How to Stop a Dog's Nail From Bleeding

Dogs and cats have a nerve-packed pulpy center to their claws called the "quick." The nail quick can become painful and start to bleed if a pet nails are clipped too short, and it can be difficult to stop this type of bleeding. A dog's nail is also prone to breaking or cracking if the dog's nails are allowed to grow too long, creating another situation where a pet owner will be faced with a dog with a bleeding, broken nail.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Styptic Powder
• OR Corn Starch (second choice)
• OR Flour (third choice)
• Clean Paper Towels or Gauze
• Anti-Bacterial Soap like Dial
• Luke Warm Water
• Rolled Gauze
• Betadine
• Antibiotic Ointment
• Tape
• Self-Adhering Ace Bandage
• An Elizabethan Collar (e-collar or lampshade)

1. Muzzle the dog to prevent a bite or nip due to pain. This process will be painful, no matter how gentle and careful you are.

2. Trim away the broken portion of the dog's nail. If the nail breakage is severe and very close to the base, a visit to the vet will be recommended for some sedation before the painful nail clipping is performed. If the broken portion of nail cannot be removed at home, trim away as much excess nail as possible and proceed to the next step. The dangling portion of nail must be removed, as it will promote bleeding and prevent healing if it's left in place.

3. Apply styptic powder to the bleeding tip of the dog's nail. If styptic powder is not available, use corn starch. If corn starch is not available, use flour. This will promote blood clotting.

4. Allow the styptic powder (or styptic powder substitute) to take effect for about 30 seconds. Then, reapply some additional styptic powder if necessary.

5. Apply pressure with a clean paper towel or gauze pad once the dog's bleeding has slowed significantly.

6. Wash the paw with anti-bacterial soap (i.e. Dial) once the dog's nail has stopped bleeding. Use luke warm water - hot water or cold water will shock the nerve-rich exposed quick in the dog's broken or clipped-too-short nail.

7. Pat the paw dry with clean paper towels after the dog's injured nail and paw has been washed,

8. Pour Betadine over the dog's broken nail and allow the Betadine to air dry.

9. Apply a dab of Neosporin or Aantibiotic ointment to stave off infection in the dog's injured nail.

10. Apply rolled gauze to the foot and ankle in a "figure 8" pattern. Wrap over the toes to keep the dog's broken or too-short nail from becoming contaminated with bacteria or dirt.

11. Cut the excess rolled gauze after two layers have been applied to the foot in the form of a bandage and tape the end of the gauze in place.

12. Wrap the dog's food with a self-adhering bandage, using a "figure 8" wrapping pattern around the dog's foot and ankle. This creates a more durable walking bandage, as the gauze will quickly degrade from walking.

13. Apply an Elizabethan collar, also known as an "e collar" or "lampshade" if the dog insists on biting or licking at the bandage.

14. Repeat steps 6 through 12 twice a day until the nail has grown out, covering the exposed quick of the dog's injured nail. This usually takes a couple of days, or even a week or more. When the dog's nail is no longer sensitive during washings and handling, the bandage will no longer be necessary.

Tips & Warnings

• When performing step 3, be sure to hold the dog's foot off the ground, or keep the dog sitting and non-weight bearing on the foot. Distract the dog to prevent licking while the styptic powder takes effect and slows the bleeding of the nail.
• Before placing an e-collar on the dog (per step 13,) ensure that the dog is not picking at the bandage due to discomfort. If the bandage is too tight, the dog will pick and bite at the bandage. To test wrapping tightness, test wrap your own arm and wait five minutes. If you experience any discomfort, tingling, throbbing or coldness in your hand, then the bandage is too tight.
• Keep the bandage clean. Place a sock over the bandage and tape it at the ankle for added walking durability or place a plastic baggie over the foot and tape it at the ankle for a trip outside.
• Monitor the foot for swelling, redness, or additional pain. The dog's pain should be decreasing over time, not increasing. If the foot appears to be getting red or swollen, this indicates an infection and veterinary care is a must.
• Only apply about two layers of rolled gauze to the foot and ankle - avoid creating a bulky bandage, as this will promote licking and biting at the bandage.
• Avoid wrapping the bandage too tight. This will cut off circulation to the dog's foot.
• Do not bandage other injuries on your pet unless directed to do so by your veterinarian. Feet are generally the only area of a dog that is routinely bandaged due to the high risk of contamination.
• Cracked nails or nail breakage that's close to the base of the nail will require veterinary attention. Sedation and even anesthesia will be required to clip or "de-shell" the dog's broken nail.

Resources

• More Tips to Stop a Dog's Nail from Bleeding
• Dog Nail Clipping Tips
• Nail Injuries in Dogs
• Dog Nail Clippers vs. Peticure Pet Nail Trimmers
• How to Groom a Dog at Home
• Paw Pad Injuries in Dogs
• Why is My Dog Limping?

[carlykeller]

on 11/1/2009 This article worked wonders for my dog!!! I had recently gotten him from a friend and he is older and still had his dew claws. I noticed yesterday he was acting funny then saw saw blood. His dew claw had been nearly severed so I cut it off the rest of the way causing no further pain.

This was the only website that told how to treat it without sending me to 50 different websites and it saved me alot of money on a vet appointment. I THANK YOU AND HOOCH THANKS YOU it totally worked!!!! AWESOME!

[annvans]

on 6/4/2009 Just the thought of my dogs nail bleeding hurts. This is great info on how to stop your dogs nail from bleeding. Thanks!

[e-Rambler]

on 11/29/2008 Excellent in-depth article on all the info one may just need treating bleeding nails. 5*!