When your cat has torn out a claw your immediate response may be to panic. According to petplace.com, torn or broken nails are quite common in cats and rarely life-threatening. The key to treating a torn-out claw is an immediate response and proper care.
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Symptoms
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Typically your cat will be limping, crying and holding up the paw, and there may be some blood. If you witness the cat catching his claw on an object, try to find a solid piece of his claw. If you find a clear or white shell, this is the sheath. Your cat kneads and bites these sheaths off in order to expose a new, sharper claw. Finding the nail can help you identify the problem.
Home Treatment
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Torn-out cat claws can be cared for at home if they are not severe or if the veterinarian's office is not accessible right away. Approach your cat with caution--he is in pain and will be very sensitive at the area of injury. Your cat may even try to bite or claw to get away from you as a result of his pain and apprehension. According to petplace.com, you can use silver nitrate or styptic pencils to stop any bleeding if necessary; cornstarch and flour will also work as a substitute. Use your fingers or cat-claw trimmers to remove any loose fragments of his claw that are still remaining; loose pieces of a cat claw can become stuck on objects and cause the nail to tear even more.
Use warm water to clean any dirt that may have gotten inside the claw. Wrap your cat's paw with a loose, dry bandage. Check to make sure that the bandage isn't too tight; ensure the cat's circulation is not cut off. If the cat's paw looks spread out or fanned out, the bandaged is probably too tight. Aboutcatsonline.com reminds us that your cat scratches around in a litter pain that contains bacteria daily. If you do not cover the injured claw an infection is likely to occur.
Veterinarian Treatment
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Take your cat to see the veterinarian. Home care can be helpful, but should never replace the medical expertise of a veterinarian. The veterinarian can prescribe antibiotics for pain associated with a torn-out nail and can check for further damage. Anti-inflammatory medication may also be needed to reduce pain or swelling.
Preventive Care
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Prevent your cat from getting a torn-out claw by keeping his nails properly trimmed. Cut your cat's nails on regularly to avoid them growing too long and becoming lodged in an object. Be sure to look for the quick (the pink area of the nail that contains blood and tissue) and cut below this area. Supply your cat with plenty of scratching posts and toys that will provide a safe alternative for clawing; this will also save your furniture.
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