Quick Nail Help Please!

[Sandra777]

I'm almost sure I'm right but just want to be sure :)

Dallas has ripped basically the whole of the horn (hard outside part) off a front nail, the outside toe if it matters.

This will only grow back from the nail bed won't it? The horn doesn't regrow like skin does it?

Best course of action - what suggestions do people have.

I really really really want him to be sound ASAP not just for himself but because there's a double weekend of specialist shows Easter and the weekend after.

I would have thought having it cut off close to the toe would be the quickest and best? It doesn't seem to bother him and has stopped bleeding but is obviously not going to stand up to long term use and infection is always a worry.

[coogie]

Ouch, sorry to hear that Sandra777,

our boy Alfie did this some time ago, it bled a lot and he was limping so it was obviously hurting him quite a bit so I took him off to the vet to be on the safe side. They examined it and said he had lifted the claw from the nail bed and the remaining bits needed removing as it was so loose it would catch on everything and as well as being painful would most likely get infected if just left. They removed the bits and then he had antibiotics and tramadol for a couple days, he was sound after that. It was also an outside toe, can you see if there is any nail left? If so it might be safer to get it removed. They warned us that as he had caused some trauma to the nail bed his nail may be deformed on first regrowth and quite weak - it was - and he ripped it again around Christmas.

The whole thing fell off on its own this time so no need for any removal but another round of antibiotics and vet wrap this time as everywhere was very wet. The nail looks good this time as it is regrowing but if he does it again the vet has said they will need to remove the nail bed as it is unlikely to recover.Hope your boy is ok.

[Sandra777]

Thanks coogie - yes the nail itself is still there it's the hard outer horn he's managed to remove - don't even want to know how he did that! Basically he has a full nail but with no protective shell. Ouchy! He's being very brave though :)

[CBL]

Thanks coogie - yes the nail itself is still there it's the hard outer horn he's managed to remove - don't even want to know how he did that! Basically he has a full nail but with no protective shell. Ouchy! He's being very brave though

one of my greys did this to a dew claw tonight! I have just bandaged it up and will have another look at it in the morning. She didn't even flinch, we only noticed because of the blood drips