broken nail / quick

[Caravan Monster 323]

This toe has been knackered for years now, so I have just kept the nail trimmed up to the quick and she has been able to run fine on it. Recently, the dog has started to occasionaly chew at the nail in question, damaging the quick a little. Not blood squirting everywhere type damage, it is just a little raw and heals over in a day or so.

 

What I wanted to know is can the raw quick pick up infection?

 

I check and clean her feet with water after we' ve been out. (although I haven' t done a very good job of it in the photo)

 

Any advice appreciated.

 

[BlueCoyote 0]

my opinion, and what i would do, is give her a rest until it heals completely. they can pick up NASTY infections!! some so bad that the dog may some day lose that toe, or even its entire leg. you're dealing with possible nerve damage too if she is chewing at it. if you can manage it.... keep her off it and keep an eye on it until its better.

 

with cats, a simple declawing procedure can cause deadly and/or lifelong problems in their feet.... a torn nail is not nearly as clean as a vet removing the claw so she is wide open for the risk.. dont take chances!

 

 

From: http://209.85.207.104/search?q=cache:hxRvU...lient=firefox-a

 

 

TOENAILS

Overgrown or overly short toenails can cause limping. This is particularly a problem in older, less active pets. These nails often break off exposing the quick of the nail. These nails quickly become infected. In other cases, overgrown toenails twist the joints of the toes causing toe arthritis, and painful toe joints. These nails need to be clipped off short under a mild anaesthetic. Antibiotics are rarely required. Very active dogs and dogs housed on concrete often wear their toenails down to the quick. With time, the quick on these nails recede and pain subsides.

Since nails can grow at the rate of 2mm per week, nails which are not worn down can eventually penetrate the underside of the toe. If excessively long, nails can be traumatized by everyday use. There are also a number of infections and diseases associated with the special fold of skin around the base of the claw. Nails should be clipped using specialist nail care products on a regular basis.

Edited February 8, 2008 by BlueCoyote

[Caravan Monster 323]

Thanks Blue! Didn' t realise that infection was such a danger here. The problem in this case is that the toe is broken, so the nail is not connected to the bone. As a result, the nail does not grow well - it is deformed and weak.

 

When I consulted a greyhound vet about this toe, some years ago, he advised that this nail be removed (there was also a strange growth under the nail which also required removing). Strangely, the surgeon who did the work, removed the growth, but decided to leave the nail, for reasons that were not clear.

 

The question I should have asked is 'can I apply anything to stop irritation to the quick?' so that the dog doesn' t chew on it.

[skycat 6,174]

If the dog is continually chewing at the claw I'd get it checked out again and preferably removed completely: it sounds as though there is an ongoing irritation maybe due to low grade infection that just aint healing.

[BlueCoyote 0]

i agree with the above. the vet that did the surgery should have just done as he was told and taken it all off.. i know they dont like to amputate if there is hope for saving the limb(or toe as the case might be) but honestly i think it should have just come off. especially if the nail isnt even connected to the toe anymore!

think of it as dead weight... even if it has virtually no weight at all.. its still a useless scrap flapping in the breeze and can still become injured and create a source for infection.... er... like tonsils i suppose.. no real purpose to them and no real threat either until they become infected for what ever reason. then they MUST come out!

 

the only way to keep the toe and lose the chewing and irritations in the nail is to probably retire the dog so she isnt causing problems by running on it.. but thats not very practical if she is your working dog.

you might try putting specially designed boots on her foot. that would cut down on the toe coming into contact with crud and hard abrasive surfaces... and MAYBE she wont lose it in the field lol but it wont change a thing if the toe is beyond broken.

[blackdug 90]

had same problem a couple of weeks back ,of to the vets to get robbed again i did ,they put her on anti biotics and i caged her up for 5 days with some wound powder on for good luck,, worked a treat ,,

[Caravan Monster 323]

Bandaged up and off to the vet tomorrow. Hope that anaesthetics/ operations will not be required, nor too much plundering of my wallet. Thanks all for advice