How to Deal with a Bleeding Dog Nail

Dog nails are notoriously known for the vein that runs nearly to the tip. In fact, most dog owners have heard that if you cut that vein, the blood won't be able to stop. Although this statement is false, treatment of a cut vein isn't simple. There are certain steps you can take that will quickly stop the blood, but sometimes those steps just don't work. After you have tried all the commercial products, you must act quickly to stop your dog's nail from bleeding too much. This is considered pet first-aid. Any veterinarian, pet groomer, or pet owner should know this sequence. Here are the steps you should take to deal with a bleeding dog nail.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Paper towels
• ice
• Styptic Powder

1. Dip your dog's nail in a tablespoon of Styptic Powder. This is a type of antiseptic that contracts the blood vessel back up into the claw. If you don't have styptic powder lying around your house, you can use baking soda or flour as a substitute. This usually stops the bleeding. If this does not work, however, move on to step 2.

2. Compress the wound with a paper towel and apply pressure. Rather than squeezing the paw, apply pressure on the wound toward the paw.

3. Apply ice to the area over the paper towel or rag. Make sure your dog is comfortable during this time because it could take a while to stop the bleeding entirely.

4. Switch to a dry rag and continue applying pressure to the nail. As the ice melts and as they get saturated with blood, the paper towels become too damp and no longer serve their purpose.

5. Call Vet after 30 minutes of continuous bleeding. If nothing you have done has worked, call a professional immediately. This indicates a condition in your dog that prevents him from clotting blood. It is potentially life threatening if untreated.

Tips & Warnings

• Cut your dog's nails one bit at a time. This prevents any major bleeding because you don't clip much off at one time.
• If you have a mini grinder, or a dremel, these can be perfect for shortening dog claws. If you get to the blood vessel, the bleeding will be minimal because you can catch your mistake sooner.
• Neglecting nail care can make the vein grow to the tip of the nail causing bleeding every time you clip.
• Styptic powder does burn, so expect your dog to flinch or pull back his paw.

Resources

• Nail Care for your Puppy