controlled quickly, as dogs have a decent blood supply to their nails and can lose a dangerous amount of blood through a broken nail. Don’t panic, but make sure to respond promptly and take the proper steps to care for your dog’s broken nail.
Assess Severity
If your dog’s nail breaks at the base, the first step is to assess the severity of the injury. Look closely at the broken nail and surrounding area for any bleeding. Blood squirting or steadily flowing out indicates a heavily damaged nail bed. However, just some oozing blood or a few drops is more likely for a partial break.
Also note if the nail is partially or fully detached. If it is dangling by a small piece of skin or has come off completely, the nail bed is likely exposed. The more the nail is separated from the paw, the higher the chance of serious injury to the toe.
Take note of these signs as they will determine the next steps in caring for the broken nail. Quick action is required if there is heavy bleeding or the nail is completely detached.
Stop the Bleeding
If your dog’s nail is broken and bleeding, it’s important to stop the bleeding as soon as possible. Here are some tips for stopping the bleeding from a broken nail:
First, apply pressure to the nail with a clean towel or bandage. Applying pressure will help the blood clot and slow or stop the bleeding. Hold continuous pressure on the nail for 5-10 minutes. You can even try elevating your dog’s paw above their heart level to use gravity to reduce blood flow.
Next, you may want to apply a styptic powder or gel to the nail. Styptic products contain chemicals that help constrict blood vessels and promote clotting. They are available at most pet stores and pharmacies. Just sprinkle or apply a small amount directly onto the nail according to package directions. This source recommends Kwik Stop Styptic Powder as an effective over-the-counter styptic powder for pets.
Applying pressure and using a styptic product can help stop minor nail bleeding fairly quickly. If the bleeding persists for more than 10-15 minutes, you may need your vet’s assistance to fully stop the bleeding.
Clean the Area
It’s important to properly clean the broken nail area to avoid infection. Use a saline solution or a mild, non-stinging antiseptic like chlorhexidine to gently wash the wounded area. Avoid using hydrogen peroxide, which can damage healthy tissue and delay healing.
Be very gentle when cleaning the nail bed, you don’t want to cause any additional bleeding or trauma. Pour the cleaning solution over the area rather than using a cotton swab or gauze, as fibers can get caught in the wound. Allow the area to fully air dry after cleaning before bandaging.
According to veterinary experts, chlorhexidine is an ideal antiseptic for cleaning broken nails as it is inexpensive, highly effective, and readily available over the counter. A 2% chlorhexidine solution is often recommended for cleaning wounds on dogs (Source).
Bandage the Paw
If the dog’s nail is broken at the base it is important to properly bandage the paw to protect it and apply pressure to stop any bleeding. According to the VCA Animal Hospitals, you should “wrap the foot in gauze or a towel and apply pressure to the injured toe” to help control any bleeding from the broken nail.
When bandaging the paw, wrap cotton gauze around the entire paw including the toes and up below the wrist. Make sure not to wrap too tightly, as you don’t want to cut off circulation. According to WikiHow, you should go up about 2-3 inches above the paw when bandaging to provide coverage and stability, but be careful not to make it too tight. The gauze and light pressure can help absorb any blood and protect the broken nail while it heals.
Pain Management
If your dog is in significant pain from the broken nail, you may want to give them some over-the-counter pain medicine like acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Check with your vet on the proper dosage for your dog’s weight. These human pain relievers can be toxic to dogs when given in large doses, so be sure to follow your vet’s dosage instructions carefully. You should also use an Elizabethan collar to prevent your dog from licking and biting at the injured paw, which could damage it further or remove the bandage.
According to the American Kennel Club, “For mild to moderate pain, an appropriate dose of acetaminophen (Tylenol) every 12 hours might be recommended”https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/first-aid-for-broken-nails-in-dogs. Ibuprofen can also help relieve pain, but should be used very cautiously in dogs. Check with your vet before administering any human pain medications.
The Elizabethan collar prevents licking and chewing which could disturb the injury. Make sure the collar is properly fitted so your dog cannot reach the injured paw.
Monitor the Dog
It’s important to closely monitor your dog after a nail break to watch for signs of infection or other issues. Check the bandaged paw several times a day. Look for increased swelling, redness, discharge, or a foul odor, which can indicate infection (PetMD, 2023). Also check that the bandage isn’t too tight – you should be able to slip two fingers between the bandage and your dog’s leg. If it’s too tight, it can cut off circulation.
Your dog may be hesitant to walk on the injured paw at first. But check for persistent limping, chewing at the bandage, or other signs of pain over the next several days. Pain that gets worse could mean an infection is developing. Contact your vet if you notice any of these warning signs (BetterPet, 2023).
When to See the Vet
In certain situations, you should take your dog to the vet as soon as possible after a nail breaks at the base. According to VCA Animal Hospitals, you should seek immediate veterinary care if the nail is completely detached from the toe. Attempting to reattach a fully torn nail at home is extremely difficult and usually unsuccessful. Your vet can properly assess the damage and determine the best course of treatment, which may involve partial nail removal or antibiotics.
You should also take your dog to the vet right away if the broken nail results in excessive bleeding that you cannot control with pressure. Significant blood loss can lead to other health issues. The vet can cauterize the nail bed to stop bleeding. Ongoing heavy bleeding likely indicates a severely damaged nail bed.
Finally, be on the lookout for signs of a nail bed infection, which include redness, swelling, discharge, and a foul odor around the nail. According to MedVet, infections typically develop within 12-24 hours. Take your dog to the vet promptly if you notice infection setting in, to get appropriate treatment with antibiotics.
Treatment Options
Treatment will depend on how severe the broken nail is and whether it can be repaired or needs to be removed.
For less severe breaks, the vet may trim and smooth the nail, disinfect it, and apply medication to promote healing. Antibiotics may be prescribed if there are signs of infection. The dog will need to take it easy on that paw during recovery and avoid chewing at the bandages. Follow-up appointments to check healing are often needed.
For more severe breaks where the nail is partially or fully detached, the vet may recommend complete removal of the nail. This is done under anesthesia and the nail bed is cauterized to stop bleeding. Antibiotics and pain medication are given. The dog will need an Elizabethan collar to prevent chewing, and bandage changes until healed. Stitches may be required. The nail will regrow over several months. Follow-up visits monitor healing.
Keeping the dog calm and preventing licking or chewing is key during recovery for any broken nail injury and treatment. Close monitoring allows prompt care if complications arise. With proper treatment, most dogs recover well from a broken nail, though it can take some time for full regrowth.
Prevention Tips
There are a few things you can do to help prevent your dog’s nails from breaking:
- Trim nails regularly – Keeping your dog’s nails trimmed to an appropriate length will help avoid breaks. Long nails are more prone to getting caught on surfaces and breaking. Aim to trim them at least every 2-3 weeks.
- Use scratching posts – Providing scratching posts made of sisal, cardboard, or logs allows your dog to naturally wear down their nails. Place posts around your home and reward your dog for using them.
- Keep nails short – Work with your groomer or vet to keep nails trimmed to a short, blunt tip. This will reduce the risk of painful breaks occurring close to the quick.
By staying on top of your dog’s nail care, you can help prevent painful broken nail injuries from occurring in the first place.