Broken or torn claw: a frequent accident in dogs
Claw fracture, called traumatic onysis in veterinary jargon, is a relatively common accident in dogs.
Most often, the accident occurs when the dog's claws are a little too long, either because their growth is too fast, or because their wear is too weak. The dog then breaks a claw during a play session or a walk. The claw most often affected is the ergot, this claw present on the fifth finger of the dog (the equivalent of the thumb) and which does not rest on the ground. Generally, it is therefore sufficient to regularly trim the claws of your dog to prevent breakage.
It happens, however, that a broken claw is the warning sign of a claw disease which has the effect of weakening the nails of the animal or of a systemic disease of the dog. Leishmaniasis is, for example, the cause of abnormal growth of the claws which lengthen, deform and crack or break much more easily.
What should I do if my dog has broken a claw?
There are two ways to react to a broken claw in your dog, depending on how severe it is.
If the claw has only broken at its end and it is broken quite cleanly, then all you have to do is disinfect your pet's claw by applying an antiseptic that does not sting and then clean it. Prevent the dog from licking his paw by having him wear a collar for 2 to 3 days if necessary. The bleeding can be very heavy if the sharp part of the nail has been affected and the broken claw can be quite painful for the animal.So be extremely careful when you undertake to treat your animal. Monitor the progress of his wound and disinfect daily until healed. In the slightest doubt or if you do not feel able to carry out its care alone, consult your veterinarian.
On the other hand, if your dog's claw has broken higher up, near the base of the finger, is bent or torn in its length, veterinary intervention will be necessary. After your animal has been sedated, the veterinarian must quickly excise the claw in order to avoid the occurrence of an infection and allow normal regrowth. At the end of this short intervention, your dog will come out with a bandage to be removed within 24 hours and will be free to wear a collar for a few days. If you have delayed seeing your veterinarian, antibiotic treatment may be prescribed for your dog.