Flaking Nails

[Belijae]

Forge's toenails are a bit flaky. The rest of his fur and skin seem okay - does it sound like his missing some nutrients in the food he's getting?

He rarely digs, and I can't think of anything else that might be damaging them.

Any advice on where to start looking would be much appreciated.

[poodlefan]

It may not necessarily be diet related. There are some nail disorders that are immune related.

I'd be starting my investigation with a vet visit.

[Belijae]

Okay. Thanks poodlefan.

[Poodle wrangler]

Do you trim his nails?

If you dremel them with the wrong type of attachment e.g. too coarse sandpaper the nails can peel back off the rough edge

http://homepages.udayton.edu/~merensjp/dob...mel/dremel.html

[BC]

Sometimes Vinnies nails flake a little when he's been running on hard surfaces. Just little chips on the end, nothing major.

What sort of surfaces is your dog on ?

[Belijae]

Do you trim his nails?

If you dremel them with the wrong type of attachment e.g. too coarse sandpaper the nails can peel back off the rough edge

http://homepages.udayton.edu/~merensjp/dob...mel/dremel.html

I'v got a dog nail clipper... I actually clipped his nails two nights ago and noticed the flaking this morning. Might be that the clipper I bought was a little too cheap?

Sometimes Vinnies nails flake a little when he's been running on hard surfaces. Just little chips on the end, nothing major.

What sort of surfaces is your dog on ?

The yard is majority grass, but there is also pebbly concrete and pavers, which is the shadiest area and where he sleeps mostly during the day. We also go for walks including on the concrete paths around the neighborhood.

[JAG]

I'm with PF on this one. Depending on how bad they are flaking and if they are starting to separate I would seek vets advice. Ask for a blood test for auto immune disorders.

[Belijae]

The flaking had stopped/worn away by the time I got to the vets (today), but he has foot fungus, so we've got some spray for his feet, so will hopefully be all fixed soon.

I asked about the immune problems and the vet didn't think the blood tests were necessasry.

[Belijae]

Poodle wrangler, I only just noticed that you supplied a link with your post (duh ) - It is a very well written 'how to' page ... OH was thinking he might want a dremmel for christmas - I might just encourage that thought.

Edited December 10, 2007 by Belijae

[PossumCorner]

The flaking had stopped/worn away by the time I got to the vets (today), but he has foot fungus, so we've got some spray for his feet, so will hopefully be all fixed soon.

I asked about the immune problems and the vet didn't think the blood tests were necessasry.

Belijae I don't like to sound doomy-gloomy, but a second opinion fairly soon might not be a bad idea. Is "foot fungus" common or well known: sounds strange. One of my dogs had flaky nails, vet didn't seem concerned but problem continued and I luckily changed vets. And he did test positive to Lupoid, which is a horrendous immune disorder as Jag and PoodleFan mentioned. It is worth doing a google for Lupoid and reading some of the research or lack of it. Some vets have never heard of it which I find hard to take as it nearly killed my dog, and he will never fully recover. Melbourne Uni has the best research on it in Australia.

[poodlefan]

The flaking had stopped/worn away by the time I got to the vets (today), but he has foot fungus, so we've got some spray for his feet, so will hopefully be all fixed soon.

I asked about the immune problems and the vet didn't think the blood tests were necessasry.

Belijae I don't like to sound doomy-gloomy, but a second opinion fairly soon might not be a bad idea. Is "foot fungus" common or well known: sounds strange. One of my dogs had flaky nails, vet didn't seem concerned but problem continued and I luckily changed vets. And he did test positive to Lupoid, which is a horrendous immune disorder as Jag and PoodleFan mentioned. It is worth doing a google for Lupoid and reading some of the research or lack of it. Some vets have never heard of it which I find hard to take as it nearly killed my dog, and he will never fully recover. Melbourne Uni has the best research on it in Australia.

Possom Corner have you read the research on the efficacy of flaxseed oil in treating lupoid. Apparently some dogs improved dramatically with the addition of flaxseed oil as the sole treatment for it.

[PossumCorner]

... have you read the research on the efficacy of flaxseed oil in treating lupoid. Apparently some dogs improved dramatically with the addition of flaxseed oil as the sole treatment for it.

Yes, thanks for suggestion, - I do keep up with whatever is written on it wherever. I tried FSO with Frodo for a few months, it didn't seem to make a difference one way or the other. Now sticking to fish/fish oils as a food supplement, and keeping him off beef/red-meats, with a chicken based diet in general. Apparently once the virus is in the system it is there for life, and is in general life-shortening. I was lucky he didn't have any immunity reactions or shut-downs with his recent dog-attack injuries, he has bounced back from punctured lungs incredibly but there are no guarantees.