A broken toenail is a common problem among pets, most especially for dogs. It may happen anytime and you might see your dog yelping and licking its paws in one corner; and as you approach, you might notice traces of blood which would make you panic. Panicking, however is not a good reaction and may only add to your feeling of anxiety over your dogs life. In fact, a broken toenail would most likely have a good prognosis and little or no life-threatening complications, at all.
A broken toenail may be an alarming accident since it would make the dog bleed a lot since nail beds are rich in capillaries where blood passes. Most often than not, a person who sees his pet with a bleeding toenail would be startled and might be in panic. Calling the vet may depend on the severity of the case, when bleeding has been controlled, consulting a vet may be optional but when bleeding persists, it is best to bring your pet to your trusted vet.
Cut off broken nails. The first thing to do is to cut away the broken part of the nail which still remains on the toes. Not only will this remaining nail make your pet yelp for pain, it would add to the bleeding when it punctures the wound even more. A toenail clipper is the usual way of cutting off these remaining nails.
Clean and wash the wound site. Since a broken toenail always have a matching wound on the paws, it is necessary to keep the paws clean and free from any contaminating materials or bodies. Presence of any debris may lead to infection of the site which can further complicate the condition of your valued pet.
Clotting the wound. Cleaning the wound doesnt end after washing the wound with flowing water, applying bondage and pressure to the injured area can prevent further bleeding and infection to the site. Furthermore, an antibiotic can be bought over the counter which can be applied to the inflicted area. This way, not only can you prevent infection, you can also promote healing of the wound.
Securing the bondage. The bondage should be kept in place all the time and an accidental pulling off of the bondage puts the wound at risk for infection since the dog may roam around and might make contact with contaminants. The bondage may be secured using a surgical tape. Experts also state that applying coagulants such as flour, powder or cornstarch should be applied before putting on the bondage. These things promotes blood clotting and prevents infection.
Monitoring your pet for undesirable signs and symptoms
Regular monitoring of the dog is a must most especially with the presence of wounds like this. Usually, if the wound doesnt clot immediately and if bleeding still persists over the next few hours, it clearly indicates that the dog needs a veterinary. Simple wounds heal easily which is why taking note of bleeding; most especially the appearance of the wound site is a must-do.
An infected site might show up as a red and swollen area which may be warm to touch and may be painful when applied with pressure. Also, notice your pets activity. If you noticed that your pet suddenly lost appetite or walks sleazily without exerting much effort with the wounded foot, it is necessary to have it checked-up.
Your dog is a value to be treasured and surely, no one would want to see their dogs limping with pain and unable to brisk freely.