This is because they are more loosely attached than regular nails, putting them more at risk. If that doesn’t work, you can substitute the bandages with a sock. % of people told us that this article helped them. Another method is to place a clean sock on the paw and tape it into place. Continue to monitor the nail in the days afterwards. Hi, I have just returned ... but as an owner I would decide on how much discomfort the dog is in and decide whether to bandage or not. The first thing you'll need to do is treat the injury. I find that this helps but none the less, my dog seems to always get a broken nail at this time of year. Do not compress the paw or squeeze the toe. If the broken part of the nail is still attached, carefully remove the broken piece using a sterile pet nail clipper. The treatment will depend on how severe the injury is and if your dog is suffering from complications like infection. or you dogs nail clippers. Apply an over-the-counter antibiotic cream or gel, such as Neosporin to prevent infection and soothe the wound. At some point your dog will probably tear, crack or break a nail. Crate your dog to keep him or her immobile until the wound heals, and carry him or her outside for toileting. If you are comfortable doing so, examine your dog’s paw if the dog exhibits any of the above symptoms. Either it will spit, leaving an open nail and exposed quick, or it could snap at an angle. How to Cover a Wound on a Dog When bandaging your dog's wound, thoroughly clean the affected area. demonstrates how to apply a proper foot bandage. It’s a painful injury. When this happens, you may see blood coming from the paw. How can your dog’s broken toes be treated? It contains a cauterizing agent that seals the wound. Preventing complications with bandages requires appropriate decision-making and technique and communications on our part, as well as appropriate owner participation at home. The healing time may range from a few days to a week, depending on the severity of the injury. If the pain seems to be too much for your pet bring them to the veterinarian where they can provide numbing agents to help lessen the pain. wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. Of course, dogs will try to chew the bandage off, so an Elizabethan collar is also necessary. Application of topical ointments is usually enough to treat nail problems in dogs. Spray a pet antiseptic on the toe — this will disinfect the area and relieve any discomfort from the open wound. “Therefore, this is best done under sedation, unless the crack is at the tip of a very long nail.”. If the nail is broken but still attached firmly it is best to consult a veterinarian so no unnecessary pain is caused in treatment. A broken nail can be very painful and cause your dog to limp. You might use a bulb syringe filled with water to help gently spray out any material stuck to the toenail. + Click to see the sources for this article. (This should only be done if it is not below the quick. My dog already had her first dew claw nail break for this season, Summer 2011. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/f\/fa\/Trim-a-Dog%27s-Nails-Step-5-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Trim-a-Dog%27s-Nails-Step-5-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/f\/fa\/Trim-a-Dog%27s-Nails-Step-5-Version-3.jpg\/aid11982837-v4-728px-Trim-a-Dog%27s-Nails-Step-5-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"