My puppy's missing nail is bleeding. What to do until the vet?

I think as long as you schedule a visit on Monday Bertie should be okay. I'd recommend getting a E-collar to prevent Bertie from licking the nail as this may result in infection. You can also soak the foot in a diluted chlorohexidine or diluted iodine solution and then rinse thoroughly. If Bertie stops eating, acts lethargic, starts limping, or is obsessively trying to lick the nail then it would be better to get him to a veterinarian sooner. If he remains otherwise normal I think you are okay in waiting until Monday. Torn nails can be pretty painful, but please remember there are no safe over the counter pain medications for dogs so you will need a prescription from a vet for pain meds. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach and I hope Bertie's issue resolves quickly!

It definitely appears to be torn at the fleshy part of the nail. These can sometimes be easily removed. You can try this at home if you are comfortable, but should be prepared for a lot of bleeding. Before you attempt that, I recommend you read the article at the link below. "https://undefinedvcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/first-aid-for-broken-nails-in-dogs" It's good to keep it clean and keep it covered for now. You can keep it clean by flushing the foot with cool water for 10 minutes a day. You can also do a footbath with epsom salts for 15 minutes once a day.  I hope that helps and Blue gets better soon.

Hello. This is such a common injury in dogs. Veterinarians deal with this by cutting the nail at the break & then applying an antibiotic cream mixed with a little lidocaine to stop the pain. The foot stays bandaged for a couple of days until the sensitive tissue starts to heal. From here, the nail will begin to grow out & Jack will be back to his old self. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Poor Chico! If the broken part of the nail is still present then the nail needs to be cut back. If the tow is swollen there may be an infection. I recommend an appointment with your Vet to have the nail cut back if needed, an anti-inflammatory and antibiotics. Sometimes we bandage the foot or use and Elizabethan collar (cone) to prevent licking. I hope this helps and I wish Chico a speedy recovery!

Hello, and thanks for your question on Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Poor Harley! Torn toe nails (including dew claws) are common injuries, and thankfully are not medical emergencies so she should be ok until morning. If you can see a nail that appears broken, sometimes soaking in an epsom salt bath for 5-10 minutes twice daily can a bit. You can either soak the affected paw in a little bucket of epsom water, or you can fill the tub 2-3 inches and have her stand in it. However, if any of this causes her stress or she resists it, then I wouldn't push it - she could get more hurt if she's struggling against you. Otherwise, I recommend keeping her on level ground when she needs to go outside, so she's not accidentally bending that nail, and keep her as quiet as possible until she can be seen by your vet. I do NOT recommend giving her anything for pain. None of our human medications are going to be safe or effective, and anything you give her could interfere with a better medication that your vet may want to prescribe. Hope this helps!

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! If you can remove the nail that is remaining, I would. You can cut the quick, too, if needed. If it bleeds, thickly apply something powdered, like corn starch or flour, to clot the blood. Then place a bandage over the nail for no longer than 24 hours. You MUST take the bandage off in 24 hours and do not place it tightly. If Rex is licking the area, he could cause an infection, so monitor for any swelling, discharge, or redness until the new nail grows. You can also soak the paw in an Epsom salt bath to soothe the area (make sure it is dry before applying the bandage). I cannot stress enough that he cannot wear the bandage longer than 24 hours. Good luck and kisses to Rex!

Hi there and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to address your concern. I would recommend taking her in to the vet to have this cut back so that the nail does not snag on anything and tear. She may need an antibiotic as well as a pain medication. Angel will be ok and it does not appear that there are any other concerning changes where the broken nail is. This should be quite simple for the veterinarian to address. Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns and I would be more than happy to help you further!