Effective Treatment for Bleeding Dog Nails

If your dog's nails bleed frequently, this can be a sign of a variety of health problems that require prompt treatment and attention. Dog nail bleeding can be effectively prevented and managed by regular nail trimming, keeping nails clean, providing a balanced diet, and seeking prompt medical attention. If your dog's nail bleeding is minor, you can treat it yourself at home. Use a clean gauze or cotton ball to gently press on the wound until the bleeding stops. Then gently wipe around the nail with warm water and a mild pet-friendly cleaning solution to prevent infection. Avoid allowing your dog to lick the wound as this may lead to infection. If the bleeding from your dog's nail is more serious or continues to bleed and cannot be stopped, it is recommended that you contact your veterinarian promptly for treatment.

What Causes Dog Nails to Bleed?

1. Excessively long nails

Overly long nails in dogs are one of the common causes of nail bleeding. Overly long nails can easily get caught on objects or break during daily activities, which can lead to bleeding. Regular trimming of your dog's nails is key to preventing this condition. Generally, it is appropriate to trim nails every 1-2 weeks.

2. Injuries during play

Dogs may break their nails by exerting too much force while playing. In this case, it is essential to stop the bleeding and observe the wound for signs of infection. If the wound is small, you can use hemostatic powder or clean gauze to stop the bleeding by applying pressure.

3. Fungal infection

Fungal infections can destroy the roots of the nail bed, making the nail brittle and breakable. If fungal infection is suspected, you should take your dog to a veterinarian promptly, who may prescribe antifungal medication for treatment.

Also Read: Yeast in Dogs Paws

4. Nail bed tumors

Tumors of the nail bed are a rare condition that is most often seen in older dogs. The first symptom of nail bed tumors is that the dog's nails become brittle, followed by bleeding, lameness, and ulcers on the dog's feet when the tumor spreads throughout the foot. If you notice any unusual changes in your dog's nails, you should seek immediate medical attention.

5. Symmetrical Lupus-like Nail Deformity

This disease causes a dog's nails to dry out, become brittle, and eventually fall off. This is because the immune system perceives the nails as enemies, so it stops all nutrient delivery to the nails. If you suspect this disease, you should seek medical attention; there are better domestic treatments for this disease.

6. Malnutrition

Malnutrition may also cause your dog's nails to become brittle and prone to bleeding. It is important to ensure that your dog's diet is well-balanced and contains enough protein, vitamins and minerals. If a dog's nails bleed frequently, its diet may need to be adjusted.

7. Other health problems

In addition to the causes mentioned above, frequent bleeding from a dog's nails can be a sign of other health problems, such as blood clotting problems and endocrine disorders. If bleeding from the dog's nails persists or is accompanied by other symptoms such as lameness, swelling, pain, etc., you should take your dog to the veterinarian immediately for a thorough examination.

Related: Dog Paw Bleeding: Causes and Treatment

Does a Dog Continue to Walk with an Injured Nail?

Whether a dog can continue to walk after a nail injury depends on the severity of the injury and the dog's individual reaction. Here is a detailed analysis:

• Minor Injury

If a dog's nails are only slightly damaged, such as small cracks or minor abrasions on the surface of the nails, it usually does not affect the dog's ability to walk. The dog may show slight discomfort but can still walk normally. In this case, the owner can carry out simple treatments at home, such as cleaning the wound, applying anti-inflammatory ointment and observing the healing of the wound.

• Moderate damage

If a dog has a moderate injury to the nail, such as a partially broken or torn nail, the dog may feel pain and may limp when walking. In this case, the dog may need to limit activity to avoid further injury. Owners can try to perform initial treatment at home, such as cleaning the wound, stopping the bleeding, disinfecting and bandaging it, but if the wound is deeper or if it bleeds more than once, medical attention should be sought.

• Serious Injury

If a dog's nails are severely injured, such as when the nail is completely broken or detached from the root, the dog may experience severe pain, walk with a noticeable limp or be reluctant to use the injured foot. In this case, the dog needs immediate medical attention and the veterinarian may carry out further examination and treatment such as stitching up the wound, giving painkillers or antibiotics.

• Risk of infection

Regardless of the severity of the injury, there is a risk of infection if the wound is not treated promptly and appropriately. Signs of infection include redness and swelling around the wound, fever, and increased discharge. If you notice these symptoms, you should take your dog to the veterinarian immediately to prevent the infection from spreading.

How to Stop Dog Nail Bleeding?

Hemostasis

• Use a hemostatic powder or pen: hemostatic powders or pens are the most common way to stop bleeding. They contain vasoconstrictive ingredients that can help clot the blood. Dip your dog's nails directly into the hemostatic powder or use an applicator to apply the powder to the bleeding area and apply moderate pressure for a few minutes until the bleeding stops.
• Homemade hemostatic methods: If you don't have hemostatic powder, you can use some common household items such as flour, baking soda or cornstarch. Cover the bleeding nail with these items and apply gentle pressure with a towel or cloth until the bleeding stops2.
• Pressing to stop bleeding: Use a clean gauze or cotton ball to gently press on the bleeding area for a few minutes until the bleeding stops. This process can be repeated if the bleeding persists.

Clean the wound

• Warm water rinse: Gently rinse the wound with warm water to remove any dirt and bacteria that may be present. Avoid using hydrogen peroxide as it may irritate the wound and delay healing.
• Avoid licking: Dogs may try to lick the wound, which can lead to infection. An Elizabethan collar or other protection can be used to prevent the dog from licking the wound.

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Disinfect the wound

• Use povidone-iodine or alcohol: Dip a cotton swab in povidone-iodine or alcohol and gently apply it to the wound to kill any bacteria that may be present. Make sure you use medical alcohol and avoid alcohol with flavors or other additives.
• Avoid hydrogen peroxide: hydrogen peroxide may irritate wounds and is not recommended for sterilizing wounds in dogs.

Dress the wound

• Use gauze or bandage: Gently wrap the wound with sterile gauze or bandage to protect the wound and prevent further contamination. Do not bandage too tightly as this may interfere with blood circulation.
• Secure the gauze: Use first aid tape or other securing methods to ensure that the gauze does not come off when the dog moves around.

Observe the wound

• Regular inspection: Check the wound daily to make sure there are no signs of infection, such as redness, swelling, warmth or discharge. If you notice anything unusual, seek medical attention immediately.
• Avoid getting wet: Try to avoid getting your dog's paws wet while the wound is healing to avoid infection.

Seek medical attention

• Severe bleeding or wound infection: If your dog's nails bleed severely, or if the wound shows signs of infection, such as redness, swelling, warmth or discharge, you should take your dog to a veterinarian immediately. The veterinarian may perform further tests and treatments, such as suturing the wound or giving antibiotics.
• Abnormal blood clotting: If your dog has abnormal blood clotting, the bleeding may continue for a longer period of time or be recurrent. In this case, medical attention is required for further examination and treatment.

How to Prevent Dog Nail Bleeding?

The key to preventing bleeding nails in dogs is regular nail trimming, proper trimming methods, keeping nails healthy, and avoiding activities that can lead to nail injuries. Here are some specific preventive measures:

I. Regular Nail Trimming

Regular trimming of your dog's nails is the key to preventing nail bleeding. When a dog's nails are too long, they can easily get caught in objects such as doorways and floors, resulting in broken or torn nails. Therefore, owners should trim their dog's nails regularly to maintain the proper length. Generally speaking, it is appropriate to trim nails every 2-3 weeks.

II. Correct Trimming Methods

It is also important to use the proper tools and methods to trim your dog's nails. Choose a specialized dog nail trimmer and learn the correct trimming method to avoid injuring the blood vessels of your dog's nails. If you are not sure how to do it, consult your veterinarian or a professional pet groomer. When trimming, be careful to avoid cutting the blood vessels and nerves in the nails, areas that are usually pink or red in color. If your dog's nails are black and you can't easily see the blood lines, you can cut a little less at a time and gradually trim to the right length.

III. Keeping Nails Healthy

The health of your dog's nails is also important. Nails can be kept healthy through proper exercise and nutrition. Exercise can help keep your dog's body in good shape and nails healthy. In addition, the right amount of exercise can burn off your dog's energy and reduce the number of accidents that can happen when they roam around the house. In terms of diet, make sure your dog is getting enough protein, vitamins and minerals, which are essential for healthy nails.

IV. Avoid activities that can lead to nail injuries

Avoid exposing your dog to activities that can cause nail injuries, such as running, jumping or playing on rough surfaces. If your dog spends a lot of time outdoors, consider putting shoes on them to protect their paws. Additionally, avoid letting your dog walk on hot pavement during hot weather to avoid burning their paws.

V. Regular Inspection

Regularly inspect your dog's paws and remove and sterilize any moist red attachments or other abnormalities found at the root of the nails. If you find cracks or deformities in the nails, you should have them repaired by a professional in time.

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Conclusion

Effective treatment of bleeding nails in dogs requires a combination of prompt hemostatic measures, appropriate home emergency treatment, and rigorous follow-up care. While home treatments can cope with the situation to a certain extent, veterinary expertise and treatment are essential to ensure your dog's full recovery. Therefore, it is important to have both a basic emergency response and know when to seek professional help when dealing with bleeding nails in dogs.

Also Read: Comprehensive Guide on How to Stop Dog Nail Bleeding at Home