My dog's toe is red and hurt near the nail. How to prevent infection?

Poor Panda! I would expect to see some improvement in his toe within 48 hours after starting antibiotic treatment, and it is concerning that his infection is still bad. You can talk with the vet about giving it a few more days, but the concern is the infection can spread. Other options besides removing the toe include culturing the area to get the exact bacteria causing his infection and then using antibiotics that kill that bacteria in the hopes getting rid of the infection, or taking him into another vet today for a second opinion. You can speak to the vet about doing a culture on his infected toe, but it may be in the end that removing the toe is best. I'm sorry I can't give you an exact answer, but I hope this was helpful!

Aw, I bet that stings for sure! If the nails were pulled completely and cleanly, they aren't likely to become heavily infected. If there are remnants left behind, they rest needs to be dealt with by a veterinarian so they can grown back in properly. As for the chunk of tissue missing, this has a much higher likelihood for complications from infection. Since I can not see it, I can't say whether or not it needs to be assessed, closed, sutured, stapled etc. You may want to have someone take a look at it. If not, make sure to flush the area with some chlorhexidine solution, keep it clean as possible, make sure that Teddy can't lick the area (use an e-collar), and possibly apply topical antimicrobial ointment. Teddy would likely benefit from some pain medication and antibiotics, but a vet visit would definitely be required to obtain those. Hope this is helpful!

Ouch! I would keep the paw as clean and dry as possible, and keep Nike from licking at it by placing an Elizabethan (cone) collar on him. Limiting activity so he doesn't keep walking on it and introducing any more debris into the foot is also a good idea. Since it is such a big wound, seeing if you can get into the vet sooner is also a good idea so he can get started on pain meds or antibiotics as needed.

Ouch! Poor Roman. It's possible he may have an infection going on in the nail bed, or an abscess (infection under the skin) or other issue going on with the toe itself. If he won't let you touch it, bringing him into your vet is best. They can safely sedate him so that the foot can be completely examined, any infection cleared out or nails trimmed back/removed, and medication given to help with pain and infection. Until you can get to your vet, keeping him resting and preventing him from licking at the foot by placing an Elizabethan (cone) collar on him may help.

Poor Caeser! Gently clean it with warm water and antiseptic soap. To keep him from licking at it, you can put an Ecollar on him. You can get one at a pet store or make one at home. Keep the wound clean and dry, and monitor it for signs of infection. If you see redness, swelling, warmth to the touch, or pus, then it is infected and he will need to see the vet for antibiotics to treat it. Best of luck.

Poor Chia - yes she has pulled the hard part of her nail off and the photos show she must be painful as she is holding her foot off the ground. I expect she'll try to lick the area which can make things worse so try to prevent her doing this by putting a sock over her foot, using an e-collar or cone if you have one. For first aid you can apply/ clean the toe by soaking it in a bowl of warm water with a couple of teaspoons of salt in - which is antiseptic. You can cover her foot with a dog shoe or boot which are sold at pet stores. For pain I recommend taking her to see her vet tomorrow. Please do not give her any human pain medicines which can be toxic to dogs. The nail will grow back slowly but the red area will be sensitive and sore for a few days until it dries up.

The nail seems attached but the nail bed is infected. The pink tissue seems inflamed but I would not jump to surgery yet. You can keep the area clean with soap and water and apply neosporin. the most important part is to stop him from licking it by getting an e collar or putting a baby sock over it. He does need to see a vet for antibiotics to see if it can heal as an open wound with that. IF that is not successful then they will go towards the surgery route