My dog's toe might be broken. What can a vet do that I can't?

Poor Rock! If he is acting fairly normal otherwise (eating and drinking, active, not excessively painful) you can monitor him at home for the next few days to see if the problem resolves. I would recommend restricting his exercise as much as possible to give the affected paw a chance to heal - short leash walks to potty only, no running or jumping. If the paw looks red and seems sore, you can also try soaking it in warm water and Epsom salts to help with the soreness and irritation. If you are not seeing any improvement in the next 2-3 days, or if he is non-weightbearing on the affected paw or seems very painful, then I would recommend taking him to the vet for an exam. He/she can take x-rays if needed to help determine the problem, and can also prescribe safe and effective pain medication to make him more comfortable.

Depending on the severity of any fracture, Cheap may require anything from a soft padded bandage to a splint or surgery for serious injury. It is difficult to determine the appropriate treatment by just an image. Ideally, Cheap should be physically examined by a veterinarian and the paw should be x-rayed. Pain medication may also be indicated and OTC human pain meds are not recommended as they can be toxic. Discuss payment plans or alternative financing options, such as CareCredit ( www.carecredit.com ), with the vet. Friends and family as well as local charities may also provide assistance. Left untreated, a fracture may heal improperly causing chronic pain and lameness.

The toe could be broken or dislocated, or it might be a soft tissue injury. The fact that he is limping means that he does have some level of pain even if he's not crying. I would recommend having your vet examine the toe - they might feel confident that it is a soft tissue injury once they are able to feel the toe and the joint or they might recommend an x-ray. They can also prescribe safe pain medication for him.

By your description, your dog may have a partially [broken nail](https://www.petcoach.co/dog/condition/broken-nails/) which can be a bit painful. You can take him to your veterinary office and ask them to cut the nail back to promote normal growth, or you can monitor the toe and see if the nail grows out naturally. Just watch for any signs of infection (redness, swelling, discharge) in the toe. Do not allow your dog to lick or chew at it. An e-collar (cone) can be placed on him until he has healed.

Only your veterinarian can assess whether it can be reduced manually (popped back in) at all and if so can attempt it. There is no information on the internet about this because this is not to be done by a person who does not have the necessary veterinary medical expertise and knowledge of the exact anatomy of the foot. I suggest you take your dog to your vet for an exam and reduction of the toe, in case that is possible.

If it's not bleeding it may not have injured the quick but I can't tell from the photo. The broken part of the nail needs to be removed and of the break is behind the quick, Loki needs to be sedated and clip behind the break (which is painful so they get sedated). Since you are unable to tell how severe the break is, I recommend to have Loki examined first thing tomorrow morning. Here is a helpful link: https://www.petcoach.co/article/bleeding-torn-toe-nails-in-dogs-puppies/ Tonight have Loki wear an elizabethan collar so he does not lick at it. Restrict the activity today and do not allow him to climb up and down on the couch. He should only be outside on a leash. Tomorrow the vet will access how significant the break is and will remove the broken part of the nail. I hope this helps.

It sounds like he broke his dewclaw - most of the time the nail will need to be removed so it won't cause chronic irritation or infection. If you're unable to pull it off at home because he is too painful or because it is still attached you will need to see your veterinarian. Sometimes sedation is required if the nail is not completely broken and the nail is clipped very close to the base. If Otis seems comfortable and the nail is not bleeding this is not necessarily an emergency - you could wait until your vet is open and make an appointment. You should keep him from licking the area until then and he may need to wear an e-collar.