Split nail

Taz · 08-03-2004, 09:41 PM

Taz has a nail that is split right from the tip to where it meets the skin. I have been cleaning it, but other than that is there anything I can do to help speed the healing? Also it has grown out a bit, but I'm scared if I try to clip or dremel it, it might make it worse.

I think he must have softer nails than normal, because he has broken a number of nails before even when they are nice and short, but never split before. Is there anything that will help toughen them up?

Has anyone else had this problem?

Barrett · 08-03-2004, 10:19 PM

OY! That sounds painful! Is it bleeding? I wouldn't put anything like neosporin on it if its bleeding, plus most of those ointments say not to swallow. Just wrap it up and keep it clean. Peroxide should be safe. You don't want that to get infected. My old german shorthair hurt his toenail (We accidently caught it in the tail gate of our truck)and it got infected and he had to have the toe amputated.

dollface · 08-04-2004, 06:24 AM

Dozer and Taz done this. I just soaked them in warm water cleaned with peroxide and put polysporin on it. I also cut off the part of the nail that would catch on things. I only did that for about a week and all healed nice. Polysporin doesn't hurt as long as it isn't alot, I use it all the time with my dogs and they have never gotten sick, my vet said it is fine al long as it is a little. I rubbed it into the nail where it was cracked/split.

Taz · 08-04-2004, 07:46 AM

I have been cleaning it with peroxide, but surprisingly hasn't been bleeding it at all. It's the shell that split, I can see the quick, but it isn't split.

sambucca/whiskey · 08-04-2004, 07:56 AM

how about putting some clear polish just to protect it, I know some stores sell nail polish for dogs.

***Carrie*** · 08-04-2004, 06:23 PM

When a horse gets a quarter crack in it's hoof, you can use an apoxy of some sort to keep it filled and keep it from splitting more. If there's a wound to the skin, I wouldn't use that. You can feed some plain Gelatin in the food to help strengthen the nails. Don't put too much or you might get diarrhea, but one packet once a day should be fine for a big dog. Ester C vitamin can help too. Dogs make their own vitamin C, but perhaps not enough so a little extra won't hurt. Good luck. It ought to heal up soon.

***Carrie*** · 08-13-2004, 08:01 AM

Ha ha ha ha ha ha....I just noticed this: "Don't put too much or you might get diarrhea"

Well.....if the dog eats the geletin, you probably won't get diarrhea from it. LOL, LOL.

dollface · 08-13-2004, 09:38 AM

Don't use the peroxide any more then a day or so cause it stops it from healing (can't remember where I read that). I only used it to clean it out, after that I just soaked and polysporin. Taz litterally had his nail crack right in half it bled and Dozer had his split all the way up, like the whole nail was split in half but still kinda together (if that made sense). I just made sure I cut off any lose, sharp parts of the nail so it couldn't catch on anything. They do heal pretty fast, I only soaked it for the first week. I think my dogs did it from chasing each other and getting tripped up

Taz · 08-18-2004, 02:47 PM

Thanks everyone. The split part of the nail fell off today, and the new nail is growing in nicely.

Taz · 08-26-2004, 09:12 PM

Poor guy has 2 more split nails

I think they are painfull this time tho, he will not let me near him to cut the loose part off. I can't think of whats causing it

I always keep them nice and short. I'm going to try to get in to the vet or groomer tomorrow, see what they have to say. Maybe between the 2 of us we can at least get the the split part off.

PitBullie09 · 08-26-2004, 09:16 PM

No..BUT chance has 2 nails on each dew claw. On 1 foot the 2 mails are grown together and were in his skin. It was a huge nail. On the other the nails are on differnt sides. We took him to the vet and had them clipped. Now it dont bother him. And it bleed. Really bad.

08-03-2004, 09:41 PM	#1 (permalink)
Taz Join Date: May 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 611 Rep Power: 96	Split nail Taz has a nail that is split right from the tip to where it meets the skin. I have been cleaning it, but other than that is there anything I can do to help speed the healing? Also it has grown out a bit, but I'm scared if I try to clip or dremel it, it might make it worse. I think he must have softer nails than normal, because he has broken a number of nails before even when they are nice and short, but never split before. Is there anything that will help toughen them up? Has anyone else had this problem?
	__________________ Money will buy a pretty good dog but it won't buy the wag of his tail. - Josh Billings

08-04-2004, 06:24 AM	#3 (permalink)
dollface 4 Boston Terriers Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Canada Saskatchewan Posts: 903 Rep Power: 101	Dozer and Taz done this. I just soaked them in warm water cleaned with peroxide and put polysporin on it. I also cut off the part of the nail that would catch on things. I only did that for about a week and all healed nice. Polysporin doesn't hurt as long as it isn't alot, I use it all the time with my dogs and they have never gotten sick, my vet said it is fine al long as it is a little. I rubbed it into the nail where it was cracked/split.
	__________________ The only thing worse then a fool Is the person that argue's with one A dog is only as smart as their owner

08-04-2004, 07:46 AM	#4 (permalink)
Taz Join Date: May 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 611 Rep Power: 96	I have been cleaning it with peroxide, but surprisingly hasn't been bleeding it at all. It's the shell that split, I can see the quick, but it isn't split.
	__________________ Money will buy a pretty good dog but it won't buy the wag of his tail. - Josh Billings

08-04-2004, 06:23 PM	#6 (permalink)
*Carrie* Super Moderator Super Moderator Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: north panhandle of Idaho Posts: 7,434 Rep Power: 287	When a horse gets a quarter crack in it's hoof, you can use an apoxy of some sort to keep it filled and keep it from splitting more. If there's a wound to the skin, I wouldn't use that. You can feed some plain Gelatin in the food to help strengthen the nails. Don't put too much or you might get diarrhea, but one packet once a day should be fine for a big dog. Ester C vitamin can help too. Dogs make their own vitamin C, but perhaps not enough so a little extra won't hurt. Good luck. It ought to heal up soon.
	__________________ Get more out of Global Paw. Check out these great features. Global Paw Book Club -- Art Classes -- Woof Review As a member of Global paw staff my opinions are not necessarily those of the website or the owner.

08-13-2004, 08:01 AM	#7 (permalink)
*Carrie* Super Moderator Super Moderator Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: north panhandle of Idaho Posts: 7,434 Rep Power: 287	Ha ha ha ha ha ha....I just noticed this: "Don't put too much or you might get diarrhea" Well.....if the dog eats the geletin, you probably won't get diarrhea from it. LOL, LOL.
	__________________ Get more out of Global Paw. Check out these great features. Global Paw Book Club -- Art Classes -- Woof Review As a member of Global paw staff my opinions are not necessarily those of the website or the owner.

08-03-2004, 10:19 PM	#2 (permalink)
Barrett dachshund Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Washington Posts: 2,758 Rep Power: 157	OY! That sounds painful! Is it bleeding? I wouldn't put anything like neosporin on it if its bleeding, plus most of those ointments say not to swallow. Just wrap it up and keep it clean. Peroxide should be safe. You don't want that to get infected. My old german shorthair hurt his toenail (We accidently caught it in the tail gate of our truck)and it got infected and he had to have the toe amputated.

08-04-2004, 07:56 AM	#5 (permalink)
sambucca/whiskey Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 164 Rep Power: 0	how about putting some clear polish just to protect it, I know some stores sell nail polish for dogs.

08-13-2004, 09:38 AM	#8 (permalink)
dollface 4 Boston Terriers Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Canada Saskatchewan Posts: 903 Rep Power: 101	Don't use the peroxide any more then a day or so cause it stops it from healing (can't remember where I read that). I only used it to clean it out, after that I just soaked and polysporin. Taz litterally had his nail crack right in half it bled and Dozer had his split all the way up, like the whole nail was split in half but still kinda together (if that made sense). I just made sure I cut off any lose, sharp parts of the nail so it couldn't catch on anything. They do heal pretty fast, I only soaked it for the first week. I think my dogs did it from chasing each other and getting tripped up
	__________________ The only thing worse then a fool Is the person that argue's with one A dog is only as smart as their owner

08-18-2004, 02:47 PM	#9 (permalink)
Taz Join Date: May 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 611 Rep Power: 96	Thanks everyone. The split part of the nail fell off today, and the new nail is growing in nicely.
	__________________ Money will buy a pretty good dog but it won't buy the wag of his tail. - Josh Billings

08-26-2004, 09:12 PM	#10 (permalink)
Taz Join Date: May 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 611 Rep Power: 96	Poor guy has 2 more split nails I think they are painfull this time tho, he will not let me near him to cut the loose part off. I can't think of whats causing it I always keep them nice and short. I'm going to try to get in to the vet or groomer tomorrow, see what they have to say. Maybe between the 2 of us we can at least get the the split part off.
	__________________ Money will buy a pretty good dog but it won't buy the wag of his tail. - Josh Billings

08-26-2004, 09:16 PM	#11 (permalink)
PitBullie09 ACD/Pit Bull Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Arkansas Posts: 2,477 Rep Power: 131	No..BUT chance has 2 nails on each dew claw. On 1 foot the 2 mails are grown together and were in his skin. It was a huge nail. On the other the nails are on differnt sides. We took him to the vet and had them clipped. Now it dont bother him. And it bleed. Really bad.
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