Cracked nail healing time?

[LisaK]

My border collie mix split a nail on her front left leg, so we went to the vet and the nail had to be cut way back, styptic liquid applied and the foot bandaged. She got a sedative injection and I was given Amoxitabs for 5 days for her. The fill-in vet said I could take the bandage off the next day, but I left it on until the following day. There was no blood when I removed the bandage and everything was fine for the next three days until the fourth day, she came in from playing outside with my other dog and I see blood on her toe. It was not gushing out or anything, so the vet's office said to put more styptic stuff on it and I could also use antibiotic ointment and to keep it wrapped. I also picked up more Amoxitabs. Today I changed the bandage and saw a little blood again - I had just taken her for a walk outside on a leash. I have an apptmt on Wed to recheck. It's been 11 days since the nail was cut back - why is it taking so long to heal? I've been keeping her inside and try to keep her calm - not easy. I have no experience with cracked nails -does this sound abnormal?

Thanks.

[mamaof4soon]

Ok let me try to put this into perspective for you......The part that is cut is the quick, like us when we break our nail to short it hurts like a *$&^^$&*&%* right . Well not only did she break her nail but they had to cut her quick deep. Which must hurt a lot. When a nail is cut that short it wont take much to make it bleed. Can you try putting a booty on her foot when you go out. even if its a thick sock on her foot. Just something to cussion her toe when she hits it on the pavement or even when she is in the house. DO NOT tape around the foot completely or tie it with string. Use a sock but cut the sock( i know seems stupid but do that) then put it over the foot and tape the too side together(without rapping around it with tape) to keep it on. The reason i say not to tape completely around it is because if it becomes tight you might not know till her foot is loosing circulation. UMMMMMM like my mom did to our dog 25 years ago .

Good that you are getting a look at it again by vet. Remember anything can agrivate it so even if she is on carpeting it can open it up. Ask them about rapping it at home with Vet Wrap and ask how to do it right it might help keep it from getting abused of.

good luck

[LisaK]

Ok let me try to put this into perspective for you......The part that is cut is the quick, like us when we break our nail to short it hurts like a *$&^^$&*&%* right . Well not only did she break her nail but they had to cut her quick deep. Which must hurt a lot. When a nail is cut that short it wont take much to make it bleed. Can you try putting a booty on her foot when you go out. even if its a thick sock on her foot. Just something to cussion her toe when she hits it on the pavement or even when she is in the house. DO NOT tape around the foot completely or tie it with string. Use a sock but cut the sock( i know seems stupid but do that) then put it over the foot and tape the too side together(without rapping around it with tape) to keep it on. The reason i say not to tape completely around it is because if it becomes tight you might not know till her foot is loosing circulation. UMMMMMM like my mom did to our dog 25 years ago .



Good that you are getting a look at it again by vet. Remember anything can agrivate it so even if she is on carpeting it can open it up. Ask them about rapping it at home with Vet Wrap and ask how to do it right it might help keep it from getting abused of.

good luck

Thanks. Her foot has been kept bandaged since last Wed. I change the bandage (gauze wrap and vet wrap) every day to day and a half or more if it gets wet. I know about the tightness. When we go outside she wears a heavy plastic bag over the bandage. The toe doesn't seem to bother her (I know it would KILL me!) I just thought it should be healing faster.

[davet]

it will heat at its own rate..personally I would tell a client to not bandage but maybe put a bootie on it or a wqrapo when the dog goes outside...I think its better to let the air get at it and it will heal no matter what you do

just another one of my stupid comments but the old time hog farmes used to cut a notch in their nail near the quick when their sow was bred because by the time the little notch grows out the pig will be reaqdy to give birth

interestin?????

Oh