A dog’s exposed nail quick can be painful and harmful, and it can happen due to various factors that are mostly preventable or treatable. So, what to do when your dog’s nail quick is exposed?
Learning proper and careful techniques for trimming your dog’s nails is crucial to avoid this issue. Sometimes, an exposed quick may be due to a lack of nutrition or an issue with the trimming process.
If you face this issue with your dog, inspect the wound and dab it with warm water to ease the pain. Then, apply the bandage and observe the nail bed for a few days to see any signs of an infection.
Before you read an answer to this guide, “What to Do When Your Dog’s Nail Quick Is Exposed,” check out: Dog Nail Bleeds After Walking – What Should I Do? (2023) and Dog Nails Are Too Long – Surgery Options for Overgrown Nails (2023).
What Is a Quick?
The quick is a vein that runs from the base of your dog’s nail to the end and supplies blood to the nail. It also includes a nerve.
Exposing the quick outside the nail‘s protection can harm your pet. By quickly understanding the potential causes of an exposed nail, you can take steps to prevent this issue and appropriately care for your dog.
Common Causes of a Nail Quick Exposure
Cracking or breaking of a dog’s nail can occur for various reasons, and when the quick is exposed, it usually indicates another underlying issue. Some potential causes of this problem include a need for proper nutrition, accidents during nail trimming, or an overgrown quick.
A nutritional deficiency can make a dog’s nail more susceptible to breaking or cracking.
Therefore, ensuring that your pet receives a balanced diet is essential. If your dog has a listless or dull coat, it may be a sign of a nutritional deficiency, and you should consult your veterinarian.
Clipping a dog’s nails too close to the quick can easily lead to exposing it, especially if your pet has tiny nails. This issue can be even more challenging to identify in dogs with cloudy or black nails.
Therefore, it is essential to learn proper nail-trimming techniques or seek the help of a professional groomer to prevent this problem.
When you don’t trim your dog’s nails frequently enough, the quick may advance to the tip of the nail, making it challenging to trim safely. However, there are steps you can take to remedy this issue, such as following a guide on cutting an overgrown quick so it recedes.
Fortunately, preventing an exposed nail quick in dogs is relatively easy with proper planning and maintenance. In addition, taking care of your dog’s nails regularly and ensuring a balanced diet can help prevent nail-related issues.
How to Prevent It?
Preventing an exposed nail quick in dogs requires identifying the possible causes and taking appropriate measures to eliminate them. Here are some simple steps that you can take to prevent this problem from occurring:
Ensure Your Dog Gets Proper Nutrition
Ensure your dog is getting the proper nutrition by checking the ingredient labels on their food. If you need clarification on any ingredient, consult an expert or research it online.
Practice Proper Nail-Trimming Techniques
Keep your dog calm and relaxed during nail–cutting sessions to minimize the risk of accidents. Allow your dog to sniff the clippers and use positive reinforcement, such as treats and praise, to make the experience positive for your pup.
Trim Your Dog’s Nails Regularly
The frequency of nail cutting depends on various factors such as breed, age, and lifestyle. Generally, aim to cut your dog’s nails once a month. If you hear your dog’s nails clicking on floors, it’s probably time for a trim.
Regular nail trimming prevents the overgrowth of quicks, which can be painful and cause nail tearing. It also helps your dog get accustomed to the experience and feel more comfortable.
Preventing an exposed nail quick in dogs is a straightforward process that involves maintaining a healthy diet, practicing proper nail trimming techniques, and trimming nails regularly. By taking these simple steps, you can ensure your dog’s nails remain healthy and pain-free.
Dealing with a Dog’s Broken Nail
In the case of a bleeding toenail, it’s important to compress the wound for at least two minutes with a clean towel. However, remember that bleeding usually occurs when the quick is exposed. You can stop the bleeding with compression.
It’s crucial to muzzle your dog or have someone hold their head away during the inspection as the area might be very painful for them, and they might bite you as a reflex. You can use a dog muzzle or have someone hold their head down.
Carefully inspect the area, trying to touch it as little as possible. Raise the paw gently and check for any split in the nail down past the quick. If you notice such a split, it’s best to take your dog to the vet to have the nail removed.
If the nail is dangling, you can remove it, but be careful not to cut too close to the quick. To stop the bleeding, you can apply styptic powder, flour, or cornstarch to the wound. In case the bleeding doesn’t stop, visit your vet.
Dab the wound quickly in warm water or sterilize it with a pet antiseptic. Next, apply a bandage to the damage and monitor it closely for the next few days. It’s also essential not to compress the paw or squeeze the toe, only apply pressure to the wound.
Following these steps can help your dog recover from a painful broken, cracked, or exposed nail.
Frequently Asked Questions
A dog’s broken nail may heal on its own, but it depends on the severity of the break. If the crack is minor and only affects the tip of the nail, the dog’s body may be able to repair the damage over time.
However, if the break is more severe and involves the quick (the sensitive part of the nail that contains blood vessels and nerves), the nail may not heal independently and may require veterinary treatment.
If the broken nail is causing pain or bleeding, it’s essential to seek veterinary care immediately to prevent infection and relieve pain. The fractured nail may need to be trimmed or removed for proper healing. Additionally, your veterinarian may prescribe antibiotics or pain medication to manage any infection or discomfort.
It is generally not recommended to let your dog lick their broken nail. Licking the area can introduce bacteria to the wound and increase the risk of infection. Saliva can also slow healing and cause further irritation and inflammation.
If your dog licks the broken nail, it may indicate discomfort or pain. It would help if you discouraged the behavior and provided other forms of distraction, such as toys or treats. However, if the licking persists, you may want to consult with your veterinarian to rule out any underlying medical conditions or to obtain additional guidance on managing your dog’s behavior.
Sometimes, your veterinarian may recommend using an Elizabethan collar to prevent your dog from licking or biting the affected area. That can help to promote healing and prevent further injury or infection.
The healing time for a dog exposed quick depends on the severity of the injury. If the quick is only slightly exposed, it may heal within a few days to a week with proper care. However, if the injury is more severe and the quick is significantly exposed or damaged, the wound may take several weeks to heal.
Keeping the affected area clean and dry during healing is essential to prevent infection. Your veterinarian may recommend applying a topical antibiotic ointment or bandaging the wound to protect it from further injury. Additionally, it’s vital to prevent your dog from licking or biting the affected area, as this can slow down the healing process and increase the risk of infection.
Stop bleeding
If the nail bed is bleeding, apply pressure with a clean cloth or gauze until the bleeding stops.
Clean the wound
Once the bleeding has stopped, gently clean the area around the exposed nail bed with a mild antiseptic or saline solution to help prevent infection.
Protect the nail bed
Apply a non-stick bandage or a sterile dressing to the exposed nail bed. That will protect the wound from further injury and help to keep it clean.
Administer pain relief
If the dog is in pain, you can administer pain relief medication as directed by your veterinarian.
Seek veterinary care
It is essential to seek veterinary care as soon as possible if your dog has an exposed nail bed. Your veterinarian may need to trim or remove the damaged nail and prescribe antibiotics to prevent infection. In severe cases, surgery will be best to repair the nail bed.
Prevent further injury
Once the nail bed gets the treatment, it is crucial to prevent your dog from licking or biting the affected area. You can use an Elizabethan collar to prevent your dog from accessing the wound.
Yes, a nail bed can grow back in dogs, but the regrowth’s extent depends on the injury’s severity. For example, if you remove the nail bed, the regrowth will likely be incomplete and may not fully restore the nail. However, the regrowth may be better if only a portion of the nail bed has been damaged or removed.
The regrowth process can take several weeks to several months, depending on the dog’s age, overall health, and the extent of the injury. Keeping the affected area clean and protected is crucial to prevent infection and further damage. In addition, your veterinarian may recommend a topical antibiotic ointment or bandaging the wound to promote healing.
In some cases, surgical intervention is the best way to repair the damaged nail bed and promote regrowth. Your veterinarian can assess the extent of the injury and recommend appropriate treatment to promote healing and prevent complications.
Conclusion for “What to Do When Your Dog’s Nail Quick Is Exposed”
An exposed nail bed in a dog can be a painful and potentially serious injury that requires prompt treatment to promote healing and prevent infection.
The nail bed can regrow with proper care and veterinary intervention, but the regrowth’s extent depends on the injury’s severity. Therefore, preventing further damage and protecting your dog’s nails are essential to promote their health and well-being.
If you find this guide, “What To Do When Your Dog’s Nail Quick Is Exposed,” helpful, check out:
- Does It Hurt When You Cut The Quick? (2023)
- Do Labs Have Webbed Feet? (2023)
- Dog Licks Pus From Wounds: Why & What to Do! (2023)
Learn more by watching “What To Do If You Cut the Nail Quick of Your Dog” down below:
Garrett loves animals and is a huge advocate for all Doodle dog breeds. He owns his own Goldendoodle named Kona. In addition, he volunteers at the Humane Society of Silicon Valley, where he fosters dogs and helps animals. Garrett enjoys writing about Doodles and believes that dogs can teach humans more about how to live than humans can teach a dog.
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