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My dog's quicked nail bled, and now her paw is swollen. What to do?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Medium (23 - 60lb) | Female | spayed | 4 years and 7 months old | 45 lbs

Clipped one of my dogs nails too short and it bled for several minutes. After going in the snow it started bleeding again & we find two blood spots where she was licking it, and it bled more. We put cornstarch on the nail. To stop her licking, put on a sock and a hairtie to secure it. I was able to get 2-3 fingers under without it being tight. This morning it was tight. I took the sock off & her paw was swollen. She walks on it funny, but isn’t acting in pain or messing with it. What do I do?

4 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Megan, DVM, CVA

Veterinarian

Published on February 12th, 2019

The swelling will likely go down with some time. You can also massage it to get the blood moving better. I would put a cone collar on her to prevent her from licking if she is still messing with it. If the swelling isn't improving in a few hours, I would have your vet take a look at her to ensure there isn't an infection causing the swelling. I hope this helps!

2Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Anna M., DVM
Veterinarian
Published on July 15th, 2017
Broken nails are quite painful. The bleeding tells me the quick is involved, which is the blood supply as well as nerve supply, so he may not let you touch it. Ideally the broken part should be removed but this often requires sedation by a vet. I recommend soaking his paw in an epsom salt tub for 5-10 minutes 2-3 times daily to clean it, draw out discharge, and help soften any part of the nail that is compromised. Watch for swelling or discharge that would indicate infection (and would require a vet visit). Unfortunately there is no human drug that is safe to give him for pain & inflammation but a vet could provide you with something. Again, these are painful especially if the quick is exposed so he will be tender until the broken part has come off and the exposed quick has hardened. Hope this helps.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Destini R. Holloway, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on November 30th, 2016
Poor girl. If I understand correctly her nails are not cut and potentially one of the nails is imbedded in the paw, causing it to be swollen. If this is the case, then you will have to carefully cut the nail that is embedded with pet nail trimmers from your local pet store. Do a quick search on youtube for instructions on how to properly trim a pets nails to make sure you don't cut them too short, causing pain and further bleeding. Also pick up some Kwik-Stop Styptic powder to use on the nail if it starts to bleed. Then soak the paw in a warm Epsom Salt bath to help reduce some of the pain and inflammation. Soak the paw daily thereafter, as needed, until the swelling has been resolved. If there is any sign of infection however then Cookie will most likely need antibiotics from a vet to get things to resolve completely, because there aren't many antibacterial options for her over the counter if an abscess has formed on the toe.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Dr. Leigh, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on May 29th, 2017
She could have an infection or possibly a mass. You could soak her paw in a warm Epsom salt solution and see if that helps. Otherwise, she needs to be seen by a vet to determine the cause and treat. She may need an antibiotic and pain medications to treat.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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