Here's What You Need To Know About Common Toenail Injuries In Dogs

Toenail injuries are sadly not uncommon in dogs. A lack of regular grooming means many dogs are always at risk. Here’s what you need to know about this issue.

Trauma is the most common form of toenail injury. It typically is caused by a fracture, with the most commonly affected claw being the dewclaw – the one halfway to the wrist on the medial limb aspect. It’s so easy to injure that, in some breeds, it should be removed as part of a normal medical procedure.

Why are dewclaws so easily damaged? Well, they don’t usually touch the ground when a dog walks, meaning they don’t wear down, so they get caught on things easily. Regular trimming can reduce injury risk.

Another common form of trauma is avulsion, which basically means when a nail is totally ripped away from its nail bed. In the event that the vascular area of the nail is affected, hemorrhaging and pain will occur.

In both of these cases, trimming your dog’s nails can help prevent these issues from occurring. It can be daunting to start clipping your dog’s nails, but patience and treats are all you need (aside from clippers and styptic powder!)

If your dog’s nails are damaged in any way, you should see a vet in order to fend off and reduce the risk of infection.

Feature Image Source: Pixabay