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The Kitchen Table

Sigh - Need fast help on toenail incident with Teddy (the dog)

13 years ago

Today, I was trimming Teddy's toenails with *incredible* care and doing it in small increments when I snipped off what I thought was a safe part and it started to bleed.

It's just one toenail (center of her front foot) and the bleeding stopped with a minute, but is this likely to get infected? Is there something else I should do, other than dab the spot with a clean towel?

I'd be so grateful for any advice.

PS. I was being so careful and I'm very upset with myself. :(

I'm just sick about this.

Rose

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Comments (8)

chubby_rat
13 years ago
It should be ok. I've had dogs break their toenail in half.Lots of bleeding,but they were fine.May be a little ouchy for a day.Please don't feel to bad. It happens to lots of people that trim the nails.I've had it happen at a groomers! She'll keep it clean. Hugs to you and Teddy! I KNOW you feel bad,but she still loves you!
lydia1959
13 years ago
He'll be fine! There is styptic powder you can buy that stops the bleeding immediately.. I have a little jar of it on hand for accidents like that.
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marie_ndcal
13 years ago
I think the styptic stuff comes in a stick form. Check either at the drug store or a pet store or even the vet. Pets seem to heal better than the owners!!!!
ruthieg__tx
13 years ago
It will be fine...we keep the styptic stuff of hand since the same thing happened to my DH. He was almost in tears because he hurt his beloved Molly. she sits so patiently while he trims. If you don't have a pencil...burn the end of a match or matches until you have enough to make a paste and use that to stop it from bleeding or to help it ...I wrapped it with a bandaid but it came off almost immediately..Teddy will be fine I am sure...It happens even when done professionally ..Honestly I think it probably hurt him more than Molly.
rosemaryt
Original Author
13 years ago
Thanks so much.

Teddy seems unfazed but I may never trim her toenails again. She's such a sweet little beastie and an endless source of entertainment.

She's a good companion and so trusting of me.

Has anyone tried that peticure (electrical) trimmer, that sands down their nails? Is that safer?

And whoever heard of a Sheltie with white paws and black nails? You can't see *anything* through those black nails. :(

Thanks again.
User
13 years ago
There are a couple of "emergency stops" for this kind of problem, and I've had to use them a couple of times, both work really well!

1) Cornstarch/rice starch - find some sort of dish that has high sides, and dump in some starch. Put Teddy's foot in the dish and pack the starch into the owie nail. It won't hurt to sort of gently hold his paw in your hand while you make sure the entire nail is imbedded with starch.

2) A bar of hand soap - I generally just scrape the foot across the soap so the soap imbeds into the owie. If Teddy's ok with you handling just one toe, it's a little easier to just pack the one instead of all the toes! BTW this also stops the dog from licking the owies until it heals a bit..(and as my mother believed, stops cursing too LOL)

Don't feel bad about "quicking" Teddy, he'll forgive you! He'll more than likely forget about it long after you will! Or, he'll be like our dog Bernie and milk this for a good few hours, except on occasion Bernie has forgotten which foot was sore, and holds up the wrong one, while giving me the woe face, and hoping for a treat.

My next dog will be trained from the beginning to accept having his/her nails dremeled instead of clipped. I wish I had done that with Bernie, but he's a little leary of it, and I don't have the patience to try and wrestle a 50lb dog!
redcurls
13 years ago
About your question regarding the nail trimming tool: I have the Dremel pet nail trimmer. I love it. It took my dog a little while to get used to the buzzing sound. (not loud) I even like it on my OWN toenails. I think it was around $25 at Amazon.

Our shelties always had black toenails, too. Even with white "boots".

I agree with the others...just be sure it stays as clean as possible for a few days. Check daily especially when she comes in from the yard.
susanjf_gw
13 years ago
wish i could get the dremel for ashley cat but she'drun the minute it was on...the older she's gotten the thicker her nail and nearly impossible to cut..i use a scissor that has a guard so you can't go very far...i do worry about her nails the older she gets...she's almost 18...don't want her to catch and fall...

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