My dog's split dewclaw is dirty. Should I worry about infection?

There is a rather deep wound near the joint, so my best recommendation is to have a vet examine him and help you with treatment. Without knowing the extent of the wound, it can be dangerous to treat this at home. The first thing you should do is flush the wound using a syringe or other dispensing device with clean water or sterile saline (better option) for five minutes. This may not be easy, so I recommend having someone help you with this. Below is a link to a demonstration of a wound flush that shows how to restrain him well. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aMpP4zpyrPs&t=102s Infection is the biggest concern with these wounds; so after flushing, it's best to apply an antibacterial cream to the wound. In order to keep the wound clean, it's best to flush the wound 1-2 times a day and gently wipe away any big crusts - make sure not to scrub the wound, because this can make it worse. Apply the antibacterial cream after each flushing. If the wounds starts to swell or have pus oozing from the wounds, then I'd recommend he go to the vet for treatment. Otherwise, the wound should heal over the next 2-3 weeks. I don't advise giving any more medication to Rebel unless prescribed by a vet. Certain medications like aspirin can be dangerous if given incorrectly. Below is a link to some information about aspirin. https://www.petcoach.co/canigive/dog/aspirin/ I hope that helps and Rebel gets better soon.

Yes, something like this can become easily infected. It does look a bit swollen and that can be one of the first signs of infection. I do think you should probably take her to the vet sooner if you can. In the meantime you can apply this wound spray to it a few times a day. ( https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/vetericyn-plus-wound-and-skin-care-for-dogs )

Ouch, poor Luna. Gently clean the area with warm water and antiseptic soap. To keep her from licking at it, you can put an Ecollar on her. You can get one at a pet store or make one at home. Keep the area 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 she will need to see the vet for antibiotics to treat it. Best of luck.

This rarely get infected if disinfected properly, but a check up would be ideal just to cut off the remaining part of the nail. Disinfection may be started at home with very diluted hibiscrub or betadine or salted water baths (at least twice daily for the next 3-4 days. Buster collar may be useful as well to avoid any licking. Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further. If this answer was helpful please let us know, this will be used to improve our service!

What a brave girl! Pads sometimes do get abrasions or blisters from running on rocky, hot, or uneven surfaces. It looks like they are doing ok right now, but you do need to keep an eye on them. Put an Collar (cone of shame) on her so that she cannot lick them, and If she becomes more bothered by them, if she's favoring them heavily ("walking on eggshells), or if she starts to seem lethargic or isn't eating, get her in. All of those could be signs of infection. In the meantime, clean them daily with dilute betadine (available at any pharmacy) -- use a small bowl (1-2 cups or so) of water, and add enough betadine so that it looks like tea. If she will tolerate keeping her foot in that for a minute or so, great. If not, just use a gauze pad or cotton ball to clean the wound off with the butadiene solution. Leave them UNBANDAGED at this time, so that you can monitor them closely, and so that moisture doesn't get trapped which could increase the likelihood of infection developing. While I do think they should not be bandaged, DO use booties if you are going to be going for a long walk, etc--ideally, though, avoid exercise on rough, rocky, uneven surfaces until its healed. Take the booties off when she comes inside. (something like this I hope thats helpful for you! Thanks for asking PetCoach!

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!

Poor Molly!! It sounds like she may have ripped it off somehow. Dogs don't need their dew claws; in fact, some breeders have them removed them from their puppies. If it is not bleeding, I recommend monitoring Molly's toe for now. You can gently clean it with warm warm and antibacterial soap. Keep it clean and dry, and keep her from licking the area. Use an Ecollar if necessary. Monitor the area for redness, swelling, and heat, which are signs of infection. If you see any of those signs, she has an infection, and she will need to see a vet right away for antibiotics.