How to care for a torn toe on your dog, and how to treat broken toes in dogs.
There is blood on your dog's paw and he is limping and licking it.A torn toe is what you see when you take a closer look.Dogs with torn or broken nails are not usually life threatening.They are very painful.
In an attempt to remove the attached material, your dog might pull away, tearing the nail in the process.You might not even notice until you see your dog limp or cry.If left unaddressed, a torn nail can bleed intermittently and become an issue for your dog.
If your dog will allow it, some torn nails can be treated at home, but veterinary care can reduce the risk of infections and provide an easy way to remove the torn nail.It is usually sufficient to remove the nail at the level of tear.The easiest way to do this is with nail trimmers.A temporary bandage may be applied to stop bleeding after the broken part is removed.An antibiotic may be prescribed to prevent infections.
If you try to treat your dog at home, remember that a torn nail is painful and you should take care to avoid getting bit.The following steps are important.
Regular trimming of your dog's nails is the best preventative care.Most of the time, overgrown nails are affected.