Clipping a Dog's Broken Toenail

Dogs’ toenails will often break on their own, learn what to do when your dog has a broken toenail, in this free pet health care video with tips from a veterinarian.

It’s not uncommon for a dog to break a toenail. It most often occurs when you trim his nails with clippers, but accidents can cause the toenail to break as well. Since the toenail is likely to bleed a lot, you need to take action right away.

• Stop the bleeding. A dog’s nail is going to bleed a lot when it’s broken. Simply holding a bandage over it usually won’t make it stop. Instead, use a coagulant to pack the wound. Substances that can be used include flour, powder, cornstarch or a styptic powder.
• Get an over the counter antibiotic cream to place over the broken nail. A generous amount should be applied in order to prevent infection and promote healing.
• Put a bandage over the area. You can secure the bandage using vet or surgical tape. The area should not be wrapped too tightly and cut off circulation.
• Cover the bandage with a sock. The sock is used to protect the area and keep the dog from trying to get at the wound. Since the sock is not likely to stay in place on its own, you may have to use more vet tape.
• Keep a close eye on the dog for the next few days. If the nail does not seem to heal or the dog starts limping, you should make an appointment with the vet.
• In order to prevent future broken nails, you should learn about how to properly cut a dog’s nails. A vet can let you know how to do it, or you can read a dog care handbook.
• If your dog is in pain from the broken toenail, you’ll need to have someone hold him or use a muzzle during treatment.

video by ExpertVillage . Tips by eHow.com