Introduction
Split nails are a common issue for dogs and can occur for a variety of reasons. While they may look dramatic with part of the nail split or broken off, most split nails are not serious if treated quickly and properly. However, leaving split nails unattended can lead to pain, infection and other complications. This article provides an overview of split dog nails, the potential causes, diagnosis, treatment options and prevention.
Causes of Split Nails
There are several potential causes for split dog nails, including:
Traumatic Injuries
One of the most common causes of split nails in dogs is trauma or injury to the nail. This can happen if the nail gets caught on carpet, cracks on sidewalks, or other rough surfaces. Longer nails are more prone to getting caught and splitting. Regular nail trims can help prevent trauma by keeping nails short (Source).
Yeast Infections
A yeast infection in the nail bed, known as onychomycosis, can cause nails to become brittle and prone to splitting. Yeast thrives in warm, moist environments. Treatment involves antifungal medication prescribed by a vet (Source).
Nail Disorders
Certain nail diseases like symmetrical onychomadesis can cause increased nail brittleness and splitting. This occurs when the nail falls off due to impaired nail growth. Hypothyroidism has also been linked with brittle, splitting nails in dogs. Consulting a vet can help diagnose and treat any underlying disorder (Source).
Traumatic Injuries
One of the most common causes of a split nail in dogs is traumatic injury, such as getting the nail caught in carpeting, cracked pavement, or torn fabric (source). This can happen when nails are too long and get snagged while playing or running. The nail can crack vertically or horizontally if enough force is applied.
Crushing injuries are another cause of split nails in dogs. If a heavy object lands on the paw or nail, it can crack or shear the nail. Similarly, if a door slams on the nail or paw, the acute impact can split the nail. Car accidents or other severe traumas that impact the paw can also sheer or crack nails.
In some cases, dogs can tear their own nails while scratching vigorously at floors, carpets, furniture, or their crates in an effort to dig or escape. Frantic clawing with enough force can cause nails to crack or split down the middle.
Regardless of the cause, traumatic splitting of the nail can be very painful and result in bleeding. It’s important to provide prompt first aid while assessing whether professional veterinary treatment is required (source). Preventing overgrown nails through regular trimming can help reduce risk of splits and breaks.
Yeast Infections
Yeast infections of the nail, also known as onychomycosis, can cause nails to become brittle and prone to splitting. The yeast overgrowth compromises the integrity of the nail bed. According to WebMD, moist environments like swimming pools or lakes provide optimal conditions for yeast and fungi to thrive (1). As the infection worsens over time, the weakened nail is more likely to crack or split. Breeds with hair between their paw pads, like poodles and shih tzus, tend to be more prone to yeast infections. The hair traps moisture and allows the yeast to flourish. Keeping your dog’s paws trimmed and dry can help prevent these types of infections.
Signs of a yeast infection include brittle, discolored nails with crusty debris under the nail. Some dogs may lick or chew at their paws if the infection becomes uncomfortable or painful. Yeast infections require medical treatment from a veterinarian. Antifungal medications, medicated baths, and keeping the nails short can help clear up the infection. Preventing recurring infections involves keeping your dog’s paws clean and dry.
Nail Disorders
Certain nail disorders like nail bed dysplasia and onychodystrophy can cause a dog’s nails to become brittle and prone to splitting. Nail dysplasia is an abnormal development of the nail bed that leads to weak, brittle nails that crack easily. Onychodystrophy causes the nail to become thickened, distorted, and unevenly worn. These disorders are often breed-related and hereditary, commonly seen in breeds like Labrador Retrievers, German Shepherds, and Great Danes.
Treatment for nail disorders involves trimming and filing the nails frequently to keep them short and smooth any cracks or rough edges. Veterinarians may also recommend supplements like biotin, methionine, and fatty acids to strengthen the nails. In severe cases, surgical removal of abnormal nails may be required. Keeping your dog’s nails short and properly trimmed can help minimize splitting and breaking associated with these nail conditions.
Breed Predisposition
Certain breeds are more prone to split nails than others, especially larger breeds with larger nails. According to Whole Dog Journal, breeds that are prone to split nails include:
- Labrador Retrievers
- Golden Retrievers
- Great Danes
- Rottweilers
- Doberman Pinschers
Larger breeds tend to have thicker, stronger nails that don’t wear down as easily. This causes the nails to grow longer and more likely to split or crack. Keeping the nails trimmed regularly can help prevent splits in prone breeds.
Diagnosis
To determine the cause of a split nail in dogs, a veterinarian will perform a thorough physical exam and ask about the dog’s medical history. They will look closely at all of the dog’s nails and surrounding tissue for signs of trauma, infection, or abnormalities. Some diagnostic tests they may use include:
Veterinary Examination – The vet will check for discharge, redness, swelling or sensitivity around the nail that could indicate infection or trauma. They will examine nail shape and thickness for signs of nail disorders. The presence of multiple cracked or brittle nails could point to a systemic issue.
Fungal Culture – Scrapings from the nail can be taken and cultured to check for fungal infections like yeast or ringworm that could be causing brittle, cracked nails. This helps identify the exact type of infection.
Biopsy – In some cases, a small piece of the nail or surrounding tissue may be taken for biopsy. Examining it under a microscope can reveal abnormalities associated with disorders like lupus.
With an accurate diagnosis from these veterinary tests, an effective treatment plan can be created to properly treat the cause of the split nail and prevent it from happening again.
Treatment
The treatment for a split nail will depend on the underlying cause. According to the American Kennel Club, the most important first step is to stop any bleeding and bandage the nail to protect it.
If the split nail is due to a traumatic injury, the damaged part of the nail may need to be trimmed off using nail clippers to remove any sharp edges, taking care not to cut the quick. Any debris should be gently cleaned from the wound and antibiotics may be prescribed. Surgery is only required in severe cases where the nail is partially or completely torn off.
For yeast infections, antifungal medications will likely be prescribed to treat the underlying infection. Keeping the paws dry and cleaning between the toes is also recommended.
Underlying nail disorders like symmetrical lupoid onychodystrophy may require medications like corticosteroids to reduce inflammation and immunosuppressants. Surgery to permanently remove the nail may be an option for chronic split or damaged nails.
Regular nail trims, preventing trauma, and treating predisposing conditions can help prevent recurrence of split nails. Padding booties may also be used to protect vulnerable nails.
Prevention
The best way to prevent your dog’s nails from splitting is to keep them properly trimmed. Nails that are allowed to grow too long can become brittle and prone to cracking and splitting, especially as the dog catches them on carpets, furniture, and other surfaces (Source). Ask your veterinarian to show you the proper technique for trimming your dog’s nails. Cutting the nails regularly, such as every 2-3 weeks, prevents them from becoming overly long and reduces the risk of trauma and splits.
You should also avoid trauma to the nails as much as possible. Discourage your dog from scratching at rough surfaces that could cause breaks and splits in the nails. Use scratch pads and appropriate scratching posts to protect the nails. Keep the nails smooth by using a nail file to gently smooth any rough edges.
When to See a Vet
If your dog’s nail remains split or the splitting continues to worsen despite home treatment, take them to the vet. Signs that indicate a vet visit is necessary include:
Infection – Look for redness, swelling, discharge, foul odor, and excessive licking around the nail. Infection requires prescription medication to treat.
Persistent splitting – If the nail continues to split down past the quick or won’t heal despite your efforts, see the vet to determine if an underlying condition is causing weakness in the nail.
Lameness or limping – If your dog seems to be in pain or is limping consistently due to the split nail, they need a vet exam. The vet can trim the nail, medicate for pain/infection, and check for injury to the nail bed or toe.
According to PetMD, signs like persistent bleeding, visible bone, loss of a large portion of nail, and inability to bear weight indicate an emergency vet visit is needed. Don’t delay care when your dog is in severe pain. With prompt treatment from the vet, most split nails will heal without complication. Call your vet when in doubt about the severity of your dog’s split nail.
