Dog nail problems can and should be prevented by regular nail trimming. This is an essential part of your grooming routine necessary for maintaining good overall health of your smaller friend. Even one neglected nail can result in serious dog nail problems for your pooch. Long nails cause much discomfort to the owner. Curled nails complicate a dog’s walk. An overgrown dog’s nail can easily get suck in different surfaces. A snagged nail, when pulled too hard, can be torn out entirely. Untrimmed nails can grow into the footpad. This is especially true of dew claws. Dog nail problems make pet suffer from great pain. But these unpleasant incidents can be avoided by a regular nail trim. Brittle or cracked nails can also indicate some underlying skin disease or immune disorder. Thus, by proper nail trimming procedure you are able not only to prevent potential dog nail problems. Regular check-ups of your pet’s nail & paw conditions will help you reveal other health issues, if any.
There are some most general dog nail problems your pet may face.
Brittle nails
Brittle, dry or cracked nails are among widespread dog nail problems. Some veterinarians recommend supplementing dog’s food with biotin. Adding zinc gluconate may be effective for dogs with zinc deficiency. The latter can also cause various dog nail problems.
Sometimes brittle nails can be due to lupoid onchodystrophy. This skin disease mostly affects rottweilers, greyhounds, german shepherds and giant schnauzers. To diagnose this disease a sample from around the nail bed area is submitted for biopsy. Once the diagnosis is made, a long-term treatment starts. It may take half a year for the positive results to emerge. Vitamin E, fatty acid supplement (fish oil capsules) and other medications are required. Your vet will prescribe the correct dosage. Dog nail problems can be very painful to a pet. Make sure the set diagnosis is precise and start treatment as soon as possible.
Footpad injuries
Dog nail problems are very often connected with footpad injuries. This can be either a traumatic cut or some immune mediated problems. In any case have your dog examined by a vet. Different types of footpad injuries can be treated with anti-bacterial ointment or moisturizing lotion. This will prevent infection and keep the pad moist. For more comfort the foot may be bandaged, but it’s not that necessary. To avoid possible dog nail problems you can try using special boots for working dogs.
Split or torn toenail
A torn nail is one of the most painful dog nail problems. If this happens, the first thing you need to do is remove the loose edge of the nail. Otherwise it will rub on the quick causing much pain. Very often you can easily yank the edge with your fingers. If it’s still too firmly attached to the nail bed, use a good nail trimmer. Clip the dog’s nail at the level of the break. Rinse the foot with water to remove dirt or other debris. Though you can do it at home, it’s a good idea to use veterinary services. This will prevent infections and reduce the risk of further dog nail problems. Besides, your vet will be able to apply a temporary bandage to stop the bleeding. Some dogs can be quite aggressive because of the pain. They may need to be muzzled.
Cutting into the quick
One of the most common dog nail problems. First of all, let’s define what the “quick” is. This is a cluster of blood vessels and nerve endings that tend to nourish dog’s nails. The quick is clearly visible in light-colored nails. Nevertheless, the practice of accidental cutting into the quick is well-known among both professional groomers and pet owners. Though referring to most painful dog nail problems, it is not life-threatening at all. If you cut your dog’s nail too short and it’s bleeding, use a styptic pen or styptic powder. This effective remedy should always be at hand in your grooming kit. If there isn’t any, just pack some cornstarch or flour in the cut. Once the bleeding is stopped, apply some anti-bacterial ointment to avoid future dog nail problems.
Itchy feet
One of the most common dog nail problems. It’s usually an allergic reaction to different things. It may be caused by food, inhalant, contact allergy or atopy. If you see your dog licking his/her feet all the time, there are surely some allergens present. Biting at feet can also be related to dog nail problems of this kind.
In order to determine the true cause of itchiness take your dog to a veterinarian. In the case of contact allergy it might be a good idea to wash your pet’s feet after walks. This will remove possible allergens from his skin.
If a food allergy should be tested, put your dog on a special diet. Pick food rich in carbohydrates. This can be rice, potato or other vegetables. You can also choose products unfamiliar to your pet – venison, duck or food with manufactured proteins. Feed your dog such diet for about 6 to 8 weeks. This will allow you to ascertain whether food is the cause of the allergy and dog nail problems as a result.
Inhalant allergy can be tested in two ways – blood test (serology) and intradermal skin testing. The latter is more accurate and consists in injecting a tiny portion of the suspected allergen into the skin.
Dog nail problems caused by allergies can be treated in several ways. Your vet can design a special allergy shot program. Though, it proves to have any positive effects from 6 months since starting. So, have patience. Some pharmacologists recommend oral corticosteroids instead of using injections. Use of antihistamines, clemastine in particular, may be quite helpful. To relieve allergic itchiness it’s also effective to use a good proved flea & tick control product.
Dog nail problems can be quite stressful both for a dog and his owner. The reasons for dog nail problems differ from use injuries to underlying immune disorder. Understanding dog nail problems will let you prevent them. Always check your pet’s nail & paw condition to reveal any abnormalities. To prevent potential dog nail problems, trim your dog’s nails on a regular basis. Your vet can show you how to trim nails correctly to avoid possible dog nail problems. You can also find a helpful nail clipping article on the internet. It’s in your hands to provide good dog health for your pooch. Do not let dog nail problems cause trouble for both of you!
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