What to Do When Your Dog Breaks Their Nail
Just like humans, dogs have nails that grow consistently. Unlike humans, dogs need to have their nails trimmed regularly or else they risk intense pain. Unfortunately, nail breaks are still super common. The best you can do as a pet parent is learn how to deal with them.
How Do They Happen?
Pet nails can break for any number of reasons. Since they’re in constant contact with the surface they’re walking on, it’s not impossible for Fido’s nails to get caught on something and snap. They might even crack their nails while doing fun, safe activities like digging or jumping down from the couch. No matter which way it happens, nail breaks are super painful and can lead to other problems like infections or bone disease. Scary, right? Before we explain to you how to deal with a nail break, you have to understand what goes on in your dog’s paw.
Dog Nails Have Anatomy?
Yes, they do! Dog nails are made up of 3 parts: the shell, the quick, and the bone. The shell is the outermost layer, and it is usually clear. The shell protects a collection of nerves and blood vessels called the quick, which is arguably the most important part of your buddy’s nail. When your dog’s nail breaks, it will often leave the quick exposed. Since the quick is made up blood vessels, it is super sensitive and can act as a direct line for infections, like osteomyelitis, to reach the rest of the body.
How Do We Handle a Nail Break?
First, you must examine the area. Keep in mind that your dog is in a lot of pain, so be patient. If your buddy is acting way more aggressively than normal because he’s hurt, take him to your vet. Your vet is more likely than you to know how to handle a situation like this, so placing him in their hands will ensure he doesn’t get more injured. If your pet isn’t struggling with you, then find the injury and assess the bleeding.
If the nail is bleeding, but not too heavily, then you can handle it by yourself. Start off by disinfecting the area with warm saline solution. Whether its homemade or store bought, the goal is to get the wound clean and the bleeding to stop. If the bleeding doesn’t stop after about 10 minutes, take him to the vet. Again, your vet will have the skills and resources to stop the bleeding. If there is a small part of the nail hanging off then you can try removing it as long as your dog gives you permission.
If you manage to catch a crack before the break, take your dog to the vet. It’s best to prevent a worse issue before it even gets a chance to become an issue, and your vet can provide more adequate care to help it heal.
Overall…
The best way to protect your pup and avoid any potentially dangerous situations is to keep up with his nail care. Invest in a pair of good nail clippers; Boshel has a good set with a nail guard to keep you from cutting into the quick yourself. If cutting his nails makes you nervous, or you’re just new to the game in general, then we have some great tips for trimming your dog’s nails. As always, don’t be afraid to consult your veterinarian. They’re the best source of information for good pet care practices.