Losing a toenail hurts. When a dog loses a toenail you might not know it. They have a great tolerance for all kinds of pain.
Recently my dog decided to split the nail cap off of one of her front nails. Underneath of course is that nice squishy soft, vulnerable nail bed. I didn’t think anything of it and she didn’t seem to mind. I thought it would just reattach and grow back to normal, naturally. It didn’t for over a week.
Went to the vet. The vet takes one look at it and says we can get this done today. I was thinking we could schedule it for a week or two later. She says no, we need to do it now so it doesn’t get infected.
This is an injury that can happen anytime of year and is just as serious now in the winter months as it would be in the summer. Let me explain. It’s all about getting dirty and wet or staying clean and dry.
That squishy nail bed can easily cut open from grit, ice shards, rough play, you name it. Once cut open it will bleed a bit. Not much blood shows so it is easy to be fooled about what is going on under that separated nail. Open wound equals open door for infection.
Now remember, this separated nail cap is rather common. It can happen due to all types of activity and has nothing to do with the health or biological make up of your best friend. The point here is to act sooner rather than later. The procedure to repair and clean the nail bed is quick and relatively inexpensive compared to infection that might infiltrate your pups foot and cause lots of pain and higher medical costs.
So, half day later, a couple of hundred dollars and my best friend came home with me on the same day. Cone a shame, antibiotics for week and pain pills if things get dicey.
The bottom line for this happy ending is simply to keep a good eye on your pets. Regularly check their feet, undercarriage, ears, ever where.
I noticed my dog’s nail separation only because I was laying on the floor with her playing solitaire on my tablet. She had not been paying any irregular attention to it at all. No excessive licking, no limping. Nothing.
I took a couple of photos of her toe and sent it to my vet. That’s how I learned it was serious but easily remedied.
Keep happy. Keep hiking with your dogs. Have a wonderful 2019!!!
Dog Hikes 